Nation

In reversal, US to heighten efforts to collect billions in unpaid COVID loans

The Biden administration plans to more aggressively pursue thousands of small businesses with past-due pandemic loans, reversing an earlier policy that saw the US government stop short of trying to collect an estimated $30 billion in delinquent debt. Continue reading →

Nation

Independent lawyers begin prosecuting cases of sexual assault and other crimes in the US military

The change, long resisted by Pentagon leaders, was finally forced by frustrated members of Congress who believed that too often commanders would fail to take victims’ complaints seriously or would try to protect alleged perpetrators in their units. Continue reading →

Elections

Election officials see a range of threats in 2024, from hostile countries to conspiracy theorists

Many of the concerns from four years ago persist: the potential for cyberattacks targeting voter registration systems or websites that report unofficial results, and equipment problems or human errors being amplified by those seeking to undermine confidence in the outcome. Continue reading →

World

Israeli Supreme Court ruling expected mid-January

An Israeli television channel reported that a leaked draft of the court’s ruling showed a narrow majority of the court intended to block a key part of Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul. Continue reading →

World

Israeli strikes across Gaza kill dozens of Palestinians, even in largely emptied north

Much of northern Gaza has been leveled, and it has been largely depopulated and isolated from the rest of the territory for weeks. Many fear a similar fate awaits the south. Continue reading →

World

Mexican officials clear border camp as US pressure mounts to limit migrant crossings

The United States has given clear signs, including temporarily closing key border rail crossings into Texas, that it wants Mexico to do more to stop migrants from crossing the border. Continue reading →

OPINION

What does, and doesn’t, help when treating holiday depression

a leaden sense of dread that can descend without warning at this time of year and that comes and goes throughout the season. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Netanyahu should resign

It’s up to Israelis, of course. But as the US provides military, diplomatic, and financial support to Israel, Americans should also send a message that the country’s long-serving leader is not the man for the moment. Continue reading →

LETTERS

Lack of indoor space poses a hurdle for winter student athletes

A situation in which student athletes are practicing in hallways, while not uncommon, is unacceptable. Continue reading →

Maine

Her Lewiston bar radiated laughter for 25 years. Then came the mass shooting.

With Schemengees Bar & Grille, Kathy Lebel brought her own love of billiards to life, always reinventing, always coming back with the next big idea for how to have a great time. Now, she's unsure what's next for the pool hall but cautiously hopeful. Continue reading →

Somerville

Dubbed the ‘Teele Square Pit,’ a vacant lot in Somerville has become the source of many questions — and quips

Surrounded by a chainlink fence, the property has stood vacant since 2011, testing residents' patience. Continue reading →

Crime & Courts

Winthrop officer charged with child rape allegedly confessed at parents’ graveside on Christmas night

James Anthony Feeley, a Winthrop police lieutenant charged with child rape, had previously served as a foster parent, according to officials. He visited his parents’ graves with a handgun Monday, then allegedly confessed his crimes to the chief of his department, court filings say. Continue reading →

patriots

Hall of Famer Richard Seymour sees big things ahead for Patriots’ Christian Barmore

Barmore's breakout season — he leads the team with 8.5 sacks — has caught the eye of Seymour, and there are definite similarities between the two. Continue reading →

CELTICS NOTEBOOK

Successful western trip helped Celtics create more offensive cohesion

The Celtics averaged 135.3 points on 49.4 percent shooting and 39.5 percent from the 3-point line on the West Coast. They were a plus-16.8 overall, and even better in the final three games, all victories. Continue reading →

BRUINS NOTEBOOK

With Bruins in need of scoring punch, it may be time to add Georgii Merkulov to the mix

In his second season with Providence, Merkulov has 30 points in 31 games, and reports note an improvement in his 200-foot game. Continue reading →

Technology

From AI to X, here’s a look back at the year in tech

Systems like ChatGPT, Bard, and Midjourney have stunned, thrilled, and even scared us since their debut in late 2022, with no innovation since the smartphone hitting quite this hard, this fast. Continue reading →

Business

Tree House Brewing owners deny allegations of wrongdoing in ongoing lawsuit

Weeks after a lawsuit came down on the Charlton-based business, the majority owners have broadly denied allegations they had showered themselves in excessive salaries, splurged on luxury vehicles, and pursued secretive real estate holdings. Continue reading →

THE FINE PRINT

In six years, The Fine Print has saved consumers $1.2 million

From coverage after a "check washing" scam to compensation for a lost suitcase, 2023 saw justice brought to scores of customers who were treated unfairly by corporations, companies, or insurers. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Herbert Kohl, former Wisconsin Senator and Milwaukee Bucks owner, dies at 88

A Wisconsin Democrat, Herbert H. Kohl kept watch over federal budgets in four terms as a US senator, but as the die-hard owner of the NBA’s often mediocre Milwaukee Bucks spent lavishly to keep the team afloat in his hometown. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Jiang Ping, the ‘conscience of China’s legal world,’ dies at 92

A legal scholar, Jiang Ping helped lay the foundation for China’s civil code, and his experiences with political persecution shaped his relentless advocacy for individual rights in the face of state power. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Pope.L, provocative performance artist, dies at 68

The conceptual and performance artist, often from a prone position, explored themes of race, class, and what he called “have-not-ness.” Continue reading →

PARENTING UNFILTERED

In praise of old friends

Legacy friendships are important, and if we're lucky enough to have one, then we're lucky enough. These are the people we’ve known forever, the people who remember our parents, our acne, our romantic woes. Like a good therapist, they know all the details. And they’re a lot cheaper, too. Continue reading →

Music

Aerosmith aims to resume farewell tour by summer or fall of 2024, Joe Perry says

The band had to scratch a New Year's Eve date at TD Garden due to singer Steven Tyler's vocal cord injury, “but with any luck we will be back out late summer and fall of 24,” Perry said in a text. “And there’s always next New Year’s Eve!" Continue reading →

Music

The unparalleled reign of Latifah, hip-hop’s one and only Queen

She was a trailblazer for female rap artists, but that was only the beginning of a career that has encompassed movies, TV, singing, fashion, and business. Continue reading →