Nation

Republicans seek to delay early infrastructure vote amid lingering disputes over $1 trillion deal

The new rift emerged less than 24 hours before the chamber was set to take that critical procedural step toward considering a still-forming, roughly $1 trillion agreement to improve the nation’s roads, bridges, pipes, ports, and Internet connections. Continue reading →

Nation

$26 billion settlement with opioid distributors, J&J expected to be announced in the next few days

The deal could set aside funds for governments as soon as the end of September, according to those familiar with the negotiations. Continue reading →

Nation

A drought so dire that a Utah town pulled the plug on growth

The spring that pioneers once used to water their hayfields and filled people’s taps for decades dwindled to a trickle in this year’s scorching drought. So town officials took drastic action to preserve their water: They stopped building. Continue reading →

World

India’s pandemic death toll could be in the millions

India’s excess deaths during the coronavirus pandemic could be a staggering 10 times the official COVID-19 toll, likely making it modern India’s worst human tragedy, according to the most comprehensive research yet on the ravages of the virus in the South Asian country. Continue reading →

World

Muslims mark Eid al-Adha holiday in pandemic’s shadow

Muslims around the world were observing Tuesday yet another major Islamic holiday in the shadow of the pandemic and amid growing concerns about the highly infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus. Continue reading →

World

To China, Trump was bad. Biden seems even worse.

From China’s perspective, the blows from the United States just keep coming. Sanctions and export controls over the crackdown in Xinjiang. A warning to international businesses about the deteriorating climate in Hong Kong. The rejection of visas for students and researchers suspected of having links to the People’s Liberation Army. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

The heat is on cities — and it’s not going away

Increasingly deadly heat waves demand fixes today and solutions for the long term. Continue reading →

OPINION

Radical and unyielding, Gloria Richardson’s activism cannot be erased

That historians often overlooked the civil rights icon never mattered to her. She only wanted to be 'a servant to her race.' Continue reading →

LETTERS

Lifetime bans of unruly fans — is that like double secret probation?

Suppose that, before stadium officials remove apprehended offenders, they take mug-shot-like photos, blow them up, and post them on walls of shame in places where entering patrons cannot help but see them. Continue reading →

Metro

Boston police emphasize de-escalation, disengagement in mental health calls

The guidelines, effective immediately, call for calm and measured responses and attention to the needs of the person in crisis, and affirm that “persons suffering from possible mental illness are afforded the same constitutional rights as everyone else.” Continue reading →

Metro

People are finally returning to the office — and their desks feel like time capsules from March 2020

As workers take stock of their desks and bid farewell to their work-from-home routines, they are being thrown back into another world — one that almost feels like a different lifetime. Continue reading →

Metro

All lanes of I-93 south in Medford will reopen Wednesday, officials say; truck driver fined for violations

Transportation officials were urging drivers to steer clear of I-93 south on Tuesday and to expect delays on Route 1 south, Route 16, Route 28, and Roosevelt Circle for the next several months as the bridge is repaired. Continue reading →

Red Sox

Jack López can thank Alex Cora for being able to play baseball for the US Olympic team

The infielder was swayed by a point made by his wife, telling him, “Not too many kids can say their dad is an Olympian.” Continue reading →

Red Sox

Red Sox’ game against Blue Jays rained out in Buffalo

The game will be made up when the Red Sox go to Toronto for the first time since 2019 as part of a split doubleheader Saturday, Aug. 7. Continue reading →

Red Sox

Chris Sale shines in rehab start for Portland Sea Dogs

Sale, who underwent Tommy John surgery last March, went 3⅔ hitless innings before being lifted after throwing 49 pitches (34 for strikes). Continue reading →

Business

Maine passes nation’s first law to make big companies pay for the cost of recycling their packaging

Soon, global giants like Amazon, Walmart, Unilever, and Proctor & Gamble will be forced to track the type and amount of packaging they sell into Maine. Nearly a dozen states, including Massachusetts, are on track to follow suit. Continue reading →

Business

Worker advocates blast state — again — for failing to protect workers from COVID

A group of labor advocates is once again decrying the state’s inaction on COVID-19 workplace safety, citing its decisions to drop Massachusetts regulations on masking, distancing, and sanitization and to disregard new federal protections for public-sector health care workers. Continue reading →

TALKING POINTS

Massive re-do of Somerville’s Union Square set to break ground

Stories you may have missed from the world of business. Continue reading →

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MUSEUMS

Harvard Art Museums to reopen — finally — in September

The building has remained closed to the public since March 12, 2020. Continue reading →

MUSIC

Composer Nkeiru Okoye puts heroism of Black women at center stage

Her new piece for South Shore Conservatory focuses on cardiologist and Wellesley College president Paula Johnson. Continue reading →

Names

Halle Berry spotted in Plainville shooting Netflix sci-fi film ‘The Mothership’

Oscar-winner Halle Berry was at Don's Diner in Plainville on Monday, shooting the upcoming Netflix film "The Mothership." Continue reading →