Breezy day to precede potential snow on Thursday
The abnormally warm and dry weather that has characterized this winter season has continued this week, with temperatures upwards of 51°F recorded yesterday on the roof of the Green Building. However, after a breezy day today, a developing storm system to the west could bring wintry weather for the second part of the week. A low pressure system currently developing over the Central Plains will bring moisture and precipitation over New England tomorrow night, and temperatures could be cold enough to support snow through the day on Thursday.
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J.K. Rowling, the British author whose Harry Potter fantasy series ignited a passion for reading in millions of children around the world, is emerging from a five-year publishing hiatus with a new novel — this time for adults.
Wounded journalists appeal for evacuation from Homs
PARIS — A French reporter wounded in the Syrian government’s bombardment of Homs made a video appeal on Thursday for a cease-fire and evacuation for urgent medical attention.
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BEIJING — The first official talks between the United States and North Korea since the coming to power of the youthful new North Korean leader were “serious and substantial,” the senior U.S. negotiator said Thursday, and would extend into a second day.
Rain today, colder days ahead for this weekend
The weather these past two days given us a taste of spring. The high temperatures yesterday and Wednesday were 15°F and 17°F above the normal 40°F, respectively. That warmth, however, will not last, as temperatures will struggle to reach 40°F tomorrow in association with a shortwave moving through. While this shortwave is expected to bring several inches of snow to areas of central and western Massachusetts and New Hampshire, here in Cambridge we are primarily expected to receive rain. The rain should begin to taper off in the afternoon, ending by 8 p.m. or so. Following the passage of this system, high pressure will build into the region, keeping the weekend dry with seasonable temperatures. However, tomorrow could be quite breezy following the departure of the low pressure, so it could feel a bit colder than the forecasted high of 43°F.
Bank of America breaks with Fannie Mae, can turn to other buyers
Bank of America said Thursday that it would no longer sell new mortgages to Fannie Mae, underscoring tensions in a fight between two giants of the home loan market over billions in losses in the housing bubble.
Seven Marines killed in helicopter collision during training exercise
LOS ANGELES — Seven Marines were killed Wednesday night when two helicopters collided during training exercises in the desert along the California-Arizona border, the Marine Corps said Thursday.
Obama sends apology as Afghan protests rage
KABUL, Afghanistan — The potential scope of the fallout from the burning of several copies of the Quran by U.S. military personnel this week became chillingly clear on Thursday as an Afghan army soldier turned his gun on NATO troops, killing two, while a crowd nearby protested the desecration of the Muslim holy book.
Settlement talks pick up ahead of BP oil spill trial
NEW ORLEANS — Nearly two years after the oil rig explosion that killed 11 people and spilled millions of barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, the myriad plaintiffs suing BP and other companies over the disaster are about to get their day in court.
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BRUSSELS — After months of tense negotiations, eurozone finance ministers worked deep into the night Monday to try to agree on a second giant bailout to bring Greece back from the brink of default, subject to strict conditions and in exchange for yet more severe austerity measures.
Mexico and US agree on oil and gas development in Gulf
WASHINGTON — The United States and Mexico reached agreement Monday on regulating oil and gas development along their maritime border in the Gulf of Mexico, ending years of negotiations and potentially opening more than a million acres to deepwater drilling.
Mitt Romney goes after Rick Santorum on budget
CINCINNATI — Mitt Romney was barely six minutes into a campaign speech here Monday afternoon, dwelling on the success story of a local bioscience company, when he broached a topic that is suddenly confounding his Republican presidential aspirations: Rick Santorum.
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CAIRO — Two Iranian warships docked in a Syrian port Monday as a senior Iranian lawmaker denounced the possibility that the U.S. might arm the Syrian opposition, adding to the international tensions over the nearly yearlong crackdown by President Bashar Assad’s government.
Unusual warm spell to continue
With sports stores already advertising their “end-of-season” sales and cyclists comfortably riding outdoors, it seems that Cambridge completely skipped over the snowy winter season that normally clogs up its roads and sidewalks. Next time you complain about how “freezing” it feels outside, reconsider, since many days have been 10 to 15 degrees above average thus far this year. For the upcoming week, expect warm air to bring with it increased moisture and a chance of rain.
Bill requiring ultrasound before abortion nears vote
RICHMOND, Va. — A bill requiring a woman to get an ultrasound before having an abortion is poised to pass Virginia’s Legislature this week, placing it on track to be signed into law by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Saleh cedes power in Yemen but hopes to retain influence
SANAA, Yemen — A day before a national vote that will mark the end of his presidency, Ali Abdullah Saleh signaled his hope to be an anomaly in the Arab Spring: a toppled autocrat who can preserve some degree of influence in his nation’s governance.
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DETROIT — The Nigerian man who tried to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner with explosives concealed in his underwear on Christmas Day in 2009 was sentenced Thursday to life in prison by a federal judge who said his crime and subsequent lack of remorse demanded the maximum possible punishment.
Colleges statewide see record applicants
Dozens of local colleges and universities are seeing record numbers of freshman applicants this year, including Northeastern University, Boston University, Boston College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and three campuses of the University of Massachusetts.
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ROME — Over the years, the Italian government has quietly passed scores of laws that benefit the Roman Catholic Church, but it is rare for it to issue a public statement announcing it intends to strip the church of privileges.
Snowfall-deficient precipitation for today
While the second half of January brought some hope for snow-lovers across New England, the past two weeks have not been so promising. The same story is true for today as southerly flow is bringing in moisture, rainfall, and above-average temperatures. This unusual weather can be explained through the February jet stream (i.e. storm track), which has directed the most intense storms through Canada and prevented others from moving toward New England. Sometimes the jet has also split itself, allowing systems to pass to our south and leave New England free of any precipitation.