December 4, 2013

Sean Egan and Richard B. Handler clashed two years ago over a downgrade in credit ratings. In recent weeks, reconciliation appeared to be no closer.

The F.D.A. allows the sale of some devices to treat small groups of patients without requiring proof that the devices work, or any rigorous study of the medical results.

There is little precedent in New York for the intense day-to-day political partnership that Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, intend to bring to City Hall on Jan. 1.

Al Qaeda’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, has indicated that he views Syria as a promising staging ground, and officials are concerned that a base there could present a rising threat to Israel and Europe.

At a picturesque century-old factory, Count Anton-Wolfgang von Faber-Castell is the eighth in a long line carrying on the family name in the pencil business.