Nation

Biden to convene a summit of democracies in December

“The purpose is really to solicit new and meaningful commitments to defend against authoritarianism, address and fight corruption, and promote respect for human rights both at home and abroad,” a senior administration official said. Continue reading →

Nation

Senate passes $3.5 trillion budget plan, advancing sweeping safety net expansion

The Senate took a major step early Wednesday toward enacting a vast expansion of the nation’s social safety net, approving a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint along party lines that would allow Democrats to tackle climate change, and fund health care, child care, family leave, and public education expansion while increasing taxes on wealthy people and corporations. Continue reading →

Nation

Senate adjourns until September without advancing voting rights legislation

The Senate left Washington for a month-long summer recess early Wednesday morning without showing new progress on voting rights legislation. Continue reading →

World

Germany arrests British Embassy worker suspected of spying for Russia

An employee of the British Embassy in Germany has been detained on suspicion of slipping documents from his workplace to Russian intelligence, Germany’s federal prosecutor said Wednesday in the latest case of suspected espionage involving agents from Moscow. Continue reading →

World

Taliban complete northeast Afghan blitz as more cities fall

The Taliban seized three more Afghan provincial capitals and a local army headquarters Wednesday, completing a blitz across the country’s northeast and giving them control of two-thirds of the nation as the United States and NATO finalize their withdrawal after decades of war. Continue reading →

World

China sentences Canadian businessman to 11 years in prison

For years, as Michael Spavor tried to expand his business in North Korea, China appeared to offer the stable base from where he could set up deals, tours, and even diplomatic forays into the North involving Dennis Rodman, the retired basketball star. On Wednesday, Spavor became a warning about the growing risks of operating in China, as tensions with the West rise and Beijing takes an increasingly combative approach to defending its interests. Continue reading →

OPINION

I’m a survivor of sex trafficking and invisible no more

In the State Department Trafficking in Persons Report this year, I finally saw stories of LGBTQ survivors, and even a profile of a male survivor. This is a start, but it’s not enough. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Baker needs to show leadership on masks in schools

A universal mandate is better than the current hodge-podge of local rules. Continue reading →

OPINION

Will the Tom Menino model work for Kim Janey?

A surprise ending to the Boston mayor’s race still seems possible. Continue reading →

Metro

They’re killing us. Can we vote them out?

Here's a way to handle the climate change and vaccination deniers: Deny them wins at the ballot box. Continue reading →

Metro

This Mashpee resident is highlighting the ‘ridiculous’ posts found in people’s hometown Facebook groups

Welcome to Anthony Varela’s “The Town Facebook Group Ridiculousness,” the best of the worst things you read from your neighbors. Continue reading →

Weather

‘Death Valley Days’ — In August 1944, New Englanders broiled in 8-day heat wave;

“Local residents are suffering just as much as those in Death Valley. There’s one difference I might mention,” G. Harold Noyes told the Globe in August 1944. “We have millions of heat sufferers here, but only three or four in Death Valley.” Continue reading →

Red Sox Notebook

‘Good chance’ Red Sox’ Kyle Schwarber begins rehab assignment Thursday

Schwarber has been out of action since early July because of a hamstring injury. Continue reading →

ben volin | on football

Patriots have more at stake Thursday vs. Washington than in the usual preseason opener

The preseason was cut from four games to three to accommodate a 17-game regular season, giving players one less opportunity to impress their coaches. Continue reading →

Red Sox 20, Rays 8

‘A night that a lot of us were looking forward to.’ Red Sox blow out Rays with 20-run offensive surge

The Red Sox snapped a six-game losing streak to the Rays after roughing up Rays starter Josh Fleming for 10 runs. Continue reading →

Business

Employer vaccine mandates? It’s complicated. ‘Once you do that, you can’t look back’

Without clear directives from federal or state governments, private sector companies have been left to figure out coronavirus vaccine requirements on their own. Continue reading →

Business

In the sprint to sell on Amazon, Boston-based Perch bets big on sleep sacks and champagne flutes

A top-selling Amazon item can make millions, and now investors want a piece of that action. There are now dozens of well-funded roll-up operations looking to snag e-commerce brands and juice their sales. Continue reading →

THE FINE PRINT

AG gets $1.6m settlement with debt collection company over its practices

Avant has agreed to pay the state $1.6 million to settle allegations that it used abusive debt collection practices against consumers. Continue reading →

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Names

Christina Applegate reveals she has multiple sclerosis

The 49-year-old actress known for her roles in “Married... with Children” and “Dead to Me,” said in a tweet late Monday that she was diagnosed “a few months ago.” Continue reading →

Names

Beacon Hill Books & Cafe to open new chapter for Charles Street storefront

Beacon Hill Books, slated to open in the spring of 2022, will bring a bookstore to Charles Street for the first time in years. Continue reading →

Dance

Former Boston Ballet principal dancer James Whiteside on his new memoir, his alter egos, and classical ballet’s unrequited love

Whiteside’s debut book, due out Aug. 17, is neatly summed up in the title — “Center Center: A Funny, Sexy, Sad Almost-Memoir of a Boy in Ballet.” Continue reading →