"A proper analysis of sentencing levels in Northern Ireland, compared with jurisdictions in England, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland shows that the level of sentences in this jurisdiction is at least as severe as in those other jurisdictions, " he said.

BBC: NI judges 'not out of touch'

Boston has one of 77 nationwide intelligence "fusion centers" that is involved in helping investigators in this week's bombings to pool data and conduct analysis, said Mike Sena, director of the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center.

WSJ: Citizen Surveillance Helps Officials Put Pieces Together

On Thursday, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Mandelson said the British and Irish governments shared a "common analysis" of the situation in that they wanted the sanctions to be lifted.

BBC: Minister attends 'banned' meeting