Shorts (left)
WASHINGTON — The CIA is secretly collecting bulk records of international money transfers — including transactions into and out of the United States — under the same law that the National Security Agency uses for its huge database of Americans’ phone records, according to current and former government officials.
Last shipment of nuclear fuel from Russian bombs departs
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — The final shipment of civilian nuclear reactor fuel made from Soviet atomic bombs left port for the United States on Thursday, ending a post-Cold War program that has been a long-running boon for the American nuclear power industry.
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TOKYO — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan is now under more pressure to deliver on his much-promoted effort to improve the country’s long-term growth prospects, after a government estimate on Thursday showed that the economy had slowed in the quarter that ended in September.
Obama tells lawmakers to give Iran sanctions more time
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, defending his diplomatic efforts in the face of congressional criticism, pleaded with lawmakers Thursday to hold off on imposing new sanctions against Iran while negotiators seek a six-month interim agreement that would freeze Tehran’s nuclear program.
Hezbollah leader says his forces will remain in Syria
LONDON — The head of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group whose armed followers are fighting in Syria on the side of President Bashar Assad, pledged Thursday that his forces would remain there as long as necessary.
In Venezuela, campaign takes on form of a fire sale
CARACAS, Venezuela — The transportation minister appeared on live television from an auto-parts store, trumpeting prices that had been slashed in half, at least. A top regional official, broadcasting from another shop, boasted that prices of toys and other goods had been cut to the bone. From an appliance store, the commerce minister called on shoppers to buy washers and dryers at new, low-low prices.
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WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama, after nearly five years of evangelizing exercise and good eating habits, will begin a new initiative on Tuesday that seeks to increase the number of low-income students who pursue a college degree. The goals of the program reflect the first lady’s own life and will immerse her more directly in her husband’s policies.
Problems with federal health portal stymie Medicaid
WASHINGTON — Problems with the federal health insurance website have prevented tens of thousands of low-income people from signing up for Medicaid even though they are eligible, federal and state officials say, undermining one of the chief goals of the 2010 health care law.
Shopping spree in China sets record in online sales
HANGZHOU, China — Unmarried men across China used to spend Nov. 11 lamenting their single status with a drink. Now that unofficial holiday has become the world’s largest online shopping event.
Arctic air mass brings chilly temperatures
A frontal passage early this morning brought the first snow showers of the season to our region. While at the time of this writing it was unknown whether Logan Airport would record measurable snowfall, it would be comparable timing to the date of the first snowfall last year (on Nov. 7, 2012, 0.10” of snow was recorded at Logan Airport).
Syrian opposition group votes to attend peace talks
BEIRUT — During the fractious weekend debates that ended with the main Syrian exile opposition coalition yielding to international pressure by dropping its refusal to hold peace talks with President Bashar Assad’s government, tensions ran so high that one prominent coalition member slapped another in the face, participants in the gathering said.
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GENEVA — As Secretary of State John Kerry and foreign ministers from other world powers sought to work out an interim agreement to constrain Iran’s nuclear program, the Iranian government’s insistence on formal recognition of its “right” to enrich uranium emerged as a major obstacle, diplomats said Sunday.
Supreme Court takes up challenges to union practices
Labor leaders and businesses are closely watching a Supreme Court case to be argued Wednesday that involves a popular strategy used by unions to successfully organize hundreds of thousands of workers.
US signals flexibility as Iran nuclear talks resume
GENEVA — Negotiators from Iran and six world powers convened Thursday as U.S. officials signaled that the United States is prepared to offer Iran limited relief from economic sanctions if Tehran agrees to halt its nuclear program and reverse part of it.
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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama bowed Thursday night to mounting criticism that he misled the American people about the health care law, apologizing to people who were forced off their health insurance plans by the Affordable Care Act despite “assurances from me.”
British intelligence chiefs say Snowden leaks hurt safety
LONDON — Britain’s intelligence chiefs, in unprecedented public testimony before Parliament, said Thursday that the published leaks of secret documents stolen by Edward J. Snowden, the former U.S. intelligence analyst, had damaged their ability to keep Britain safe.
Records cite lavish gifts in Navy bribery case
After a ship-servicing contractor promised to arrange prostitutes for a Navy commander and his buddies in Malaysia and Singapore in 2009, according to court records, the officer, Cmdr. Jose Luis Sanchez, shot back a Facebook message saying, “Yummy … daddy like.”
Greek police raid occupied broadcasting station
ATHENS, Greece — Greek riot police officers raided the headquarters of the country’s former state broadcaster, ERT, on Thursday, forcibly removing dozens of staff members who had been occupying the building since June when authorities abruptly shut down the organization, citing wasteful spending.
Super typhoon in Pacific and quiet weather here
A high pressure system moving into our region today will keep the long weekend mostly dry, with temperatures in the upper 40°Fs to low 50°Fs. There is a slight chance for a few showers on Saturday night as a weak clipper system passes by, but it is more likely we will just see increased clouds. Monday looks to be a pleasant Veterans Day before a cold front moves in Monday night, ushering in much colder temperatures for the middle of next week.