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.
Chicago braces for final day of NATO protests
Black-clad protesters call for insurrection
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
Next SpaceX rocket launch attempt could happen Tuesday
NASA is looking to the private sector, in this post-shuttle era, to get American astronauts launching again from U.S. soil.
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.
Facebook CEO turns 28, IPO could be valued at $100-billion
Facebook is expected to start selling stock to the public on Friday
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
Sorry, Mr. President: Biden apologizes for forcing Obama's hand on gay marriage
The vice-president expressed remorse and regret for declaring his support for same-sex unions ahead of President Obama
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
U.S. election
Poll shows Obama more popular with women and minorities
Americans are split over which candidate can best handle the economy
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
With U.S. election months away, Obama throws down gauntlet to Congress
President’s economic proposals, $25-million ad campaign take aim at Republicans as polls show Obama, Romney in near-dead heat
Twitter fights attempt by NYC prosecutors to access Occupier's tweets
Twitter’s lawyers say prosecutors should be required to have a search warrant
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
U.S. has no plans to ramp up security after failed underwear bombing
Officials say plot involved upgrade of underwear bomb that failed to detonate aboard jetliner over Detroit on Christmas 2009
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?
Conrad Black arrives in Toronto after release from prison
Lord Black was convicted of fraud and obstruction of justice charges in 2007
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
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.
Gingrich to end presidential campaign next week, officials say
Gingrich spokesman says that the former House speaker is will throw his support behind Mitt Romney.
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
Election 2012
The Globe's full coverage of the U.S. election
