Boston Globe Today | February 14, 2024

WATCH: Wednesday's episode. Stories include the fight over student loan forgiveness. Watch →

President Biden's student loan issue

WATCH: Reporter Jim Puzzanghera discusses student loans and what President Biden has done to fulfill his campaign promises to forgive debt. Watch →

The growing concern over fake robocalls

WATCH: Reporter Hiawatha Bray details the growing issues regarding robocalls and how AI is being used to falsify politicians voices. Watch →

Nation

After border bill failure, ICE considers mass releases to close budget gap

The bipartisan border bill that Republican lawmakers opposed last week would have provided $6 billion in supplemental funding for ICE enforcement operations. Continue reading →

Nation

Some pregnant women and infants received the wrong RSV shots

This winter, for the first time ever, there were two vaccines available to ward off respiratory syncytial virus, which is particularly dangerous to older adults and infants. Only one of them — Abrysvo, made by Pfizer — was approved for pregnant women, and neither was for young children. Continue reading →

Political Notebook

Suozzi win in N.Y. narrows GOP hold on House

His victory leaves the GOP able to afford only two defections from the party line on votes when all members are present. Continue reading →

World

A feared former general appears set to become Indonesia’s new leader

Indonesia’s defense minister, a feared former general who was removed from the army after he was found responsible for the kidnapping of political dissidents, appeared to be on track to win the presidential election outright on Wednesday, casting doubts on the future of one of the world’s most vibrant democracies. Continue reading →

World

Israel strikes in Lebanon after deadly rocket attack

Israel carried out extensive and lethal airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday in response to a deadly rocket attack on northern Israel, escalations in recent fighting that threaten to derail diplomatic efforts to prevent a major expansion of the war in the Gaza Strip. Continue reading →

World

US has new intelligence about Russia’s nuclear capabilities

Officials said that the new intelligence was serious — but that the capability was still under development, and Russia had not deployed it. Continue reading →

OPINION

Can rowing save your soul?

Why is everyone rowing? Because it’s great, that’s why. Continue reading →

OPINION

Jill Biden makes the case that Joe isn’t too old. Should we believe her?

Jill Biden loves her husband too much to jeopardize his legacy by encouraging him to run for a second term if she knows he can’t do the job. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

On NATO, Trump doesn’t speak for the nation. GOP lawmakers should stand with our allies by standing up to his bullying.

There is still plenty of damage Trump can do to the reputation and security of America. Simply implying that our commitment to NATO is anything short of ironclad weakens deterrence and invites instability. Continue reading →

Politics

Boston City Council sidesteps debate on resolution supporting negotiated ceasefire in Gaza

Councilor Ben Weber, who is Jewish and in his first term, filed the resolution, but ultimately withdrew the measure, saying it had come to his attention that the language “may cause more division, which is the opposite of what [he] had hoped to do.” Continue reading →

Higher Education

MIT president suspends student group critical of war in Gaza, says action ‘not related to content’ of demonstrations

The group said the suspension was an attack “on our right to protest.” Continue reading →

Money, Power, Inequality

‘We were building tables’: Demita Frazier reflects on influential Black feminist collective

The Boston-based activist has been a leader of “smart, capable, unruly Black women” and a pioneer of intersectional feminist theory. Continue reading →

CELTICS 136, NETS 86

Celtics cut down Nets again, this time by a whopping 50 points, in final game before All-Star break

The NBA-best Celtics are 43-12, on pace for 64 wins, at the break. Payton Pritchard led with 28 points in the fifth victory by 50 points or more in franchise history. Continue reading →

Gary Washburn | On basketball

After earning a well-deserved break, Joe Mazzulla knows Celtics must guard against complacency

“When we come back we have to reconnect and reestablish what we’re doing.” Continue reading →

CELTICS NOTEBOOK

Joe Mazzulla makes intentions clear about coaching Celtics to foul while winning

The uncommon strategy employed by Mazzulla is based in analytics and Tuesday night in Brooklyn, it paid if in a win. Continue reading →

Healthcare

Steward hospital crisis an ‘urgent priority’ for Healey, as state braces for potential closures

The governor said Massachusetts will soon have monitors in place at all the system’s hospitals and is exploring its emergency powers amid fears of hospital closures. Continue reading →

Energy

Eversource finally found a buyer for two wind farms. Now it’s looking to sell its water business.

Together, these divestitures represent an end to Eversource’s money-losing return to the world of electricity generation, about two decades after its predecessor companies got out of the power-plant business. Continue reading →

innovation beat

Where do all those Amazon EV delivery vans recharge?

Hint: It's not in Boston. Continue reading →

Obituaries

William Post, who played a key role in developing Pop-Tarts, dies at 96

Mr. Post had retired at age 56 as a senior vice president with Keebler Company and settled in Glen Arbor, Michigan. Continue reading →

Obituaries

David Bouley, influential New York chef, dies at 70

Mr. Bouley persuaded diners to put themselves in his hands, with no printed menu or specific number of courses. He wielded sorbets and vinegars to brightening the profile of restaurant food, which he considered overly dependent on butter and cream. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Cecilia Gentili, transgender activist, performer, and author, dies at 52

A fierce advocate for transgender people and sex workers and a powerful legislative lobbyist, Cecilia Gentili was also an author and a bawdy, searing performer. Continue reading →

Television

Matt Damon welcomes the newest DunKings member: Stephen Colbert

"You’re in the band," Damon told the "Late Show" host as they donned Dunkin’ tracksuits on Tuesday night. Continue reading →

PHOTOGRAPHY REVIEW

Home cooking? No, home looking, courtesy of the PRC

The Photographic Resource Center’s "Home Sweet Home" offers many different views of domesticity. Continue reading →

Movies

‘Madame Web’ star Sydney Sweeney talks Britney Spears, spider suits, and how she ‘fell in love with Boston’

Boston became a home away from home for Sydney Sweeney and the crew of “Madame Web” while filming around town in 2022. Continue reading →