Commonwealth

ABUJA, Nigeria -- A 52-nation summit of Britain and its former colonies headed yesterday toward a split over Zimbabwe, which has been suspended from the group because of concern over human rights violations. The leaders of Britain and Canada insisted the body, known as the Commonwealth, stand firm. But African leaders showed strong signs of going the opposite direction -- three of them insisting that the bloc should lift its year-old ban on Zimbabwe and its president, Robert Mugabe.

The Hub of Startup Universe A Building a Better Commonwealth Forum Tuesday, May 22 at Microsoft NERD Everyday a new startup launches in Greater Boston. We boast of the highest venture capital per capita in the world, the largest business plan competition, the best and well-resourced universities, and the densest concentration of startups in the world. Yet are we doing enough to develop, attract and retain our best entrepreneurs and startups? Inspired by the Globe editorial piece, Can Boston be the hub of the startup universe?

ABUJA, Nigeria -- President Robert Mugabe -- banned from the meeting and thousands of miles away -- still managed to dominate the tense opening session yesterday of the summit of Britain and its former colonies, and Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain urged African leaders not to lift Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth. Isolated at home, Mugabe shrugged off the international pressure to reform his troubled southern African country. "What is it to us?" he said of the 54-nation Commonwealth as he addressed thousands of party loyalists in Zimbabwe.

PAUL MCMORRROW nails it, sort of, in "Unwelcome sign for new families" (Op-ed, April 3). Indeed, Massachusetts "was founded as a collective endeavor. The state's roots are in mutual aid and common purpose. " But if the Commonwealth truly believes that diverse housing opportunities are in the state's best interest, then it must ensure that the investment is shared by all - not just the individual communities that host diverse and affordable housing opportunities. This is a matter for the governor and the Legislature to champion through tax reform to support affordable housing.

The British monarch's first-born child, whether a girl or a boy, will ascend the throne under new succession rules approved Friday by Commonwealth nations, reversing centuries of tradition. Commonwealth national leaders also agreed at a summit in the western Australian city of Perth to lift a ban on monarchs marrying Roman Catholics, British Prime Minister David Cameron said. Britain or any of the 15 former British colonies for which Queen Elizabeth II is monarch could have vetoed the changes to current rules that ensure that a male heir takes the throne ahead of older sisters.

Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin said he has fined a unit of State Street Corp. $5 million for its role in a mortgage-backed debt obligation. State Street is a Boston-based financial services company. According to Galvin's office, State Street Global Advisors failed to disclose a hedge-fund's involvement in a $1.56 billion collateralized debt obligation known as Carina CDO Ltd. State Street acted as the investment manager of Carina, Galvin said. In an e-mail, a State Street spokeswoman noted that the company neither admits nor denies the...

Depending on the arguments heard yesterday at the State House, a bill to ban transgender discrimination is either the next leap for civil rights in Massachusetts or a way for predators to gain access to bathrooms and locker rooms used by the opposite sex. “We know that our Commonwealth is stronger when every person can live and work free of harassment and threats,’’ Attorney General Martha Coakley testified before the joint Judiciary Committee....

Mayor Tom Menino hosted a party at the Parkman House Wednesday night to celebrate Shakespeare on the Common's 17th anniversary season, which kicks off with "Coriolanus" in July. Among the 75 guests (from near right) were Commonwealth Shakespeare Company founding artistic director Steven Maler and Commonwealth-affiliated actors Will Lyman and Karen MacDonald.

REPORTS OF Monson's failure to recover from last year's tornado are greatly exaggerated ( "Tornado victims have been forgotten," Letters, Feb. 26). We are strong, and every day we make progress with the assistance of many partners, especially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Multiple state agencies were here within hours of the storm and have not ceased helping those still in need. I saw many state officials - sleeves rolled up, sweat on their brow, and dirt under their fingernails - working hard by our side.

By Matt Byrne, Town Correspondent Anthony D'Antonio will challenge Michael J. McGlynn, the longest serving mayor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the general election Nov. 8 in Medford. In a primary that drew 3,668 voters, eliminated today was John Byers, who drew roughly 6.1 percent with 224 votes. D'Antonio received 963 votes, far behind McGlynn -- an incumbent of 24 years -- who pummeled the field with 2,434 ballots in his favor.

A taxing issue James H. Burnett III's article broadly notes the value to the Commonwealth of making movies in Massachusetts ("Bay State a bit out of focus," Arts, Feb. 26). But it repeats a serious misunderstanding of how film tax credits work and are intended to work. Tax credits for film producers — like those for affordable housing and historic redevelopments — are intended to be of value to film companies via sales to companies that owe taxes to Massachusetts. The system works as designed in the law, and it is misleading to keep repeating that "96 percent of film projects that...

This Bluegrass State rivalry runs deep, and the divide is wide. Just 70 miles apart, Lexington and Louisville are worlds apart when it comes to college basketball. Come Saturday when the Cardinals and Wildcats meet at the Final Four in New Orleans, a berth in the national title game is just the beginning. Here, the game is likened to a civil war. Pick a side: Wildcats or Cardinals. Rupp's Runts or the Doctors of Dunk. Dan Issel or Wes Unseld. John Calipari or Rick Pitino.

Mayor Tom Menino hosted a party at the Parkman House Wednesday night to celebrate Shakespeare on the Common's 17th anniversary season, which kicks off with "Coriolanus" in July. Among the 75 guests (from near right) were Commonwealth Shakespeare Company founding artistic director Steven Maler and Commonwealth-affiliated actors Will Lyman and Karen MacDonald.

Queen Elizabeth II, her husband and other senior royals have attended a lively ceremony in London marking Commonwealth Day. The queen, who heads the Commonwealth, and Prince Phillip were joined by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at the packed event in Westminster Abbey. More than 1,000 school children were also on hand for the ceremony, which featured performances from Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela and primatologist Jane Goodall, who gave the greeting call of the wild...

As senior program officer at the MetroWest Health Foundation, Rebecca H. Donham of Holliston spends her days trying to address the unmet health needs of residents in 25 area communities. In her new role as a commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, she hopes to use her expertise to help improve women's health statewide, particularly in the low-income and minority communities where she sees a disparity in care. Donham was appointed to the independent state agency by the Caucus of Women Legislators.

REPORTS OF Monson's failure to recover from last year's tornado are greatly exaggerated ( "Tornado victims have been forgotten," Letters, Feb. 26). We are strong, and every day we make progress with the assistance of many partners, especially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Multiple state agencies were here within hours of the storm and have not ceased helping those still in need. I saw many state officials - sleeves rolled up, sweat on their brow, and dirt under their fingernails - working hard by our side.

GAMBLING IS not a constructive way to collect taxes. Taxes are a great way to raise taxes. Gambling losses pay for gambling wins, casino construction and maintenance, casino taxes, and investor profit. Casinos employ gambling equipment operators and maintainers, managers, security people, and others. A small portion of the wages paid and profit made at casinos will be collected as taxes. The gambling loss will provide entertainment for a few hours. Investment in our public institutions would provide a healthier Commonwealth for years to come.

PAUL MCMORRROW nails it, sort of, in "Unwelcome sign for new families" (Op-ed, April 3). Indeed, Massachusetts "was founded as a collective endeavor. The state's roots are in mutual aid and common purpose. " But if the Commonwealth truly believes that diverse housing opportunities are in the state's best interest, then it must ensure that the investment is shared by all - not just the individual communities that host diverse and affordable housing opportunities. This is a matter for the governor and the Legislature to champion through tax reform to support affordable housing.

Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin said he has fined a unit of State Street Corp. $5 million for its role in a mortgage-backed debt obligation. State Street is a Boston-based financial services company. According to Galvin's office, State Street Global Advisors failed to disclose a hedge-fund's involvement in a $1.56 billion collateralized debt obligation known as Carina CDO Ltd. State Street acted as the investment manager of Carina, Galvin said. In an e-mail, a State Street spokeswoman noted that the company neither admits nor denies the findings of Galvin's office...

The Police Department was recently accredited by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. In order to reach that status, the department had to update 69 of its procedures and policies and get assessed by a team of accreditation officials. Wareham had been working toward this goal for some time, and Town Administrator Mark Andrews applauded the accomplishment. In a press release, Andrews said: "When Chief Richard Stanley arrived in August of 2009, he set state accreditation as a top priority.