Visit our mobile site

The Globe and Mail

Jump to main navigation
Jump to main content

News Search
Search Stock Quotes
Search The Web
Search People at canada411.ca
Search Businesses at yellowpages.ca
Search Jobs at eluta.ca
Foreign Aid

U.S. slashes Pakistan aid over jailing of ‘bin Laden doctor’

A Senate panel expressed its outrage over Pakistan’s conviction of a doctor who helped the U.S. track down Osama bin Laden, voting to cut aid to Islamabad by $33 million.

Man confesses to killing 6-year-old Etan Patz 33 years later

Police on Thursday arrested a New Jersey man who they said had confessed to the 1979 killing of 6-year-old Etan Patz in a case that drew national attention to the plight of missing children and had frustrated law enforcement officials for more than three decades.

Hurricane season expected to be 'near normal' with 9 to 15 storms

U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects ‘near normal’ weather patterns

Worldview

New polls suggest U.S. election race in dead heat

Some pollsters are putting Obama’s chance of re-election at ‘no better than 50-50’

Snap hurricane threatens Mexico

The National Hurricane Center has warned that Hurricane Bud, which formed off Mexico’s Pacific coast Thursday morning, could lead to flooding.

Unabomber Ted Kaczynski updates Harvard University alumni book

Kaczynski, who graduated in 1962, listed ‘prisoner’ as his occupation in the alumni directory

Fred Blaser

The many obstacles to a Honduran utopia

The model-city idea proposed by New York University professor Paul Romer may attract the odd billionaire. Conventional investors will take a pass

Transatlantic flight diverted after passenger claims implanted device

FBI and Homeland Security Department warned airlines last summer that terrorists are considering surgically hiding bombs inside humans

Harper's body language speaks volumes at NATO summit

The arc of Stephen Harper’s views on Afghanistan might have been summed in his body language Monday as he and other NATO leaders met to discuss the alliance’s problem child.

Justice System

2,000 Americans falsely convicted then exonerated since 1989: study

More than 2,000 people who were falsely convicted of serious crimes have been exonerated in the United States in the past 23 years, according to a new archive compiled at two universities.

Human rights

Blind Chinese activist turns face toward sun during first day of freedom

Escaped dissident plans to study law at New York University, vows to continue to fight for homeland

World leaders set to tackle Afghanistan’s future as NATO summit opens

World leaders turn their attention today from global financial security to its physical security as they gather for the NATO summit in Chicago

Trio accused of terror plot planned attack on Obama campaign HQ: prosecutors

Three men are accused of trying to make Molotov cocktails ahead of the two-day NATO summit, which starts Sunday

Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng arrives in U.S.

Blind human rights activist Chen Guangcheng has left China and is now on a plane bound for the United States.

Worldview

Anti-Obama ad campaign hurts Republicans more than its intended target

Campaign funded by Republican Super PAC tries to play on U.S. president’s connection to controversial preacher

U.S. Election

Romney vows immediate Keystone approval on first day in White House

In a campaign ad unveiled on Friday, the presumptive Republican nominee asks voters to imagine Day 1 of his presidency, and lists Keystone as a top priority

Worldview

American jihadi offers rare glimpse into Canadian life, extremism

In a story released on the web, Omar Hammami recounts how a religious awakening after 9/11 transformed him into a homegrown

Globe Editorial

The U.S. should settle more trade cases

Surely a tuna-dolphin dispute could have been resolved

RFK Jr.’s estranged wife died of asphyxiation due to hanging

Mary Richardson Kennedy had fought drug and alcohol problems

More than half of U.S. babies now born to minorities

New 2011 census estimates highlight sweeping changes in nation’s racial makeup

Robert Kennedy Jr.’s estranged wife found dead

Mary Richardson Kennedy had fought drug and alcohol problems

Anti-drug prosecutors detain Mexican army generals for questioning

Two army generals, including a former assistant defence secretary, were detained by anti-drug prosecutors and are being questioned for alleged links to drug traffickers, authorities said Wednesday.

Trayvon Martin shooter had two black eyes, broken nose: court records

George Zimmerman claimed self-defence in the February shooting of an unarmed teen in Florida

Literature

Mexican novelist, essayist Carlos Fuentes dies

Author Carlos Fuentes, who played a dominant role in Latin America's novel-writing boom by delving into the failed ideals of the Mexican revolution, died Tuesday in a Mexico City hospital. He was 83.

Worldview

Social issues take centre-stage after Obama’s gay marriage declaration

Economic issues have played second fiddle in the past week following Mr. Obama’s move to endorse gay marriage

Strauss-Kahn launches $1-million countersuit against hotel maid

Disgraced former head of IMF accuses New York maid of deliberately making a false report

U.S. man pleads not guilty in hacking case against Anonymous

A U.S. man has pleaded not guilty to computer hacking charges related to an investigation aimed at taking out key players in the worldwide group Anonymous.

Obama campaign airs ad critical of Romney’s job record

President Barack Obama opens fire on Mitt Romney’s role at Bain Capital

49 dismembered bodies found dumped on Mexican highway

The grisly discovery follows a string of atrocities, including 18 people who were found decapitated and dismembered near Mexico’s second-largest city, Guadalajara, on Wednesday

Venezuela’s crossword conspiracy draws ridicule from Chavez’s friends and foes

Intelligence agent’s questioning of newspaper puzzle’s author is worthy of a ‘cheap spy movie,’ pro-Chavez writer argues

Election 2012 blog

Obama ‘evolves’ and Romney ‘flip-flops’: Is it fair?

In the U.S. general election campaign, one aim is to label your opponent as a 'flip-flop' on key issues. But does one candidate - Mitt Romney - get unfairly labelled as the bigger 'flip-flopper' of the two?

Elderly NY couple dies after car stuck in woods, no cell service

Couple died after nine fruitless attempts to make a cellphone call for help and after the woman searched in vain for a neighbour

Class for U.S. military suggested Islam, not just extremism, is the enemy

Pentagon suspended the course in April after a student objected to the material

Evidence in Trayvon Martin shooting may not be fully made public

George Zimmerman’s lawyer says if witnesses are hounded by the media it might jeopardize his chances of getting a fair trial

Obama criticizes Romney as ‘backwards on equality'

President Barack Obama wasted little time casting his historic embrace of same-sex marriage as a political wedge issue Thursday, telling a Hollywood fundraising crowd that it shows how his vision of the country differs from Republicans.

‘I may have been fated to find it’: Ohio man stumbles upon signed Picasso print at thrift store

Zachary Bodish bought the print for $14.14 and sold it later for $7,000

For or against: A look at world leaders' stances on gay marriage

From the Guatemalan president’s condemnation of ‘Adam and Esteban’ to François Hollande’s support for equality, world leaders are divided on controversial issue

Obama takes gay marriage message on fundraising tour

Fundraising events are expected to net $15-million for the president’s re-election campaign

Margaret Wente

The Occupiers leave the building

Lacking a coherent message and increasingly linked with violence, the movement that championed the ‘99 per cent’ has run its course

Plane from Toronto to San Francisco makes emergency landing in Denver

No injuries reported as passengers arrive in San Francisco two hours later than planned

Election 2012 blog

Federal prisoner gives Obama a run for his money in West Virginia primary

The Democratic party primary in West Virginia. Yawn. A cake walk for Barack Obama - except there was a challenger who got more than 40 per cent of the vote on Tuesday night. And more bad news: he's a federal inmate.

Intelligence agent foils al-Qaeda bomb plot from within

The man al-Qaeda entrusted with its latest explosive device actually was an agent working with the CIA and Saudi intelligence agencies

North Carolina voters approve ban on gay marriage

Constitutional amendment defines marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman

Indiana's Lugar routed by right flank of his own Republican Party

North Carolina voters decide overwhelmingly to strengthen their state's gay marriage ban

Election 2012 blog

Where’s the love? Why Santorum’s lukewarm backing of Romney is a new low

The love may not be there, but Rick Santorum did finally endorse Mitt Romney's candidacy in a most-unexpected and lacklustre way: a late-night e-mail. It is just another in a series of tepid endorsements for the presumptive Republican nominee?

North Carolina votes on gay-marriage ban

Although poll finds more than two thirds of N.C. adult residents support gay marriage, Amendment One looks set to pass

Lawyer seeks Ottawa’s support for man on Indiana’s death row

Convicted of murdering a bank guard, Robert Bolden was born in Newfoundland

In late night e-mail, Santorum endorses Romney

‘Above all else, we both agree that President Obama must be defeated’

TECHNOLOGY

Twitter won't win the election, but its influence is growing

@BarackObama is on Twitter. So is @MittRomney. And so are all the voters following the 2012 presidential contest, whether they know it or not.

2012 U.S. Election

Obama brands Romney ‘rubber stamp’ for failed policies

President Barack Obama plunged into his campaign for a new term and tore into rival Mitt Romney on Saturday as a willing and eager “rubber stamp” for conservative Republicans in Congress.

Facing nearly 3,000 murder charges, 9/11 defendants ignore judge at hearing

They knelt in prayer, ignored the judge and wouldn't listen to Arabic translations as they confronted nearly 3,000 counts of murder. The self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks and four co-defendants defiantly disrupted an arraignment that dragged into Saturday night in the opening act of the long-stalled effort to prosecute them in a military court.

Massachusetts Race

Dead heat in hottest Senate contest this year

Republican former centrefold still king of cool as law professor attempts to oust him from Ted Kennedy’s old job

Disappointing U.S. job numbers cloud Obama’s excellent week

An almost-excellent week for the Obama campaign, spoiled by some disappointing job numbers. As the U.S. economy continues to send mixed messages, can the Obama campaign count any wins?

HISTORY

News agency apologizes for firing war reporter over WWII scoop

Edward Kennedy was fired after reporting a full day early that the Germans had surrendered

Arraignment for 9/11 trial at Guantanamo to take place Saturday

More than three years after their case was put on hold, five men accused of carrying out the 9/11 attacks are scheduled to face a military tribunal

Russian military raise the ante on missile defence

Russian officials threaten to use destructive force pre-emptively if Washington goes ahead with its controversial missile defence plan.

Ottawa accused of reneging on support for death row Canadian

Last minute addition to Ronald Smith witness list fails to deliver expected support

Thirteen charged in hazing death of Florida marching band drummer

Robert Champion, a Florida A&M university drum major, was severely beaten by band members in November before he died after a performance against a rival school

Newt Gingrich suspends U.S. presidential campaign

The former U.S. House of Representatives speaker, the face of the Republican party in the mid-1990s, badly trailed front-runner Mitt Romney in polls and his campaign fell into debt of $4.3-million

Death row Canadian to plead for mercy at Montana hearing

Ronald Smith shot and killed two men 30 years ago while he was high on drugs and alcohol

Strauss-Kahn denied diplomatic immunity, N.Y. maid's suit can proceed

Tuesdays ruling kept alive the civil case that emerged from a May 2011 hotel-room encounter that also spurred now-dismissed criminal charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn, then a French presidential hopeful.

Reaching upward

Quebec Mohawk turns Freedom Tower into New York City’s tallest skyscraper

Ironworker part of several generations who have helped construct Manhattan’s high buildings

As waistlines expand, costs soar

As waistlines expand, costs soar

Medical expenses related to obesity have risen drastically

Bestseller

Three Cups of Tea author fends off lawsuit over alleged untruths

Civil action from people who alleged they were cheated by false claims in the books is ‘flimsy and speculative,’ judge rules

New Trade Center building set to top the NYC skyline

The so-called Freedom Tower isn't expected to reach its full height for at least another year, at which point it is likely to be declared the tallest building in the U.S., and third tallest in the world.

U.S. Military Academy to house Bin Laden treasure trove, open to public this week

U.S. officials say the public will soon be able to read some of Osama bin Laden's last written or typed words — made available by the Army's Combating Terrorism Center at U.S. Military Academy this week.

Conrad Black's return to Canada in the hands of immigration department

Questions remain about whether the disgraced media mogul can return to Canada after his May 4th release

Obama's new campaign slogan: ‘Forward'

President Barack Obama unveiled his new campaign video in preparation for his first re-election rallies on Saturday.

Rights groups: U.S. asylum likely for blind Chinese activist

China and the U.S. want to reach agreement on the fate of Chen Guangcheng before the annual high-level talks between U.S. officials begin in Beijing on Thursday, according to rights group ChinaAid.

French journalist missing, 4 security members killed after Colombian drug raid

A French journalist was missing early Sunday along with five Colombian security force members following combat with leftist rebels that claimed the lives of three soldiers and a police officer, Colombia's Defence Ministry said.

The audacity of humour: Obama jokes about Clinton, dog meat and the Secret Service

Opening for Jimmy Kimmel, President makes light of world leaders, Donald Trump and the recent Secret Service scandal in Colombia

Secret Service's new rules: No drinking, no racy bars

No excessive drinking — and no alcohol at all within 10 hours of working. Disreputable establishments are off limits, as is entertaining foreigners in the hotel room.

Heartthrob candidate women’s choice for Mexican president

Both men and women believe Enrique Pena Nieto more likely to create jobs, quell violence

House OKs student loan bill, ignores veto threat

Republicans defied a veto threat and the House voted Friday to prevent federal loan costs from doubling for millions of college students. The vote gave the GOP a momentary election-year triumph on a bill that has become enmeshed in partisan battles over the economy, women's issues and President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Nutella backs off 'balanced breakfast' claims after hit with $3-million lawsuit

Class-action suits claimed the hazelnut-flavoured spread engaged in misleading marketing portraying the product as healthy

Judge wants more information on money Zimmerman raised through website

The bail might have been set higher if a judge had known about $200,000 raised, the attorney said

Globe Editorial

The demilitarized drug-war zone

Insite shows what can be achieved on a small scale

Secret Service widens prostitution-scandal investigation

Allegations are emerging that officers’ misconduct in Colombia was not an isolated event

Election 2012 blog

Five things to miss about Newt Gingrich (Hint: fly me to the moon)

The Georgia conservative, as he called himself, provided some of the more memorable moments during the GOP leadership race. As Newt Gingrich prepares to officially end his campaign, here are five things people will likely miss.

Accused leaker Bradley Manning to face court martial

Ruling sets the stage for court-martial proceedings against U.S. soldier Bradley Manning

U.S. high court appears to back Arizona’s crackdown on immigration

During arguments, Conservative justices suggested that states have significant latitude to adopt laws that discourage illegal immigrants from moving to and staying in the country.

Homeland Security calls allegations in prostitution scandal 'inexcusable'

Napolitano, who was facing questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee for the first time since the scandal erupted earlier this month, testified that the allegations are “inexcusable” and a “thorough and full investigation is under way.”

U.S., Philippines stage war games despite warnings from China

Thousands of American and Philippine troops waded ashore on Wednesday in a mock assault to retake a small island in energy-rich waters disputed with China, a drill Beijing had said would raise the risk of armed conflict.

PAUL ROMER and OCTAVIO SANCHEZ

Urban prosperity in the RED

Countries like Honduras don’t need more aid – they need the kind of governance Canada can offer

Army judge refuses to dismiss charges in WikiLeaks case

A military judge refused to dismiss charges against an Army private accused in the biggest leak of government secrets in U.S. history.

Romney sweeps more primaries, promises ‘better America'

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee accuses Obama of ‘false promises and weak leadership’

Feds make first arrest in BP oil spill case

The Justice Department arrested Kurt Mix Tuesday for destroying evidence relating to the 2010 oil spill.

Californians to vote on abolishing death penalty

A measure to abolish capital punishment in California qualified for the November ballot on Monday.

Worldview

Mexican ‘illegals’ leaving U.S. in droves, study finds

Perhaps Mitt Romney’s vision of ‘self-deportation’ is working, thanks to a poor U.S. job market and better prospects in Mexico