All of the headlines from today's paper.
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Today's Headlines
Page one

Politics

In first Republican presidential debate, candidates tangle over issues and Trump emerges unscathed

The two-hour debate offered the candidates a rare opportunity — their first of the year — to present themselves to voters without former president Donald Trump sucking up all the oxygen. Continue reading →

Transportation

If you ride it, you know. The Red Line is the worst. Just look at the stats.

Ridership is at less than half its pre-pandemic levels, around half as many trains come each day, and a trip from Braintree or Alewife at times takes about as long as it would to drive. Continue reading →

Somerville

A bumpy start — and lessons learned — as Somerville lines busy roads with ‘speed humps’

Drivers in one area were taken by surprise when they encountered a series of unmarked bumps in the street. The city fixed the problem — and took note of the mistake. Continue reading →

World

Wagner leader believed to be aboard plane that crashed in Russia

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group who staged an aborted mutiny against Russia’s military leadership in June, in one of the most dramatic challenges to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule in decades, was listed as a passenger on a plane that crashed Wednesday in Russia, killing everyone on board, the nation’s aviation authorities said. Continue reading →

The Nation

Nation

Justice Department brings wave of cases over $836m in alleged COVID fraud

The vast array of criminal charges and other sanctions — secured in a federal sweep conducted over the past three months — reflected the ongoing, costly work in Washington to recover stolen pandemic funds roughly three years after the peak of the public health crisis. Continue reading →

Nation

South Carolina’s highest court upholds strict abortion ban

The 4-1 decision is a reversal from January, when the court issued a 3-2 decision finding a similar law violated the right to privacy in the state constitution. Continue reading →

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK

Giuliani surrenders at jail on Ga. 2020 election charges

The former New York mayor was indicted last week along with Trump and 17 others. Continue reading →

The World

World

‘India is on the moon’: Lander’s success moves nation to next space chapter

Two visitors from India — a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan — landed in the southern polar region of the moon on Wednesday. The two robots, from a mission named Chandrayaan-3, make India the first country to ever reach this part of the lunar surface in one piece — and only the fourth country ever to land on the moon. Continue reading →

World

Voting extended after delays as Zimbabwe president known as ‘the crocodile’ seeks a second term

Election officials extended the voting in Zimbabwe’s presidential election until Thursday after delays of up to 10 hours in mostly opposition strongholds as President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeks a second and final term in a country with a history of violent and disputed elections. Continue reading →

World

China tries to increase its clout in Africa amid rivalry with the US

President Xi Jinping of China, traveling to Africa for the first time in five years, pledged greater cooperation with South Africa to enhance the voice of poor nations, and commended developing countries for “shaking off the yoke of colonialism.” Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

EDITORIAL

Parents tagged by DCF policy should be allowed to appeal

Though the agency’s rule was a well-intentioned effort to flag cases of abuse and neglect, it had the effect of leaving parents no way to challenge findings to a neutral arbiter. Continue reading →

OPINION

Bullying complaint highlights Boston City Council’s dysfunction

The council is in desperate need of a leader who can bridge differences between councilors that have now hardened into open contempt and backstabbing. Continue reading →

LETTERS

Rethinking US military aid to Israel, for one reason or another

At $3.8 billion, aid to Israel is no more than a rounding error, but the expenditure leverages much larger Israeli capabilities that serve US interests. Continue reading →

Metro

Health

ChatGPT nearly as good as a recent medical school graduate at making clinical decisions, MGB study suggests

While some clinicians have begun experimenting with the technology, health systems for the most part have limited the use to administrative work in hospitals. Continue reading →

THE GREAT DIVIDE

Retired school administrators of color seek transparency of BPS investigation into workplace discrimination allegations

The group is urging Superintendent Mary Skipper to release the findings of an investigation into whether administrators of color have been targeted with wrongful disciplinary proceedings and termination. Continue reading →

Metro

Fall foliage experts predict ‘brighter and more concentrated colors’ this season thanks in part to a deluge of rain

Nature lovers rejoice: Experts are anticipating a great fall foliage season due to heavy rain and stretches of bright sunny days this summer. Continue reading →

Sports

Red Sox notebook

How big of a problem do the Red Sox have with Rafael Devers’s defense?

Devers's 16 errors are the most by a third baseman in the majors, and tied for most among all position players. Continue reading →

Red Sox 7, Astros 5 (10 innings)

Adam Duvall’s three-run homer in 10th helps Red Sox beat Astros

Red Sox reliever Kenley Jansen exited with one out in the ninth because of what the team called right hamstring tightness. He was replaced by Nick Pivetta, who recorded the win. Continue reading →

On football

Fights and injury risks are leading some NFL coaches to rethink joint practices

Brawls seem to be breaking out everywhere in these sessions, and that flies in the face of the NFL's safety initiatives. Continue reading →

Business

Healthcare

UMass presses forward with Leominster closure despite community pushback

The health system said it has a transportation plan to accommodate women who will have to give birth elsewhere than the local hospital, but the plan drew condemnation and pushback from advocates. Continue reading →

Startups

Former execs from defunct Pear Therapeutics start VC firm

The firm will invest in therapeutics and digital health products by forming new companies and taking pitches from early-stage startups. Continue reading →

Innovation economy

Can the Lego headquarters help make Boston fun again?

We’re a place focused on solving problems, but the company’s arrival is a reminder that the city needs to be playful, too. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Obituaries

Gus Solomons Jr., creative presence in modern dance who got start in Cambridge, dies at 84

Being a contemporary dancer in today's society is “an act of will, an act of courage,” Mr. Solomons once said. Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

Names

Actress Susan Sarandon sues Mass. construction company over ‘extensive problems’ to $2m Vermont home

Sarandon purchased the 45-acre property near the Massachusetts border in 2018. Continue reading →

Movies

This Sunday, see a movie for $4 to celebrate National Cinema Day

Yes, even on IMAX. Here are some movie suggestions for getting the most bang for your buck. Continue reading →

Television

Four ultra-fit New Englanders are in the running for up to a $1 million prize on NBC’s ‘American Ninja Warrior’

A 4′11″ former gymnast and cheerleader from Foxborough, now a Mass General financial analyst, is among those who made it to the finals on Aug. 28. Continue reading →