Today's Paper 02/21/2013 - The Boston Globe

The Nation

Talk grows of taking Cuba off terror list

Patrick Leahy (center) and James P. McGovern (left) in Havana on Monday. They left the country on Wednesday.

By Bryan Bender

US diplomats believe that Cuba should no longer be designated a sponsor of terrorism, raising the prospect that the US could restore relations with Havana.

House GOP opposing tax increases

House Speaker John Boehner responded to a question during a news conference on Capitol Hill on Feb. 14.

By Jonathan Weisman

House Republicans are resolutely opposing tax increases to head off sequestration, all but ensuring the cuts will go into force March 1.

Gas leak reported before blast leveled restaurant

Crews sifted through the rubble of the restaurant on Wednesday as they searched for more possible victims of the blast.

By Bill Draper and Heather Hollingsworth

A day after a natural gas explosion leveled a popular restaurant in Kansas City, investigators searched the rubble and tried to understand how the blast happened.

The World

Russia offers to broker Syria talks

Missiles shot from Syrian jets caused damage and injuries in Aleppo on Wednesday.

By Albert Aji

Russia and the Arab League proposed to broker talks between the Syrian opposition and President Bashar Assad’s regime to try to resolve the country’s civil war.

NATO and Afghan forces kill 25 insurgents

By Patrick Quinn

The size and scope of the latest operations were an indication that the Afghan war is far from over after 11 years of conflict.

Serbia withdraws suspected toxic milk

The milk contains high levels of aflatoxins, a fungus linked to mildewed cattle feed.

By Dusan Stojanovic and Jovana Gec

Serbian officials ordered some brands of milk taken off shelves despite earlier assertions that they were not contaminated with a potentially cancer-causing toxin.

Editorial & Opinion

JOAN VENNOCHI

Scott Brown less than candid? Bqhatevwr

By Joan Vennochi

The former Senator’s convoluted explanation for his Twitter messages chips away at Scott Brown Inc., a brand he needs to keep fresh and honest if he is to have a political future in Mass.

JULIETTE KAYYEM

Should Boston try to host the Olympics?

Would Boston consider hosting the Olympic rings, which are headed to Sochi, Russia, next year?

By Juliette Kayyem

Boston may not do bling, but that might not matter for the US Olympic Committee in its efforts to find a host for the 2024 summer games.

Xavier L. Suarez

Why Cardinal O’Malley should be pope

By Xavier L. Suarez

In his humbleness, humor, language fluency, and caring are the makings of a pope.

Metro

More than half of immigrants in Mass. are citizens

Younes Mekrami of Revere (right) was one of those who took the oath of citizenship Wednesday in Boston.

By Maria Sacchetti

Analysts say the increase has been building here and nationally for years, pushing the number to record highs in the country.

Bulger checked for heart issue again

By Shelley Murphy

James “Whitey” Bulger was quietly examined for an irregular heartbeat, raising questions about whether his health will keep him from trial.

Captive hunting in Vermont lures amid criticism

Elk may be found at sites designed for hunters of exotic or unusual animals.

By Brian MacQuarrie

Camps where animals like buffalo and wild boar roam behind a fence have been banned since 2008, but two were allowed to remain open.

Business

Times Co. plans to sell the Globe after 20 years

The Times Co. tried to sell the Globe in 2009, after first threatening to shut it down because it was losing money.

By Beth Healy and Casey Ross

The Times Co. last tried to sell the Globe in 2009 after threatening to shut the newspaper down because it was losing money.

Mislabeled fish a national problem

By Jenn Abelson

In two years, one-third of more than 1,200 seafood samples in 21 states were found to be mislabeled.

Teen employment falls to 45-year low

Clarissa Jones worked on signs at the Bird Street Community Center Wednesday in preparation for a jobs rally on Thursday.

By Megan Woolhouse

Teen employment in Massachusetts plunged as adults looking for any kind of work in a spotty recovery crowd young adults from the job market.

Obituaries

Tony Sheridan, 72; guitarist helped Beatles get start

Tony Sheridan used the Beatles as a backup band, both in concert and in a recording session in 1961.

By Allan Kozinn

Mr. Sheridan, the British guitarist, singer and songwriter was the star on the Beatles’ first commercial recording — they were the backup band.

Richard Pierce, 78; Roxbury business, cheer leader

Richard Pierce wrote “Roxbury: A Brief History of Its People, Places, and Things.”

By Laurie D. Willis

Beyond his construction and weatherization work, Mr. Pierce was so fond of his neighborhood that he became known to many as Mr. Roxbury.

Sports

Dan Shaughnessy

Ben Cherington merits blame too

After his team won just 69 games in 2012, GM Ben Cherington is happy to have another opportunity.

By Dan Shaughnessy

Cherington seems to have been the Telfon GM for the Red Sox thus far. That might change if they underachieve this year.

on baseball

Kevin Youkilis settled in with Yankees now

Kevin Youkilis, who spent many years in the AL East with the Red Sox, returns this season as the third baseman of the Yankees.

By Nick Cafardo

Youkilis, in Yankees fashion, is now clean-shaven. And he’s ready to move forward as an archrival to the Red Sox.

lakers 113, celtics 99

Lakers get payback against the Celtics

Lakers center Dwight Howard went above Kevin Garnett with a shot.

By Baxter Holmes

The emotional Lakers, playing their first game since Jerry Buss’ death, pounded their rivals, who lost for the 2d straight night.

G: Style

G Cover

Why personal trainers often become a client’s best buddy

Christopher Muther works out with master trainer Albert Samano at the Boston Sports Club.

By Christopher Muther

When we see our trainers more than we see our friends, how can they not end up our BFFs?

Fashion Week questions answered (truthfully)

Models walking the runway during the Anna Sui Fall 2013 show as part of New York Fashion Week.

By Christopher Muther

Christopher Muther’s favorite Fashion Week moments were those he least expected, like Anna Sui’s show he almost skipped or when he nearly tripped over Matt Damon.

Violet Mkhitaryan and the nature of healthy skin

“Skin is the biggest organ with a very important function — it protects the entire body,” says Violet Mkhitaryan, of Violet Skin Boutique.

By Liza Weisstuch

Whether developing new creams or opening a new spa, Mkhitaryan is wrapped up in natural remedies.

Globe North

In Somerville and Lowell, do-it-yourselfers making it work

At Artisan’s Asylum in Somerville, Staci Zarimba of Somerville threads a sewing machine in a sewing class.

By Kathleen Pierce

Makerspaces, where people share tools and ideas, and even launch successful businesses, are moving from fringe initiatives into the mainstream.

Winchester

Cheesecake-making passion finds a home in Winchester

By Kathy Shiels Tully

Unable to foot the expense of her own kitchen, Sarah-Beth Chester found kitchen space to share while she pursued her dream of crafting the perfect cheesecake.

Entrepreneurs cooking up business in Amesbury

Lauren Suszczewicz prepares bakery products at Kitchen Local in Amesbury.

By Joel Brown

Open just a few weeks, Kitchen Local offers food businesses a place where they can cook for commercial sale without having their own certified kitchen.

Globe South

Braintree High dance team keeps on winning

The Braintree High Varsity Dance Team practiced in Braintree High's Cafeteria.

By Jessica Bartlett

The Braintree High varsity dance team has placed in the top three spots at almost every level of competition since 2007.

Braintree High Dance Team’s titles

Highlights of the Braintree High School Varsity Dance Team’s record since 2007.

Ambulance rates spike south of Boston

By Jennette Barnes

Emergency service providers say a complex array of factors is driving a rise of as much as 145 percent in recent years.

Globe West

Sports stars at the mercy of the market when selling their homes

By Scott Van Voorhis

Curt Schilling, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, and Ray Allen all have had to slash the asking prices on their multimillion-dollar mansions in the western suburbs.