Shorts (right)
Michigan, whose unemployment rate has topped 10 percent longer than that of any other state, is about to set another record. Its new Republican governor, Rick Snyder, signed a law Monday that will lead the state to pay fewer weeks of unemployment benefits next year than any other state.
Egypt’s military confirms Mubarak travel ban
CAIRO — Egypt’s military command said on Monday that the ousted president, Hosni Mubarak, was banned from leaving the country, and that it would soon lift a detested emergency law, among a number of announcements seemingly intended to shore up diminishing support for the armed forces’ council ruling the nation.
Shorts (right)
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. sued the former chief executive of Washington Mutual and two of his top lieutenants Thursday, accusing them of reckless lending before the 2008 collapse of what was the nation’s largest savings bank.
Shorts (left)
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations Security Council voted Thursday to authorize military action, including airstrikes against Libyan tanks and heavy artillery and a no-fly zone, a risky foreign intervention aimed at averting a bloody rout of rebels by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
US flights over nuclear plant gather crucial data
WASHINGTON — The first readings from U.S. data-collection flights over the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan show that the worst of the contamination has not spewed beyond the 18-mile range of highest concern established by Japanese authorities, but there is also no indication that another day of frantic efforts to cool nuclear fuel in the reactors and spent fuel pools has yielded any progress, according U.S. government officials.
A taste of spring
Yesterday the weather gods provided us with a gorgeous St. Patrick’s Day, with sunny skies and temperatures just above 60°F. The above-average warmth — normal highs are in the mid-40°Fs this time of year — will continue tomorrow, with temperatures pushing into the upper 60°Fs. These highs are due to strong warm air advection, aided by a low-level jet in front of an approaching cold front. Unfortunately, our taste of spring will not last, as the cold front will pass through early tomorrow evening, ushering in cooler, more seasonal air for the weekend. Associated with the cold front passage, we will see gusty winds tomorrow afternoon and evening. A high pressure system will keep our weekend dry before the next low moves in on Monday for the start of spring break.
Global economic agency sees need for retirement age to keep rising
PARIS — Retirement ages in advanced economies will have to rise more than currently planned if countries hope to cover the increase in costs caused by aging populations, a global economic organization warned Thursday.
Missiles fired from CIA drones kill civilians in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Several missiles fired from U.S. drone aircraft Thursday struck a meeting of local people in northwest Pakistan who had gathered with Taliban mediators to settle a dispute over a chromite mine. The attack, a Pakistani intelligence official said, killed 26 of 32 people present, some of them Taliban fighters, but the majority elders and local people not attached to the militants.
House votes to end money for NPR, Senate passes spending bill
WASHINGTON — The House voted Thursday to cut off financing for National Public Radio, with Democrats and Republican fiercely divided over both the content of the bill and how it was brought to the floor.
Shorts (right)
How far will the financial shockwaves from Japan’s earthquake reach? Investors wrestled with that question on Monday as stock markets dipped across the globe and fears mounted about the impact of a partial shutdown of the world’s third-largest economy.
A gradual warm-up is coming next week
Sunny skies and seasonable temperatures are in store for today. These conditions are compliments of a strong high pressure area, which will move through New England and reach the ocean by evening. By tonight, clouds will move in as a developing low pressure center moves northward through the Mid-Atlantic states. This system seems plentiful with moisture, and umbrellas will be needed for Wednesday until the rain ends sometime at night. Minor river flooding in nearby areas may occur but is not likely since most of the winter snowpack has already melted. Temperatures will also be warmer as southerly winds sweep in moist air off the ocean. By St. Patrick’s Day, clear skies and an even warmer air mass will return. A large high pressure area forming near the Carolinas should push highs to near 60°F (16°C) by Friday as well. A steady breeze from the south will maintain the climb in temperatures by that time.
Shorts (left)
LAHORE, Pakistan — The Pakistani government on Monday further postponed the resolution of the question of whether a CIA operative being investigated for a double murder is entitled to diplomatic immunity.
Saudis, fearful of Iran, send troops to Bahrain protests
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia’s military rolled into Bahrain on Monday, threatening to escalate a local political conflict into a regional showdown with Iran.
Clinton meets with Libyan opposition leader Mahmoud Jibril
PARIS — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met late Monday with a leader of Libya’s increasingly beleaguered opposition, but did so privately and without a public statement.
Third explosion threatens Japanese nuclear core
TOKYO — Japan faced the likelihood of a catastrophic nuclear accident on Tuesday morning as an explosion at the most crippled of three reactors at the Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Station damaged its crucial steel containment structure, emergency workers were withdrawn from the plant, and much larger emissions of radioactive materials appeared imminent, according to official statements and industry executives informed about the developments.
Both sides of March this weekend
An old weather adage describes March entering as a lion and leaving like a lamb. Fortunately, March hasn’t been too terrible so far, bringing only mild temperatures and no snow. Although this mild pattern will persist, today will be a downright miserable March day with heavy rain and strong winds. The bad news will continue for skiers as warm air pushes very far north, leaving the lower elevations of ski resorts wet, rather than fluffy. However, don’t be completely discouraged; the other face of March will emerge later this weekend. Expect a better day on Saturday as the clouds slowly clear out. Sunday looks to be a pristine late winter day with mostly sunny skies and a high near 50°F.
Hearings on American Muslims reveal a deep partisan rift
WASHINGTON — A congressional hearing on Thursday addressing homegrown Islamic terrorism offered divergent portraits of Muslims in America: one as law-abiding people who are unfairly made targets, the other as a community ignoring radicalization among its own and failing to confront what one witness called “this cancer that’s within.”
Shorts (left)
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama poked fun at his own big ears and funny name Thursday, but all in the service of a serious subject as he and Michelle Obama opened a White House conference to spur anti-bullying efforts in schools and communities nationwide.
Consumer agency to post a database of unsafe products
Despite threats of a budget cut, the Consumer Product Safety Commission will unveil on Friday a database that will allow the public to search for complaints about the safety of everyday products.
Wisconsin Democrats see a gift in bitter battle over unions
MADISON, Wis. — After nearly a month of angry demonstrations and procedural maneuvering in the State Capitol here, Gov. Scott Walker won his battle Thursday to cut bargaining rights for most government workers in Wisconsin.