Church battle over birth control coverage was well planned
When after much internal debate the Obama administration finally announced its decision to require religiously affiliated hospitals and universities to cover birth control in their insurance plans, the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops were fully prepared for battle.
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Individual homeowners will probably have to wait months before they know if they will benefit from the $26 billion mortgage settlement announced Thursday.
India explores opportunities in Iran, denting sanctions
India emerged as a major new irritant Thursday in Western efforts to isolate Iran, announcing that it was sending a large trade delegation there within weeks to exploit opportunities created by U.S. and European anti-nuclear sanctions that are increasingly disrupting Iran’s economy.
In Europe, stagnation as a way of life
PARIS — For all the struggles that Greece has gone through to satisfy its demanding lenders, Europe’s troubles are not going away.
Demonstrations whisper of an Arab spring in Jordan
KARAK, Jordan — Beneath a statue of a glowering Saladin, a medieval Islamic warrior, a crowd unfurled banners and began chanting protests against the country’s leadership in its palaces and government offices far below the precipices of this ancient fortress town.
Siege paralyses Syrian city as shelling and toll mount
BEIRUT — The embattled Syrian city of Homs remained under siege for a sixth day Thursday, with sporadic tank shells ripping into contested neighborhoods, residents cowering at home and medical supplies dwindling, according to telephone interviews with residents.
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FRANKFURT, Germany — The European Central Bank left its main interest rate unchanged Thursday, as policymakers waited to see whether signs of improving growth meant that the eurozone economy had already put the worst behind it.
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BRUSSELS — The European Commission said Monday that it would continue charging airlines for their greenhouse gas emissions, despite an announcement from China that its carriers would be forbidden to pay without its permission.
Ski slopes barren as lack of snowfall continues; Boston to stay temperate
This season of below average snowfall looks to continue through this week. Computer models indicate no threat of significant snowfall over the next 7 days. This is not good news for skiers and boarders who wouldn’t mind a little fresh powder. These conditions are in stark contrast to last year. According to the National Weather Service, the average depth of snow in ME, NH, VT, and upstate NY is currently 9 inches, which is 16 inches less than last year.
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BERLIN — After weeks of protests, Romania’s prime minister resigned Monday, the latest European leader to fall victim to a mood of public outrage over austerity measures and stagnant growth.
Europe’s banks reluctant to aid companies in need of cash
LONDON — European governments are not the only ones struggling with debt — so are some of the region’s companies.
Obama imposes freeze on Iran property in US
WASHINGTON — The White House moved to tighten sanctions against Iran on Monday because of the country’s suspect nuclear program, freezing all property of the Central Bank of Iran, other Iranian financial institutions and the Iranian government in the United States.
For both parties, a twisted path to financing a campaign
WASHINGTON — It is one of the most convoluted arrangements in Washington for complying with campaign finance laws — and that is saying something.
US closes embassy in Syria as mayhem escalates
BEIRUT — The United States closed its embassy in Syria on Monday and withdrew its staff in the face of escalating mayhem that U.S. officials blamed on the Syrian government’s unbridled repression of an 11-month-old uprising.
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BRUSSELS — The European Central Bank may forgo future profits on its Greek bonds as efforts remain under way to fill a financial hole that has been obstructing a second bailout for Greece.
As Syria wobbles, Iran feels the weight of an alliance
As anti-government forces in Syria’s violent uprising have increased the pressure on President Bashar Assad to step down, Iran, his main Middle East supporter, also finds itself under siege, undermining a once-powerful partnership and longtime U.S. foe.
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Iran said Tuesday that a team of United Nations nuclear inspectors visiting since the weekend had concluded “constructive and positive” talks with Iranian officials, with further discussions planned at an unspecified date.
A big Romney win in Florida bolsters his campaign
TAMPA, Fla. — Mitt Romney rolled to victory in the Florida primary Tuesday, dispatching an insurgent threat from Newt Gingrich and reclaiming his dominant position in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
CBO says economy is projected to remain sluggish
WASHINGTON — The Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday that the economy would remain sluggish, with high unemployment, and that the federal budget deficit would exceed $1 trillion in 2012 for the fourth consecutive year.
Riding personal data, Facebook is going public at $80–100 billion
Facebook, the vast online social network, is poised to file for a public stock offering Wednesday that will probably value the company at $80 billion to $100 billion, cashing in on the fuel that powers the engine of Internet commerce: personal data.