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Each year, federal inspectors find illegal levels of antibiotics in hundreds of older dairy cows bound for the slaughterhouse. Concerned that those antibiotics might also be contaminating the milk Americans drink, the Food and Drug Administration intended to begin tests this month on the milk from farms that had repeatedly sold cows tainted by drug residue.
Obama proposes national effort to ‘win the future’
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama called Tuesday night for Americans to unleash their creative spirits, set aside their partisan differences and come together around a common goal of out-competing other nations in a rapidly shifting global economy.
Financial meltdown was ‘avoidable,’ inquiry concludes
WASHINGTON — The 2008 financial crisis was an “avoidable” disaster caused by widespread failures in government regulation, corporate mismanagement and heedless risk-taking by Wall Street, according to the conclusions of a federal inquiry.
NRA clout hurts firearms research
In the wake of the shootings in Tucson, Ariz., the familiar questions inevitably resurfaced: Are communities where more people carry guns safer or less safe? Does the availability of high-capacity magazines increase deaths? Do more rigorous background checks make a difference?
More snow on the way
Another nor’easter is headed toward the Boston area, and it will bring more snowfall to the region tonight and tomorrow morning. However, as of Tuesday there was still a considerable amount of uncertainty as to the severity of the storm’s impact. The storm, which was centered over the Gulf of Mexico yesterday, will be tracking northeastward along the Atlantic coast of the United States throughout the day today. The exact track that the storm takes will dictate the amount of snow that we receive, since sharp precipitation gradients mean that a slight deviation in track direction can translate into a large difference in snowfall totals.
King’s Speech leads Oscar pack
LOS ANGELES — The Oscar race turned into a wild scramble Tuesday morning as The King’s Speech moved out front when nominations for the 83rd Academy Awards were announced. True Grit surged into second position, and The Social Network, which had seemed a front-runner,was matched by Inception, followed closely by The Fighter.
Comcast receives approval for NBC Universal merger
Comcast received government approval on Tuesday to acquire NBC Universal, emerging from a lengthy review with a list of conditions, the most important aimed at preventing the new media conglomerate from thwarting competition in online video.
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KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s attorney general expressed hope on Tuesday that a special court appointed by the president to look into election fraud would throw out the results of the country’s parliamentary elections, and predicted that the court would delay this week’s planned inauguration of a new Parliament.
India premier receives laurels abroad and brickbats at home
NEW DELHI — Few leaders are more respected globally than Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India. President Barack Obama has described him as a historic figure, close friend and valued adviser. (So, for that matter, did President George W. Bush.) When Newsweek ranked world leaders, Singh ranked first, winning praise for his modesty and incorruptibility.
Taps of dancer’s conversations add to Berlusconi scandal
ROME — A tabloid tidal wave washed over Italy on Tuesday as newspapers published wiretapped conversations from a nightclub dancer who said she had dallied with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi as a minor, but whether it would sweep Berlusconi out to sea was still anyone’s guess.
Census says gay parents find South more welcoming
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Being gay in this Southern city was once a lonely existence. Most people kept their sexuality to themselves, and they were reminded of the dangers of being openly gay when a gay church was bombed in the 1980s. These days, there are eight churches that openly welcome gay worshipers.
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The individuals and companies whose offshore account information may be detailed in Swiss banking documents disclosed to WikiLeaks could face U.S. prosecutors or go untouched, senior tax lawyers said on Tuesday.
Yet another winter storm
Yesterday’s storm system took a track similar to that of last week’s blizzard, but wasn’t accompanied by nearly as much cold air. Thus, we received the dreaded “wintry mix”; snow followed by sleet, freezing rain and rain, instead of all snow. Most of that should be out of the region today, leaving us with relatively dry conditions until the next storm system comes Thursday night into Friday. Different models have that system tracking differently, either eastward from the Ohio Valley or coming up the coast. In Cambridge, most, if not all, the precipitation associated with it should be snow (possibly around 6 inches). Following this, a high pressure will move in giving us a sunny but frigid weekend, with highs in the teens and lows in the single digits. Bundle up!
Doctors say Rep. Giffords’ condition points to survival
TUCSON, Ariz. — Just three days after a bullet passed through Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ brain, and one day before the president was scheduled to come here to address the shooting rampage in which she was wounded, doctors said Tuesday that Giffords’ chances of survival were certain. She is able to breathe on her own, although she remains on a ventilator as a precaution.
A dramatic taste of winter for today
The top weather story on this Jan. 12 becomes apparent just by looking outside! Heavy snow has moved into southern New England as a strengthening low pressure system plows up the East Coast. The heavier snow squalls should taper off by this evening. In Massachusetts, excluding the Cape, snowfall amounts will average around a foot before the nor’easter exits by tonight. In fact, Boston’s average January snowfall is 12 inches (the forecasted storm total!). Winds will be increasing through today to near 25 mph, creating some areas of blowing snow as well.
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BEIJING — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates warned Tuesday that North Korea was within five years of being able to strike the continental United States with an intercontinental ballistic missile and said that, combined with its expanding nuclear program, the country “is becoming a direct threat to the United States.”
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WASHINGTON — The presidential panel investigating the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico recommended Tuesday that Congress approve substantial new spending and sweeping new regulations for offshore oil operations at a time when the appetite for both is low.
Drug makers win support by Obama admin. in price dispute
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, following a lengthy internal debate, has unexpectedly come down on the side of pharmaceutical companies that are accused of overcharging public hospitals and clinics that care for large numbers of poor people.
Chinese military tests stealth fighter while Gates visits
BEIJING — China’s military conducted a test flight of a new stealth fighter jet Tuesday, overshadowing a high-profile visit by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates aimed at improving defense ties — and apparently catching China’s civilian leadership off guard.
Verizon announces plans to sell iPhone 4 early next month
Ending months of speculation, Verizon announced Tuesday that it would begin selling a version of the iPhone 4 early next month.