FDA finds antibiotics use in livestock is rising
The amount of antibiotics sold for use in livestock rose substantially in recent years, according to the Food and Drug Administration, a pattern that experts said was troubling given the efforts to battle antibiotic resistance in humans.
Satellite shows North Korea has upgraded launch station
SEOUL, South Korea — Recent commercial satellite imagery indicates that North Korea has finished upgrading its main satellite launching station, which is widely believed to be a test site for its intercontinental ballistic missile program, a U.S. research institute said Wednesday.
US to increase production of experimental Ebola drug
U.S. federal officials are planning to sharply increase production of ZMapp, which is viewed by many experts as the most promising experimental drug for treating people stricken by Ebola in West Africa.
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On Sept. 27, a pilot spotted a semicircular mass of moving bodies near Point Lay, Alaska. Pacific walruses, an estimated 35,000 of them, had pulled up tusk to tail on the beach. These animals like to come together in large numbers for protection and proximity. But scientists who study them are worried by gatherings like these because land is not the walrus’ preferred place to rest.
Protests erupt in Syria over bombings that killed children
BEIRUT — Protesters in the western Syrian city of Homs on Thursday demanded the ouster of the provincial governor and posted images of their demonstrations on social media — just as in the early days of the Syrian upheaval in 2011, before protests and crackdowns turned to war.
Arrival of October heralds transition to autumn
As September ends, the weather patterns in New England are undergoing a transition from a summer-like pattern, in which forecasts are dominated by sunshine and sea breezes punctuated by occasional showers, to a more fall-like pattern, in which temperatures and precipitation begin to fluctuate more wildly with the comings and goings of frontal systems. October also signals a general cool-down: While temperatures in Boston reached 87°F (31°C) this past Sunday, normal high temperatures will dip down to the mid-50s °F by the end of the month.
Vatican investigating convicted US bishop
The only U.S. bishop ever convicted of shielding a pedophile priest is now under investigation by the Vatican.
SCOTUS blocks order restoring early voting in Ohio
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday blocked an appeals court ruling that would have restored seven days of early voting in Ohio.
Deaths tied to flawed GM ignition rise to 23
The number of deaths linked to General Motors’ defective ignition switch has risen again — to 23, according to figures posted Monday by the program set up to compensate victims.
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Fifteen people were shot and wounded, one critically, at a nightclub in Miami early Sunday, officials said.
Hong Kong protesters defy officials’ call to disperse
HONG KONG — A wave of protest in Hong Kong further engulfed the city Monday as thousands of residents defied a government call to abandon street blockades, students boycotted classes and the city’s influential bar association added its condemnation of a police crackdown on protesters.
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United Airlines has been reprising its old advertising slogan about the “friendly skies.” But some airports think the airline was a bit less than friendly when it formed a partnership with the ride-sharing company Uber without seeking airport input.
Racketeering trial opens in Atlanta Schools cheating scandal
ATLANTA — The criminal trial of a dozen public school educators opened here Monday with prosecutors alleging that the teachers and administrators had engaged in a “widespread, cleverly disguised” conspiracy to cheat on standardized test scores in an effort to protect their jobs and win bonuses.
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LONDON — In the world of drones, Europe is out to show that whatever the United States can do, it can do better.
Ferguson Police Chief offers apology to Brown’s family
CHICAGO — The police chief of Ferguson, Missouri, issued a rare public apology Thursday for the death of Michael Brown, addressing the Brown family directly in a short video posted online.
Beautiful warm weekend in store
Yesterday, a coastal low pressure system just missed us as it passed offshore, bringing overcast skies and a cool northeast wind to Cambridge. Today will be warmer, with a high temperature of 70°F (21°C) and mostly sunny skies thanks to a high pressure system building in from the west. Expect north winds becoming northeasterly at around 10 mph.
Shorts (left)
The Obama administration Wednesday issued new guidelines intended to strengthen the oversight of federally funded biology research that could inadvertently produce bioweapons.
New Harvard investment chief; Yale sees high returns
As Harvard named a new management chief in its bid to improve the returns on its huge portfolio, Yale University reported Wednesday that its fund had earned a 20.2 percent return for the fiscal year, a big payoff for a strategy that was criticized in the wake of the financial crisis. The developments intensified the spotlight on the investment practices of the Ivy League colleges and the high stakes for their endowments.
Palestinian factions agree to resolve differences, leaders say
JERUSALEM — Leaders of rival Palestinian factions said Thursday that they had agreed to resolve their differences and allow the Palestinian Authority to return to the Gaza Strip so reconstruction could begin there next month.
Runner-up in Afghan vote strikes conciliatory tone
KABUL, Afghanistan — The runner-up in Afghanistan’s bitterly disputed presidential election, Abdullah Abdullah, struck a conciliatory note toward President-elect Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in a speech Thursday in which he confirmed that he would join the government as its chief executive officer.