The Battle for the GOP

Economic hardship and anxiety have accelerated the Republican Party’s radicalization, experts say

It's seen as part of a complex mix that includes racism along with other factors such as sexism and xenophobia and long-simmering resentment of the expansion of the federal government. Continue reading →

Nation

US alleges wider Oath Keepers conspiracy, adds more charges in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Six more people linked to the far-right Oath Keepers militia group have been indicted on charges that they planned and coordinated with one another in the attack on the US Capitol, authorities said Friday. Continue reading →

Nation

Southern cities hit hard by storms face new crisis: No water

Texas authorities ordered 7 million people — a quarter of the population in the nation’s second-largest state — to boil tap water before drinking it because low water pressure could have allowed bacteria to seep into the system. A man died at an Abilene health care facility when a lack of water pressure made medical treatment impossible. Continue reading →

World

Muted reaction in Israel and Gulf to US push for Iran talks

The formal announcement that the Biden administration was seeking a return to nuclear negotiations with Iran, following the collapse of the 2015 agreement under former president Donald Trump, was initially met with a muted response — not just in Jerusalem but also in the Gulf states of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which also oppose too generous a rapprochement with Iran. Continue reading →

World

Harry and Meghan to give up official royal family duties

Prince Harry has relinquished his honorary military titles and royal patronage appointments, Buckingham Palace said Friday, cementing the split between him and the royal family that opened up last year when he and his wife, Meghan, announced that they wanted to step back from their official duties. Continue reading →

World

Erik Prince, Trump ally, violated Libya arms embargo, UN Report Says

Erik Prince, the former head of the security contractor Blackwater Worldwide, violated a United Nations arms embargo on Libya by sending weapons to a militia commander who was attempting to overthrow the internationally backed government, according to U.N. investigators. Continue reading →

OPINION

Lesson unlearned: Why Black and Latino residents are at the back of the vaccine line

The Baker administration seemed to give in to pressure to distribute the vaccine as widely as possible, a goal that is at odds with prioritizing equity. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

How not to pick a police commissioner

Marty Walsh bungled the process, choosing Dennis A. White as the city’s top cop without a search or serious background check. The next mayor shouldn’t repeat that mistake. Continue reading →

LETTERS

After Trump acquittal, accountability is still sought

"A court of law is where neither power nor popularity is supposed to exempt a criminal from due process and potential consequences." Continue reading →

Billy Baker

I may not be cut out for ice fishing. Or ice drinking

One of the largest events on the New Hampshire winter calendar is a two-day ice fishing competition that takes place on Lake Winnipesaukee. The derby is famous for raising lots of money for scholarships and local programs, and infamous for just about everything else. Continue reading →

Billy Baker

I may not be cut out for ice fishing. Or ice drinking

One of the largest events on the New Hampshire winter calendar is a two-day ice fishing competition that takes place on Lake Winnipesaukee. The derby is famous for raising lots of money for scholarships and local programs, and infamous for just about everything else. Continue reading →

thomas farragher

There are new all-stars at Fenway Park, carrying syringes of vaccine and doses of hope

Inside Fenway Park, trained nurses waited, their syringes filled with a COVID-19 vaccine to help put down a pandemic. Continue reading →

patriots

Adrian Phillips plugged some holes and was a valuable addition to Patriots secondary

The defensive backfield shouldn't need much overhaul this offseason, pending the statuses of J.C. Jackson and Stephon Gilmore. Continue reading →

red sox

Red Sox lefthander Eduardo Rodríguez declares, ‘I feel 100 percent’

After his bouts with COVID and myocarditis last year, the big question is durability, but he has every intention of making his 34 starts. Continue reading →

GARY WASHBURN | ON BASKETBALL

With Kemba Walker pointing the way, Celtics finally put all the pieces together at the perfect time

Walker had 28 points, his highest total in more than a year, and all five starters were in double figures as Boston responded just 48 hours after ugly loss to Atlanta. Continue reading →

Business

State promises more fixes to troubled vaccine website, as officials, vendor trade blame over crash

Massachusetts officials said they are planning a key upgrade to the state’s vaccine website that should resolve a major frustration people are having with the system: losing their time slot while they fill out the lengthy forms to confirm their appointment. Continue reading →

Commentary

Boston’s new contracting goal could steer an additional $160 million to entrepreneurs of color over the next few years

An executive order Mayor Walsh signed this week requires that at least 10 percent of the money the city spends annually on outside contracts for construction and professional services and goods goes to companies owned by people of color. Continue reading →

Business

State promises more fixes to troubled vaccine website, as officials, vendor trade blame over crash

Massachusetts officials said they are planning a key upgrade to the state’s vaccine website that should resolve a major frustration people are having with the system: losing their time slot while they fill out the lengthy forms to confirm their appointment. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Patricia Lynch, NBC journalist who focused on cults, dies at 82

An investigative television journalist who specialized in exposing cults and their leaders, including Lyndon LaRouche, a political extremist who ran for president eight times, Patricia Lynch died Feb. 3 at her home in Manhattan. She was 82. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Johnny Pacheco, musician whose Fania record label launched salsa music, dies at 85

Mr. Pacheco, who was dubbed the “godfather of salsa,” was a Juilliard-trained musician and bandleader, but his greatest contributions may have been as an impresario. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Prince Markie Dee, founding member of rap trio Fat Boys, dies at 52

As a member of the trio Fat Boys, Prince Markie Dee released some of hip-hop’s most commercially successful albums of the 1980s and helped speed the genre’s absorption into pop culture. Continue reading →

CHRISTOPHER MUTHER

Ted Cruz: Poster child for bad travel decisions

The senator’s Cancun trip shows callousness not just toward the Texans he left behind, but toward every American actually following the rules. Continue reading →

LOVE LETTERS

I want it to be the four of us

Help a letter writer who wants to spend time with her husband and another couple. Continue reading →

TV CRITIC'S CORNER

‘The Knick’ deserves a binge, and (maybe) a spinoff

The show, which was canceled way too soon, may become the proud parent of a spinoff, one that will focus on Andre Holland’s character, Dr. Algernon C. Edwards. Continue reading →