Boston Globe Today | July 26, 2023

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Could AI development lead to human extinction?

WATCH: Ideas writer David Scharfenberg shares one computer scientist’s fears of unchecked AI development. Watch →

Picture this: Community resilience in flood-torn Vermont

WATCH: Photographer Jessica Rinaldi takes us behind the lens of Vermont floods, revealing nature’s devastation and a community held together by resilience. Watch →

Nation

Judge delays Hunter Biden plea deal

The federal judge overseeing the case, Maryellen Noreika, deferred her decision on approving the deal between Hunter Biden and federal prosecutors on Wednesday afternoon — the latest twist in a politically charged case that seemed to have been sewn up just hours earlier. Continue reading →

Nation

Giuliani concedes he made false statements about Georgia election workers

The concession by Rudy Giuliani came in court papers filed on Tuesday night as part of a defamation lawsuit that the two workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, had brought against him in US District Court in Washington in December 2021. Continue reading →

Nation

Whistleblower tells Congress the US is concealing ‘multi-decade’ program that captures UFOs

Democrats and Republicans in recent years have pushed for more research as a national security matter because of concerns that sightings observed by pilots may be tied to US adversaries. Continue reading →

World

Israel’s high court says it will review Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul

Israel’s Supreme Court said Wednesday that it would review a contentious new law that diminishes the court’s own role, setting the stage for a constitutional crisis and renewed social turmoil if the judges end up overturning the legislation. Continue reading →

World

1 dead and 22 injured in cargo ship fire off the Netherlands

One crew member has died and 22 others have been injured in a fire on a large cargo vessel loaded with nearly 3,000 vehicles off the Dutch island of Ameland in the North Sea, officials said Wednesday. Continue reading →

World

War brought Putin closer to Africa. Now it’s pushing them apart.

Shunned in the West, his authority tested by a failed mutiny at home, President Vladimir Putin of Russia needs to project normalcy and shore up support from his allies. So on Thursday, he will host African leaders at a flashy summit in St. Petersburg, part of his continuing outreach to a continent that has become critical to Moscow’s foreign policy. Continue reading →

OPINION

‘Save the city’ mission looks like an effort to save old Boston

PR executive George Regan provided no specifics about what might be collapsing. But what has collapsed is the power of white men. Still, there are grounds for serious debate about the city’s future. But the way this story came out undercuts those legitimate concerns. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Israel’s judicial overhaul puts its democracy and economy at risk

Netanyahu coalition barrels ahead. Continue reading →

OPINION

Let’s celebrate Black Women’s Equal Pay Day by bringing an end to it

Our society just can’t quit misogynoir, and our courts won’t help. So lawmakers need to step up and protect Black women. Continue reading →

Education

‘I loved it and I worked hard’: Fred Fantini, longest-serving Cambridge School Committee member, announces retirement

After more than 40 years on the Cambridge School Committee, Fantini announced his retirement last month. Colleagues and community members say his successor has big shoes to fill. Continue reading →

K-12

‘African American students deserve to be celebrated’: Mass. students compete in NAACP’s annual ACT-SO competition

High school students from more than 200 NAACP chapters nationwide will compete in nearly three dozen categories across a range of disciplines for the preeminent civil rights organization’s annual ACT-SO achievement program. Continue reading →

Health

Recent outbreak at Everett migrant hotel shelter shows dueling crises ‘coming to a head,’ advocates say

Boston's housing shortage can't keep pace with the city's growing population of asylum-seeking migrants, who are at greater risk of falling ill while living in close quarters in emergency shelters, advocates say. Continue reading →

on football

No excuses: It’s time for the Patriots to find their way again

There aren't all that many ties still left to the glory days, and the players seem to sense that it's time for a renewed commitment. Continue reading →

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP | UNITED STATES 1, NETHERLANDS 1

Lindsey Horan rallies United States for a tie in Group E matchup with the Netherlands

After Jill Roord scored to put the Dutch ahead 17 minutes into the first half, Horan tied the match 17 minutes after the break. With the draw, neither team secured a spot in the knockout round yet with one group match remaining. Continue reading →

Bruins

A grateful, reflective Patrice Bergeron thanks those who helped him in his Bruins career

The Bruins captain, who announced his retirement Tuesday, held a farewell press conference at TD Garden Wednesday. Continue reading →

Commercial

Boston wants to fill empty storefronts. The Wu administration just awarded $2.8 million in grants to help do it.

The Wu administration is doling out funds to help 24 companies open up in vacant street-level spaces. Continue reading →

Technology

PTC boss Jim Heppelmann is latest tech exec to retire

After 13 years running the Boston software firm, Heppelmann will step down, succeeded by Neil Barua, who joined the company in January. Continue reading →

Business

Fed raises rates and leaves door open to more

Officials pushed rates to a range of 5.25 percent to 5.5 percent, their highest level since 2001, while indicating that further rate increases are possible in the statement announcing their unanimous decision. Continue reading →

NHL

Rocky Wirtz, third-generation owner of Blackhawks, dead at 70

Everything changed in 2007 when Rocky Wirtz became the team chairman as the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Sinéad O’Connor, gifted and provocative Irish singer, dies at 56

The gifted Irish singer-songwriter became a superstar in her mid-20s but was known as much for her private struggles and provocative actions as for her fierce and expressive music. Continue reading →

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Music

Jillian Dawn comes back to Boston — and ‘Boston’

The 24-year-old Mansfield native performs at City Winery on July 29. Continue reading →

TV CRITIC'S CORNER

‘Bridgerton,’ spinoff dominate Netflix Top 10, but ‘Wednesday’ is No. 1

As of last month, Netflix now measures viewership based on “views,” rather than “hours viewed.” Continue reading →

ASK AMY

Sorority sisters might still be mean girls

Advice from Amy Dickinson. Continue reading →