Nation

CDC director defends abrupt reversal on mask recommendations

The nation’s top public health official on Sunday defended her agency’s abrupt reversal on wide-ranging mask recommendations, saying that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had weighed new data before announcing that Americans who had been vaccinated could go without masks. Continue reading →

Politics

Refugees arriving in US unlikely to exceed cap set by Trump

President Biden, under political pressure, agreed to admit four times as many refugees this budget year as his predecessor did, but resettlement agencies concede the number actually allowed into the United States will be closer to the record-low cap of 15,000 set by former president Donald Trump. Continue reading →

Politics

AP’s top editor calls for probe into Israeli airstrike

The Associated Press’s top editor on Sunday called for an independent investigation into the Israeli airstrike that targeted and destroyed a Gaza City building housing the AP, broadcaster Al-Jazeera, and other media, saying the public deserves to know the facts. Continue reading →

World

A scratched hint of ancient ties stirs national furies in Europe

In a region long fought over by rival ethnic and linguistic groups, archaeologists in the Czech Republic have discovered something unusual in these turbulent parts: evidence that peoples locked in hostility for much of the modern era got along in centuries past. Continue reading →

World

Afghan cease-fire ends amid calls for fresh peace talks

A three-day cease-fire marked by violent attacks — most claimed by the Islamic State group — ended Sunday in Afghanistan amid calls for renewed peace talks between the government and Taliban. Continue reading →

World

When fighting erupts between Israel and Hamas, charges of war crimes follow

Civilians are paying an especially high price in the latest bout of violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, raising urgent questions about how the laws of war apply to the conflagration. Continue reading →

OPINION

India’s tragedy reverberates around the world

The crisis is a stark reminder that what’s happening in India could happen elsewhere. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

A solution for hunger takes shape in Chelsea and Cambridge

Food insecurity in Massachusetts increased 55 percent during the pandemic, requiring policy makers to look for new ways to get food to the hungry. Continue reading →

OPINION

In India, the pandemic may turn back the clock on women’s empowerment

Women and girls worry that they will be forced to return to a time before their voices were heard, their potential was recognized, and their contributions to society were valued. Continue reading →

Metro

‘I would have given my life for those two kids’: Brockton community mourns drowning of young cousins

The victims have been identified as Rafael Andrande, 13, and Tiago Depina, 12, both of Brockton. The tragedy at Waldo Lake early Saturday evening left the city heartbroken and those who tried to save the boys stunned. Continue reading →

Metro

Baker expected to update state reopening early this week, following CDC indoor mask changes

With Governor Charlie Baker expected to update the state’s reopening plan this week — following a dramatic easing of national indoor mask guidance for fully vaccinated people — some local public health experts urged him to ensure that any changes will protect those who haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccine. Continue reading →

Politics

By mishandling her response to the White investigation, Janey is whiffing on police reform

The Dennis White fiasco is not of Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s making. But she isn’t doing much to unmake it, either. Continue reading →

ALEX SPEIER | ON BASEBALL

Red Sox bullpen looks like it will need reinforcements

The situation that cost Boston the game on Sunday, Matt Barnes showing down with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in the ninth, could've been avoided with better work an inning earlier. Continue reading →

Gary Washburn | On basketball

Celtics start preparation for the play-in game they hoped to avoid

Can the Celtics return to playing capable and consistent basketball without the mental lapses and lack of effort stretches that have plagued them this season? Can the playoffs motivate these guys to become the team they were expected to be in December? Continue reading →

Knicks 96, Celtics 92

The Celtics let their backups mop up the season finale, and they gave the Knicks a game before losing

The Celtics finished the regular season 36-36 and will play as the No. 7 seed in the NBA’s play-in tournament this week. Continue reading →

Innovation Economy

For Toast, the restaurant-tech firm, going public may be on the menu

Following a Wall Street Journal report in February that Toast was meeting with investment bankers to get ready for an initial public offering that might value it at $20 billion, just about everyone at the company has been tightlipped. Continue reading →

Business

Seeing the environmental issue, brewers and their allies craft a way to recycle plastic beer can carriers

Breweries have become collection sites for can carriers, allowing customers to return the empty toppers when they pick up more beer. Continue reading →

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Obituaries

Susan Cole, pioneering advocate for traumatized children in schools, dies at 72

A lawyer and educator, Cole founded the Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative, a collaboration between Massachusetts Advocates for Children and Harvard Law School. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Susan Cole, pioneering advocate for traumatized children in schools, dies at 72

A lawyer and educator, Cole founded the Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative, a collaboration between Massachusetts Advocates for Children and Harvard Law School. Continue reading →

Continue reading →

NAMES

Prince Harry thought about quitting royal life in his 20s

The Duke of Sussex spoke candidly with host Dax Shepard during an episode of the “Armchair Expert” podcast about keeping his relationship with Meghan a secret and dealing with UK media scrutiny. Continue reading →

BOOKS

Author John Green explores the human experience through five-star reviews

He is a superstar in the world of young adult fiction but his latest book, “The Anthropocene Reviewed,” is a nonfiction work aimed at adult readers. Originally launched as a podcast, the book is a massive, unruly collection of “reviews” of everything from sunsets to the Lascaux cave paintings to Diet Dr. Pepper. Continue reading →

Lifestyle

This Boston-based literacy group is helping kids read through the pandemic

The three-decades-old Boston literacy nonprofit Generations Incorporated is moving into its new era with a fresh name: Literations. Continue reading →