Shorts (left)
The head of the Central Bank of Iran resigned Sunday, bringing the number of key economic figures who have left President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s Cabinet to three this month.
Greek Forest Fires Continue To Advance; 12 More Killed
At least 12 more people were reported dead Sunday in fierce forest fires in Greece, as walls of flame, though slowed in somewhat calmer winds, continued to consume homes and to advance on the ruins where the Olympic Games were first played.
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The retirement of thousands of baby boomer teachers coupled with the departure of younger teachers frustrated by the stress of working in low-performing schools is fueling a crisis in teacher turnover that is costing school districts substantial amounts of money as they scramble to fill their ranks for the fall term.
Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki Angry At Two American Senators’ Criticism
Prime Minister Nouri Kamal al-Maliki on Sunday extended his tongue-lashing of foreign politicians who have questioned his government, saying that Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Carl Levin needed to “start making sense again” after the senators, both Democrats, called for his ouster.
Comfort Is in the Air
While freshmen and first-year graduate students are likely being comforted by Orientation leaders and various MIT administrators, mother nature is providing comfort in her own way. Not only was it hot on Saturday, where Boston tied the all-time record high temperature of 96°F, it was also humid. Generally, dew point readings above 60°F is considered humid and over 70°F is oppressive. We topped off at 74°F Saturday afternoon, a reading normally observed near the Gulf of Mexico. Is it always this humid in Boston? According to the National Climatic Data Center, the average dew point reading in Boston is 62°F for August and a much drier 55°F for September.
California Struggles to Resolve Disruptive Financial Deadlock
California lawmakers scrambled Wednesday to end a deadlock over the state’s overdue budget, as $1 billion in payments to hospitals, nursing homes, colleges and dozens of state suppliers ground to a halt.
House Votes to Ensure Equal Leave Time; Bill Unlikely to Pass Congress
House Democrats, in their latest challenge to Bush administration war policy, voted on Thursday to limit how quickly American troops can be sent back to Iraq after serving a rotation there.
Minnesota Interstate Bridge Collapses, Kills Seven People
An Interstate highway bridge in downtown Minneapolis loaded with rush-hour traffic dropped more than 60 feet into the Mississippi River on Wednesday night, sending at least 50 vehicles and passengers into the water.
European Bank Announces September Interest Rate Rise to Control Inflation
The European Central Bank signaled Thursday that it would raise interest rates in September to curb inflation amid an expanding economy. Its president, Jean-Claude Trichet, also vowed to pay “great attention” to volatile developments in global financial markets.
Shorts (left)
President Bush said Thursday that the United States would freeze the property and assets of anyone trying to undermine Lebanon’s democratically elected government — a move intended as a sharp warning to Syria and its ally, Hezbollah, not to meddle in Lebanese affairs.
Shorts (right)
Sudan’s foreign minister told reporters Wednesday that the government supported the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force for Darfur, as authorized by the Security Council, while a number of countries in Africa, Asia and Europe volunteered to send troops to join it.
Head to the Beach
My advice to you: head to the beach if you can. Today and tomorrow will be very hot and humid, making the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean feel downright pleasant. Watch out for possible thunderstorms, some of which could be severe. If you plan to be outside, drink plenty of water to prevent heat exhaustion and remember the sunscreen. Sunday’s forecast shows some relief from the heat, and a passing high pressure system will ensure a sunny day.
Senate Approves New Lobbying Constraints, Bans Private Gifts
The Senate gave final approval Thursday to a far-reaching package of new ethics and lobbying rules, with an overwhelming majority of Republicans and Democrats agreeing to better police the relationship between lawmakers and lobbyists.
Palestinian Militants Killed in Gaza During Israeli Incursion
At least 11 Palestinian militants were killed in airstrikes and armed clashes during an Israeli army incursion into central Gaza on Thursday, Palestinian medical officials said. It was one of the bloodiest days for Hamas since it took control of the Gaza Strip three weeks ago.
Health Care Becomes a Major Issue in Presidential Campaigns
There is no better measure of the power of the health care issue than this: Eighteen months before Election Day, presidential candidates in both parties are promising to overhaul the system and cover more — if not all — of the 44.8 million people without insurance.
Domenici Breaks With President, Republican Support For War Fades
Support among Republicans for President Bush's Iraq policy eroded further Thursday as another senior lawmaker, Sen. Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico, broke with the White House just as congressional Democrats prepared to renew their challenge to the war.
Four Muslims Convicted After Failed U.K. Terrorist Attempt
Even as investigators tried to untangle the complicated web of connections among the suspects in last week's failed car bombings, four Muslim men were convicted of terrorist offenses in two separate trials in Britain on Thursday.
Shorts (right)
With the parliament and the Cabinet barely able to function, some senior political figures in Iraq's government have begun reaching out to try to address a long-stagnating list of legislation seen as crucial to the country's future.
Shorts (left)
In what may be one of the costliest consumer warranty repairs in history, Microsoft announced Thursday that it would spend up to $1.15 billion to fix failing Xbox 360 game machine consoles.
Get Lucky This Weekend!
While watching fireworks on Wednesday night, the revelry was kept in check by a band of frontal precipitation that passed during the festivities. Now, though, as we head away from the 4th and toward the weekend, the future is bright.