All of the headlines from today's paper.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Today's Headlines

Trump presidency: We're gathering all the latest news, updates, and analysis. Follow live.

Page one

Economy

Why a weaker Harvard would mean a weaker Massachusetts

Money flows out of Harvard into biotechs, housing projects, and retail storefronts. The school powers hospitals, tourism, and philanthropy. It employs 18,000 people. Now much of that ecosystem feels at risk. Continue reading →

Higher Education

Harvard president calls Trump administration’s funding cutoff an ‘unlawful attempt’ to exert control

Alan Garber told the education secretary in a letter that they “share common ground” on some “critical issues," but denounced the Trump administration's tactics. Continue reading →

Healthcare

Mass. residents who take GLP-1 drugs for obesity tend to be white and affluent. But who needs them most?

The trends worry health experts, who say the medicines have potential to narrow differences in obesity rates among demographic groups, but may in fact be widening them. Continue reading →

Healthcare

Amid union vote, Mass General Brigham to invest nearly $400 million in primary care

The state’s largest health care system said Monday that it plans to invest the money over the next five years. Continue reading →

Politics

US and China take a step back from sky-high tariffs and agree to pause for 90 days for more talks

Stock markets rose sharply as the globe’s two major economic powers took a step back from a clash that has unsettled the global economy. Continue reading →

The Nation

Nation

With no real policy, Trump asks drugmakers to lower US prices

President Trump signed an executive order asking drugmakers to reduce the prices of key medicines, adding that the administration would consider taking regulatory actions if drugmakers do not comply. Continue reading →

Nation

Trump administration welcomes 59 white South Africans as refugees

The Trump administration on Monday welcomed a group of 59 white South Africans as refugees, saying they face discrimination and violence at home. Continue reading →

Nation

Mexican American singer Johnny Rodriguez, whose 1970s country hits topped charts, dies at 73

Mr. Rodriguez, who was named the most promising male vocalist at the 1972 Academy of Country Music Awards, was acquitted in the shooting death an acquaintance in 1999. Continue reading →

The World

World

Hamas frees American held in Gaza in deal that largely circumvents Israel

Hamas released Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage it held in the Gaza Strip, on Monday evening after mediators brokered a deal between the group and the United States that largely circumvented the Israeli government. Continue reading →

World

Trump, pressed on Qatari jet, says only ‘stupid’ people reject gifts

President Trump angrily brushed off ethical concerns about accepting a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar to be used as a new Air Force One, saying only someone “stupid” would turn down such an offer. Continue reading →

World

Trump wants Saudi Arabia to invest its money in the United States. All of it.

President Trump embarks on a visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday with a $1 trillion wish list for investments in the United States — a sum equivalent to the kingdom’s entire gross domestic product last year. Continue reading →

Editorial & Opinion

Editorials

They paved paradise …

OK, maybe Copley Square wasn’t exactly paradise. But renovation didn’t have to turn it into a barren, soulless landscape in the heart of the city. Continue reading →

Columns

Is Boston the safest city in America? Not for everyone, says Josh Kraft.

While it’s “awesome” that the homicide rate is down, Kraft said, “a lot of people feel a lot of fear.” Continue reading →

Columns

‘We’re very stressed out’: New Bedford reels from ICE crackdown

If immigrants have to worry about being deported amid Trump’s crackdown, they’re less likely to report mistreatment. Continue reading →

Metro

Politics

Brian Shortsleeve, a former T general manager, launches Republican campaign for governor

In a campaign announcement video, the former Marine Corps officer promised a conservative vision built on cutting spending. Continue reading →

Massachusetts

Seeking silence in the Berkshires

Desperately seeking silence, I enlist the aid of Jess Frey, a Kripalu yoga educator, life coach, and artist who conducts silent retreats. Continue reading →

Politics

AG Campbell sued Trump more than a dozen times in his first 100 days, saying ‘courts are our strongest tool’

In President Trump's first 100 days of his second term, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has taken part in more than a dozen lawsuits against his administration. Continue reading →

Sports

Red Sox

What is the Red Sox’ plan at first base? Here are a number of possibilities to consider.

The least-complicated way would be for Rafael Devers to come to the conclusion that $313.5 million brought the Red Sox the right to tell him to move to first base. Continue reading →

Celtics

‘We’ve lost our leader:’ Jayson Tatum’s injury wasn’t why the Celtics lost, but the pall it cast changed this series

The Celtics are down 3-1, their season on the brink but not over yet. But as tears fell at Madison Square Garden, it was clear this moment won't be easy to shake. Continue reading →

Celtics

If Jayson Tatum’s injury is as bad as it appears, the Celtics’ chances to repeat are as slim as ever

Without Tatum, at least in the short term, it may still be possible to beat the Knicks. But without Tatum for the long term, it may not matter. Continue reading →

Business

Bold Types

Boston’s Vivien Li is feted for a lifetime of environmental work

Senate President Karen Spilka eyes tax break for apartment builders; MullenLowe lands Jordan’s Furniture account; SharkNinja moves work out of China; Takeda’s Julie Kim addresses AIM. Continue reading →

Economy

‘Neither side wants a decoupling’: US and China linked by trade despite intense rivalry

Both the United States and China acknowledge their mutual dependence with an agreement to pause their tariff war. Continue reading →

Healthcare

Mass. Department of Public Health pushes back against Framingham Union Hospital nursery reduction

The hospital must now provide a detailed plan to not harm access to care. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Obituaries

Joseph S. Nye Jr., Kennedy School dean who coined ‘soft power’ concept, dies at 88

Dr. Nye showed how foreign policy goals could be achieved "through attraction rather than coercion or payment." Continue reading →

Obituaries

Bill Aitken, writer who adopted India as ‘father’ of hippies, dies at 90

Mr. Aitken hitchhiked from England to India in 1959 and became a literary guru for generations of wanderers with books that explored the subcontinent’s rivers and railways and the spiritual quest that shaped his life. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Margot Friedländer, Holocaust survivor who found her voice, dies at 103

After 60 years in exile in the United States, Ms. Friedländer found her voice, a mission, and, eventually, her homeland once more. Continue reading →

Arts & Lifestyle

Arts

‘Reformed’ is a charming show about a young rabbi

The series, set in Paris, is based on the book "Living With Our Dead." Continue reading →

Love Letters

How does one start making face-to-face connections?

Asking for a shy loved one. Continue reading →

Music

At Somerville concert, Amanda Palmer says she feels ‘overwhelmed’

The singer performed new music that seemed to be inspired by the allegations against her ex husband. Continue reading →