All of the headlines from today's paper.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Today's Headlines

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Page one

Elections

In helping upend spending deal, Elon Musk foreshadows his power in Trump’s administration

The SpaceX founder and Tesla chief executive has demonstrated his money, megaphone, and misinformation can act like a rocket booster to the typical Trump chaos. Continue reading →

COURTS

‘Skeleton crews.’ ‘Endless tasks.’ What employees said about working conditions at CVS, according to a federal lawsuit.

The Department of Justice says the pharmacy giant unlawfully dispensed opioids and other controlled substances. The staffers who worked there paint a vivid picture of how conditions that allowed it to happen. Continue reading →

Crime & Courts

‘There are very serious problems’: Federal lawsuits lay out allegations against Worcester police

Advocate groups welcomed the report, saying it finally vindicated longstanding complaints they say the city and police have historically refused to acknowledge. Continue reading →

Politics

Government lurches toward shutdown after House tanks Trump’s spending plan

The vote sent Speaker Mike Johnson back to the drawing board before a Friday night deadline with no clear path to keeping the government open. Continue reading →

World

With guilty verdicts, victim’s rape ordeal in France becomes a message of hope

Every one of the 51 accused men, including her ex-husband, were convicted, most of them for raping Gisèle Pelicot in her own bedroom. Continue reading →

Boston Globe Today

Holiday weekend forecast

The weather can be summed up by one word: cold. Lead meteorologist Ken Mahan breaks down the forecast. Plus, will it be a white Christmas? Watch →

2024 in Politics: Wild year on college campuses

Political reporter James Pindell talks with higher education reporter Hilary Burns about student protests, Washington pushback, and resignations. Watch →

Most popular ‘Love Letters’ in 2024

A married woman struggles with desire. A student fears confessing to a friend. Columnist and features writer Meredith Goldstein lists the year's top letters. Watch →

The Nation

Nation

Former top aide to New York City’s mayor pleads not guilty in bribery case

“This was an unfettered, on-call, quid pro quo arrangement” in which the top aide and her son raked in over $100,000 and got other help in exchange for her speeding approvals for construction projects, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. Continue reading →

Nation

Appeals court disqualifies Fani Willis from prosecuting Georgia Trump case

If the lower court’s decision stands, it could doom the case, which is the last active criminal prosecution involving charges against President-elect Donald Trump. Continue reading →

Politics

Pentagon says it doubled the number of US troops in Syria before Assad’s fall

A spokesman said the increase in forces was temporary and they are there to augment the US operations against the Islamic State group. Continue reading →

The World

World

With Assad gone, Syrians in Homs assess the destruction

As those who stayed shaked off the terror of living under dictatorship, those who are returning expressed shock at the destruction. Continue reading →

World

Zelensky raises prospect of European peacekeepers in Ukraine

The Ukrainian president, however, added that only NATO membership could prevent future Russian attacks. Continue reading →

World

Putin glosses over Russian setbacks, including Syria

At his four-hour, year-end news conference, the Russian leader also made a fresh appeal to Donald Trump that he was ready to talk to the president-elect “anytime.” Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

LETTERS

Keep up the good work, Phil Eng!

"One only wonders why the Globe didn’t name Eng Bostonian of the Year?" says one writer. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

The heroes of the Sandra Birchmore investigation: her friends and family

Authorities said the 23-year-old’s death was a suicide. But people who knew her rejected that theory — and now her alleged killer is awaiting trial. Continue reading →

LETTERS

Consider health before lawyers

"Legislators and executives should take it upon themselves to make sure no community is burdened with unhealthy energy facilities," argues one writer. Continue reading →

Metro

Massachusetts

In the event of federal shutdown, Logan does not expect service interruptions

Many federal employees needed for the airport’s operation are considered essential employees, meaning they would continue to come to work. Continue reading →

Metro

Can Massachusetts prevent the next Steward-like scandal?

Certainly, a lack of transparency and disclosure helped fuel the Steward crisis. But the inability of three administrations to recognize and address this company’s misdeeds doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. Continue reading →

Politics

Amid child care crisis, Healey seeks to give more money back to Mass. providers

The new proposal builds on the changes the state made to early education and care funding earlier this year, in an effort to remedy “long-standing inequities” in the funds providers in some parts of the state receive compared with others. Continue reading →

Sports

Celtics

‘It’s been a tough week.’ Jaylen Brown addresses break-in at his mother’s Wellesley home.

Burglaries at homes own by Jaylen Brown and assistant coach Amile Jefferson have left team on high alert Continue reading →

Tara Sullivan

Are the Drake Maye-Josh Allen comparisons valid? The Patriots can only hope so.

As Maye gets ready to face the Bills on Sunday, it’s impossible not to see Allen as the perfect embodiment of the dream. Continue reading →

Celtics

Doc Rivers candidate for Basketball Hall of Fame

Former Celtics coach, who led team to the NBA title in 2008, is fourth on all-time list for playoff victories Continue reading →

Business

Trendlines

Bah, humbug: After three interest rate cuts, the Fed is planning a stingier 2025

The central bank signaled fewer rate reductions next year as inflation persists. Continue reading →

Jobs

Workers at three Massachusetts Amazon facilities picket in support of striking delivery workers

Employees in Charlton, North Andover, and Fall River demonstrated on Thursday to support the striking workers at seven Amazon facilities around the US. Continue reading →

Technology

No, you shouldn’t shoot at a drone. But defending against them is a huge challenge.

Identifying and neutralizing drones with hostile or unknown intent can be difficult or even dangerous — particularly in civilian areas. And the challenge is only becoming more acute. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Obituaries

Richard W. Murphy, roving diplomat in world hot spots, dies at 95

In the 1980s, he was the top Mideast expert in the State Department and helped end a long civil war in Lebanon. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Sir Lady Java, ’60s drag star who challenged the law, dies

Lacking much ready-made language to define her, Ms. Java invented her own identity as much as she invented her act. Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

Arts

150 ornaments, a lot of glitter. These local designers turned the White House Green Room into a Christmas wonderland.

John Ross and Don Carney went to Washington, D.C., on Thanksgiving weekend to set up the display. "When you’re asked to decorate a stateroom in the White House, it’s a big deal.” Continue reading →

PARENTING UNFILTERED

‘Organizing … should start at the youngest ages.’ The Home Edit duo shares kid-friendly cleanup strategies.

Celebrity organizers Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin have a new kids' book, "The Rainbow Cleanup," coming out on Dec. 31, just in time for post-holiday decluttering. Continue reading →

Books

A romance bookstore debuts in Harvard Square

This week’s launch of Lovestruck Books, the area’s first permanent store of its kind, is part of a national trend in publishing. Continue reading →