Nation

Biden administration grants automatic student loan forgiveness to 323,000 permanently disabled borrowers

The Biden administration moved Thursday to grant 323,000 people who are severely disabled automatic federal student loan forgiveness to the tune of $5.8 billion, setting the stage for reforms to a process that is widely criticized as cumbersome and onerous. Continue reading →

Nation

Man surrenders after claiming to have bomb near US Capitol

A North Carolina man who claimed to have a bomb in a pickup truck near the US Capitol surrendered to law enforcement after an hourslong standoff Thursday that prompted a massive police response and the evacuations of government buildings in the area. Continue reading →

Nation

Court blocks a vast Alaskan drilling project, citing climate dangers

A federal judge in Alaska on Wednesday blocked construction permits for an expansive oil drilling project on the state’s North Slope that was designed to produce more than 100,000 barrels of oil a day for the next 30 years. Continue reading →

World

Aid flows a bit more quickly into Haiti; challenges remain

Relief for the victims of a powerful earthquake and tropical storm began flowing more quickly into Haiti on Thursday, but the Caribbean nation’s entrenched poverty, insecurity, and lack of basic infrastructure were still presenting huge challenges to getting food and urgent medical care to all those who need it. Continue reading →

World

Booster shots ‘make a mockery of vaccine equity,’ WHO’s Africa director says

The Africa director at the World Health Organization criticized the decisions by some wealthy nations to start administering coronavirus booster shots, saying the decisions “make a mockery of vaccine equity” when the African continent is still struggling to get vaccine supplies. Continue reading →

World

Taliban quash protests and seize enemies, tightening grip on Afghanistan

The Taliban cracked down on protests that erupted in at least four cities in Afghanistan Thursday, and they rounded up opponents despite promises of amnesty, even as fearful workers stayed home and thousands of people continued a frenzied rush to leave the country. Continue reading →

OPINION

Boston needs to take more decisive measures on COVID-19

The city should require proof of vaccination for high-risk indoor spaces, restore mask requirements, and do more to ensure the safety of Boston Public Schools students and staff. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Massachusetts must order all health care personnel to get the vaccine

As the Delta variant surges, employees in the health care industry are putting patients at risk by unnecessarily exposing them to COVID-19. Continue reading →

LETTERS

Staggering out of Afghanistan

In the last 20 years much good has happened in Afghanistan, thanks in no small part to our involvement. Continue reading →

Metro

Latino and Asian populations are fueling growth in Massachusetts and diversifying communities, census data show

Fast-growing Latino and Asian populations are reshaping many Massachusetts cities and towns, fueling the state’s robust growth and changing the face of communities as white residents move elsewhere. Continue reading →

Metro

Requiem for an Irish mensch

Kevin Leary yearned to help people, not judge them. Continue reading →

Transportation

This Boston woman wants to break the Guinness world record for fastest time traveled to every MBTA station

Maya Jonas-Silver grew up in Boston taking the T. In a few weeks, she’s moving to New York City. But before she goes, she has one last thing she wants to do on Friday: become a transit-riding champion. Continue reading →

Patriots 35, Eagles 0

Cam Newton, Patriots’ defense shine in exhibition rout of Eagles, and other observations

Newton was 8 of 9 passing for 103 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Continue reading →

Gary Washburn | On basketball

Brad Stevens built the Celtics to win now, but he is keeping the future in mind

The new president of basketball operations believes the Celtics were able to improve the roster with astute moves and maintain cap flexibility for the future. Continue reading →

RED SOX

First it was the rotation and now it’s the lineup; Red Sox have slipped since All-Star break

In their three-game series with the Yankees, the Sox scored five runs over 23 innings and were 3 for 18 with runners in scoring position. Continue reading →

Business

Baltimore surgeon to lead Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Dr. Robert Higgins, of Johns Hopkins, replaces Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Nabel, who stepped down in March after 11 years leading the prestigious nonprofit medical center. Continue reading →

THE FINE PRINT

Massachusetts drivers paid hundreds of millions more in car insurance than they should have during the pandemic, study says

Drivers in Massachusetts overpaid for auto insurance last year by more than $632 million due to the pandemic, when drivers cut way back on driving and filed far fewer claims, a new report by two national consumer advocacy groups says. Continue reading →

Business

As federal worker guidance gets stricter, labor advocates denounce repealed Mass. protections

Massachusetts rules on masking, distancing, and sanitization in the workplace haven’t been enforced since late May and are set to be officially repealed in the coming weeks, despite new guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that masks should be worn in public indoor spaces in areas of high or substantial transmission, regardless of vaccination status. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Harry Spence, trusted official who repaired flawed state institutions, dies at 74

"Massachusetts has lost a gifted and magnetic re-inventor of government in the irrepressible Harry Spence," former governor William Weld said. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Bill Freehan, perennial All-Star, catcher on 1968 champion Detroit Tigers, dies at 79

Mr. Freehan played his entire career with the Tigers, from 1961 through 1976. He was awarded five Gold Gloves. Continue reading →

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Music

With a recent expansion, The Record Co. is opening doors for more music makers

The nonprofit studio’s newly renovated digs offer vastly more studio and rehearsal space, starting at $10 an hour. Continue reading →

TELEVISION REVIEW

In Netflix’s ‘The Chair,’ Sandra Oh is on the hot seat

Set at a college where Oh plays the new head of the English department, the series dips into issues of sexism, racism, and white privilege, but it remains light on its feet — too light, at times. Continue reading →

Visual Arts

In Somerville, one of the area’s last neon sign makers keeps the lights on

The artisans at Neon Williams, one of New England's last remaining neon sign makers, bend glass, preserve vintage signs, and rent out their collection, all to keep the century-old medium alive. Continue reading →