Iran opposition requests rally supporting uprisings in region
TEHRAN, Iran — With democracy tremors rocking the Arab world, Iran’s opposition has challenged its hard-line leaders to allow a peaceful demonstration — ostensibly in support of the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.
Thai and Cambodian troops clash violently at the border
THNAL BEK, Cambodia — Refugees clustered around cooking fires at a schoolhouse here as Cambodia and Thailand prepared for the possibility of further violence after a fourth day of shelling Monday at their disputed border.
Chilly conditions coming mid-week, and light snow
Light snow with a mix of rain is likely today, followed by a plunge in temperatures mid-week. A low pressure disturbance moving northeastward will provide the snow, but not in amounts that were common in previous storms this season. Today’s storm is far out in the Atlantic Ocean and not close enough to bring large amounts of precipitation to our region. As the storm continues to move away, clear skies and a cold air mass will settle across New England. Winds will also increase tonight, with some wind chill readings just below 0°F (-18°C). Despite the chilly February temperatures, mostly sunny skies will dominate the forecast period. Breezy conditions are likely through Thursday as well, with the strongest winds occurring tonight and into Wednesday.
Muslim Brotherhood’s stance in Egypt is strong but unclear
WASHINGTON — After maintaining a low profile in protests led largely by secular young Egyptians, the Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s largest opposition force, appeared to be taking a more assertive role Thursday, issuing a statement asking for President Hosni Mubarak to step aside for a transitional government.
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TUCSON, Ariz. — Seconds after gunfire erupted outside a supermarket here last month, Randy Gardner, one of those struck during the barrage, said another potential crisis immediately entered his mind.
Snow keeps piling on
As our area recovers from its latest bout of wintry weather, yet another snowstorm is set to impact the region this weekend. Once again, a coastal low pressure system currently located over the southeastern states will make its way northward, bringing with it wintry precipitation for Saturday and Sunday night.
Virginia to ask Supreme Court to rule on health care law
Virginia’s attorney general announced Thursday that he hoped to bypass an initial appellate review by asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider the constitutionality of the Obama health care law on an expedited basis.
Jordan’s King meets with Muslim Brotherhood, fights corruption
AMMAN, Jordan — King Abdullah II, struggling to stave off growing public discontent, widened his political outreach Thursday and met with the Muslim Brotherhood for the first time in nearly a decade. He also asserted in a statement that he would fight corruption and foster a broad national dialogue.
Global food prices continue to rise, last month record high, says U.N.
UNITED NATIONS — Global food prices are moving ever higher, hitting record levels last month as a jittery market reacted to unpredictable weather and tight supplies, according to a U.N. report released Thursday.
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SANAA, Yemen — Thousands of pro- and anti-government demonstrators held peaceful protests in this impoverished capital Thursday, playing out themes that have rocked nations across the Arab world as autocratic leaders struggle to press back the roaring demands of movements hungry for democracy, accountability and the rule of law.
JPMorgan executives doubted Madoff months before collapse
Senior executives at JPMorgan Chase expressed serious doubts about the legitimacy of Bernard L. Madoff’s investment business more than 18 months before his Ponzi scheme collapsed but continued to do business with him, according to internal bank documents made public in a lawsuit Thursday.
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BEIJING — In another era, China’s leaders might have been content to let discussion of the protests in Egypt float around among private citizens, then fizzle out.
Sotomayor reflects on advice, race and public perception at UChicago talk
CHICAGO — Justice Sonia Sotomayor, speaking at a law school here Monday, said she had “taken heat” at her Supreme Court confirmation hearings two summers ago in part because she was the first Hispanic nominee.
Second judge strikes down Obama health care law
A second federal judge ruled Monday that it had been unconstitutional for Congress to enact a health care law that requires all Americans to obtain commercial insurance, evening the score at 2-2 in the lower courts as the conflicting opinions begin their path to the Supreme Court.
Afghan stoning video rekindles outcry in double murder case
KABUL, Afghanistan — Police officers investigating the double murder of a couple who were stoned to death in a prominent case five months ago could hardly have asked for more abundant evidence.
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Three years ago, Dr. Bradley Thach, a professor of pediatrics at Washington University in St. Louis, published findings that had the potential to upend nurseries across the nation, and perhaps save some lives too.
Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal poses challenge to US policy
WASHINGTON — New U.S. intelligence assessments have concluded that Pakistan has steadily expanded its nuclear arsenal since President Barack Obama came to office, and that it is building the capability to surge ahead in the production of nuclear-weapons material, putting it on a path to overtake Britain as the world’s fifth-largest nuclear weapons power.
Egyptian army renounces use of force, officials offer talks
CAIRO — The government of Egypt’s authoritarian president, Hosni Mubarak, shook Monday night, first as the Egyptian Army declared that it would not use force against protesters demanding his ouster, and then as Mubarak’s most trusted adviser offered to talk with the political opposition.
Messy weather arrives (again)
After a very stormy January for New England, yet another storm arrives just in time for February. A broad low pressure system, currently over the central Midwest as of noon, will meander its way across the eastern lower 48. Across the Great Plains and into the northern Midwest, snow, ice and strong winds will cause hazardous travel conditions for many of these areas. In only one day, this particular system will be making headlines in our region.
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MOSCOW — A day after an airport suicide bombing that investigators suspect was organized by Islamic militants, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Tuesday vowed retribution. President Dmitry A. Medvedev lashed out at low-ranking subordinates at the airport for failing to stop the attack, and a number of initiatives were announced to prevent future terrorist acts.