Koch Industries quashes global warming parody
In December, a fake news release was sent out by a group claiming to be Koch Industries, the oil processing company owned by Charles D.G. Koch ’57 and David H. Koch ’62, the Republican donors, arts benefactors and global warming skeptics.
Iran uses force against protests as Persian Gulf region erupts
Hundreds of riot police officers in Iran beat protesters and fired tear gas Monday to contain the most significant street protests since the end of the 2009 uprising there, as security forces around the region moved — sometimes brutally — to prevent new unrest in sympathy with the opposition victory in Egypt.
Trade and monetary issues top agenda at G-20 meeting
PARIS — Developed economies still recovering from the financial crisis are looking for ways to regain momentum as the global economy shifts in favor of China and other emerging markets.
With $9 billion in cuts, Gates sees crisis in military budget
WASHINGTON — Even as the Obama administration on Monday rolled out its budget for 2012, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates was dueling with Congress over military spending for this year, saying the Pentagon cannot do its job with cuts of more than $9 billion.
New system to add internet addresses as numbers run out
Who could have guessed that 4.3 billion Internet connections wouldn’t be enough?
Shorts (right)
WASHINGTON — The House on Monday voted to reauthorize and extend through Dec. 8 three ways in which Congress expanded the FBI’s counterterrorism powers after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Shorts (left)
President Barack Obama proposed a 2012 Department of Education budget Tuesday that would, if approved, significantly increase federal spending for public schools, and maintain the maximum Pell grant — the cornerstone financial-aid program — at $5,550 per college student.
Glimpses of springtime
Perhaps Punxsutawney Phil was right on Groundhog Day when he predicted an early end to winter this year. Since Feb. 2, there has been no accumulating snowfall in Boston, and about 10 inches of existing snow cover has melted away. Additionally, this week will feature some of the highest temperatures of the year so far. Yesterday’s high temperature of 56°F was our highest recorded temperature since Jan. 1, and temperatures could reach the 50s once again by the end of the week.
US faces stark choice as Mubarak clings to office
WASHINGTON — President Hosni Mubarak’s refusal to step down Thursday, after a day of rumors galvanized the crowds in Cairo, confronts the Obama administration with a stark choice: Break decisively with Mubarak or stick to its call for an “orderly transition” that may no longer be tenable.
Iraq offers to bring its refugees home from Egypt and Yemen
BAGHDAD — As unrest shakes Egypt, Iraq is seizing the moment to make an audacious pitch to thousands of its citizens living abroad: Come back — we’re stable by comparison.
US proposes new management plan for national forest system
The federal Department of Agriculture unveiled a new plan Thursday to manage the national forest system that government officials said would give them more flexibility in responding to modern stresses like climate change while also heading off lawsuits.
Sole Fed governor with close ties to conservatives resigns
WASHINGTON — Kevin M. Warsh, who was the Fed’s chief liaison to Wall Street, will resign from the central bank’s board at the end of March, giving President Barack Obama yet another chance to leave his stamp on the Fed.
UNTITLED
With airlines imposing fees for checked bags, priority seating and access to airport lounges, finding a good fare is just the starting point. Ticket buyers then need to check multiple websites to figure out the best deal.
Shorts (right)
BRUSSELS — The sexual abuse crisis in the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands deepened Thursday when news reports said one of its senior figures had shielded a pedophile priest.
Quiet weather continues
After a seemingly endless string of strong winter storms during January and the first week of February, the quiet weather this past week has been a welcome reprieve. January was a snowier- and wetter-than-average month for Boston, with 38.3 inches of snow and 4.57 inches of total precipitation (liquid equivalent), compared with normal values of 13.5 inches and 3.92 inches, respectively. The 38.3 inches of snow fell just short of the January record, which was 43.3 inches in 2005. Thankfully for those who are weary of shoveling, the quiet weather of the past week should continue through the middle of next week. There are a couple of clipper systems lined up to move rapidly through New England over the weekend, but their relatively weak strength and lack of moisture will keep any precipitation limited to a few scattered snow showers.
Republican leaders promise push for more cuts
WASHINGTON — House Republican leaders said Thursday that they would accede to demands from conservatives and dig deeper into the federal budget for billions of dollars in additional savings this year, exhibiting the power of the Tea Party movement and increasing chances of a major fiscal clash with Democrats.
Sudan leader to accept secession of southern region
KAMPALA, Uganda — With the announcement of final voting results, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan said Monday that his government would accept the choice of the long-embattled region of southern Sudan to separate from the north, setting the stage for the creation of the world’s newest country this summer.
Cairo moves towards normalcy as protests continue in the capital
CAIRO — As Egypt’s revolt entered its third week the government of President Hosni Mubarak sought to seize the initiative from protesters still crowding Tahrir Square on Monday, offering a pay raise for government employees, announcing a date for opening the stock market and projecting an air of normalcy in a city reeling just days ago.
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WASHINGTON — Gone for now are the likes of the taxpayer-financed teapot museum, or studies on the mating habits of crabs.
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LONDON — Lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said at a court hearing on Monday that they think he will not receive a fair trial if he is extradited to Sweden to face accusations of sexual misconduct.