Shorts (right)
Tens of thousands of protesters marched through the streets of this capital city on Thursday bearing signs and chanting slogans against President Mikheil Saakashvili, who took office five years ago with promises of a progressive, pro-Western government.
British Anti-Terror Chief Resigns Over Photograph
Britain’s most powerful counterterrorism police officer resigned Thursday, a day after being photographed holding a document marked “SECRET” that outlined details of a major anti-terrorism operation. The resignation is the latest embarrassment for the Metropolitan Police Service, which is also being investigated for its handling of, and possible responsibility for, the death of a passer-by during protests at last week’s G20 meetings.
Investors Cautious Even As Bank Predicts Record Profits
As one of the most dizzying bear market rallies in Wall Street history enters its second month, a nagging question faces investors: Is the stock market making real progress, or merely glossing over deeper problems in the U.S. economy that will trigger a new wave of losses?
To Gain Amnesty, Mugabe’s Lieutenants Use More Violence
President Robert Mugabe’s top lieutenants are trying to force the political opposition into granting them amnesty for their past crimes by abducting, detaining and torturing opposition officials and activists, according to senior members of Mugabe’s party.
Take It Easy On the Meteorologists
Who knew being a meteorologist could be such a dangerous job? In Brazil, a forecaster who predicted a big storm that never materialized was threatened with a six month prison term. In Peru, a local TV weatherman who failed to predict a flash food was taken away by a furious mob and lynched in retaliation. Although such unreasonable or violent displays are unheard of domestically, meteorologists often take the blame for what are perceived as bad forecasts through vindictive calls or e-mails.
Poll Finds Brightening Outlook on U.S. Economy
Americans have grown more optimistic about the economy and the direction of the country in the 11 weeks since President Barack Obama was inaugurated, suggesting that Obama is enjoying some success in his critical task of rebuilding the nation’s confidence, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.
Credit Markets AreShowing Signs of Life
It is hard to miss the news: The stock market has been on a bit of a roll lately. But with far less fanfare, the credit markets, where the financial crisis began, are also showing signs of a spring awakening.
Shorts (left)
As the nation’s second-largest processor of pistachios agreed Monday to recall its entire 2008 crop despite no confirmed illnesses, the Obama administration issued a tough warning to all food processors that sloppy practices would no longer be tolerated.
Cash-Strapped Courts Press For Fines and Fees Owed
Valerie Gainous paid her debt to society, but almost went to jail because of a debt to Florida’s courts.
Report: Students Struggle Under English-Only Rule
Students not fluent in English have floundered in Boston schools since voters approved a law change six years ago requiring school districts to teach them all subjects in English rather than their native tongue, according to a report being released Wednesday.
Record Floods in North Dakota
If you thought yesterday’s rain was miserable, just imagine what residents along the Red River of the North in North Dakota and Minnesota are going through! Frozen, saturated ground with melting snow and the rain from a few storms spelled a worsening disaster. There were massive sand-bagging efforts by residents to keep the river’s waters in its banks. The recent flood crest of 40 ft. in Fargo (March 28) has since started to decline; the water level is now at 33 ft., which is still considered a flood. But those upstream of us in Canada are not safe yet. The Red River is expected to crest for them sometime between April 8 and 17. They are also still dealing with ice jams blocking and clogging the river.
Cambridge Biotech Firm Is Quietly Shutting Down
Another once-promising life sciences company has died.
Shorts (left)
A once-obscure accounting rule that infuriated banks, who blamed it for worsening the financial crisis, was changed Thursday to give banks more discretion in reporting the value of mortgage securities.
Early Alarm For Church On Abusers in The Clergy
The founder of a Roman Catholic religious order that ran retreat centers for troubled priests warned American bishops in forceful letters dating back to 1952 that pedophiles should be removed from the priesthood because they could not be cured.
April Showers, Rain, or Drizzle?
Meteorologists have many words for water falling from the sky. The most general term is precipitation, which includes liquid and solid water.
19-Count Indictment Alleges Corrupt Blagojevich ‘Enterprise’
Rod R. Blagojevich, the ousted Democratic governor of Illinois, used his chance to fill the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama as one more money-making plan in what federal prosecutors described Thursday as “The Blagojevich Enterprise.”
Judge Says Some at Bagram Can Challenge Their Detention
A federal judge ruled Thursday that some prisoners held by the U.S. military in Afghanistan have a right to challenge their imprisonment, dealing a blow to government efforts to detain terrorism suspects for extended periods without court oversight.
Shorts (left)
They are an extremely odd couple — he is short and hyperactive, she is dour and shy. He believes in the power of the state and big interventions; she believes in a softer role for the state, guiding and prodding the market. Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel don’t even get along very well, aides to both leaders say. He has made fun of her accent in private meetings, the aides say, and she says he is self-centered and impetuous.
Shorts (right)
Facing fallen endowments and needier students, many colleges are looking more favorably on wealthier applicants as they make their admissions decisions this year.
First Khmer Rouge Trial Opens a Torture House Door
Testimony opened Monday at the first trial of a Khmer Rouge official, with a detailed description of the internal workings and methods of interrogation in the regime’s central torture house.