BostonGlobe.com Political Headlines - February 28, 2013

• Statecraft is the latest bond for Kerry and Thorne: Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Rome is a chance for him to see David Thorne, a longtime friend and US ambassador to Italy. Globe Washington bureau reporter Matt Viser explains.

• Businesses call federal marriage act unfair: Nearly 300 companies are asking the US Supreme Court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, saying it forces them to discriminate against married gay employees. Globe business reporter Beth Healy details.

• Not saying he'll run, Menino banters about the campaign: "Let's have a nice, good campaign," Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, a 20-year incumbent, said he told 39-year-old Councilor John R. Connolly about the upcoming race. Globe politics reporter Andrew Ryan covers.

• Inquiry widens into Swartz prosecution: A congressional committee is broadening its investigation of the Boston-based prosecution of political activist Aaron Swartz. Globe correspondent David Uberti reports.

• Sequestration? Few can explain latest budget crisis: Sequestration is the latest down-to-the-wire, fasten-your-seat-belts federal financial precipice that has left many Americans scratching their heads. Globe metro reporter Akilah Johnson elaborates.

• Markey says abortion shift was personal:
  US Representative Edward J. Markey said he was never making a political calculation when he became a supporter of abortion rights decades ago. Globe politics reporter Stephanie Ebbert details.  

• Five candidates submit required number of signatures for special election for US Senate: Globe State House bureau chief Frank Phillips outlines.

• UN's cold, but correct, call on Haiti: The UN's assertion of immunity for peacekeepers after a cholera outbreak might be tragic for a nation that has had its fair share of tragedy. But it is absolutely right. Globe columnist Juliette Kayyem writes.