Nation

Medicare Advantage plans often deny needed care, federal report finds

The investigators urged Medicare officials to strengthen oversight of these private insurance plans, which provide benefits to 28 million older Americans, and called for increased enforcement against plans with a pattern of inappropriate denials. Continue reading →

Nation

In a milestone, FDA proposes ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday proposed banning menthol cigarettes, a landmark action applauded by leading health and civil rights groups that say the industry has a history of aggressively marketing to Black communities and causing severe harm, including higher rates of smoking-related illness and death. Continue reading →

Nation

16 states, D.C., climate activists sue USPS to block its truck purchase

State attorneys general, Earthjustice, and the Natural Resources Defense Council contend in their lawsuits the postal service relied on faulty assumptions and miscalculations to justify spending as much as $11.3 billion on gas-powered vehicles in an effort to compete with shipping companies like FedEx or Amazon. Continue reading →

World

Turkey’s leader lands in Saudi Arabia, seeking to ease tensions

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey arrived in Saudi Arabia for his first visit in nearly five years Thursday, capping his recent efforts to improve ties with the oil-rich kingdom at a time of deep economic distress at home and to ease years of tensions over the killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Continue reading →

World

Extreme heat pummeling India and Pakistan is about to get worse

The heat wave pummeling India and Pakistan for weeks is expected to intensify over the weekend. The sweltering conditions have already brought heat stroke, agricultural damage, and landfill fires in the region. Continue reading →

World

Deforestation is high, despite COP26 promises

Halting deforestation was one of the major commitments to come out of the international climate talks in 2021, but, according to a Thursday report, there's scant evidence of progress last year. Continue reading →

OPINION

They’re all better than me!

I can barely string together a few hundred words every two weeks, while successful athletes such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and former big-league outfielder Doug Glanville have written columns that have reached tens of thousands of readers. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Blueprint for a coup comes into focus

The Jan. 6 House committee needs to connect the dots and show how democracy was imperiled. Continue reading →

LETTERS

Crying need for support as pandemic weighs on students, teachers alike

A national survey of more than 1,300 teachers found a deep disillusionment of teachers who feel overworked, underpaid, and under-appreciated. Continue reading →

Metro

At MIT’s ‘Banana Lounge,’ it’s not just the free food that’s a-peeling

It’s called the “Banana Lounge,” and from its conception a few years back to its data-driven logistics that help it run 24/7, it’s quintessential MIT, part of its inventive yet practical culture. Continue reading →

THE GREAT DIVIDE

9 takeaways from Boston’s investigation into Mission Hill School; DA reviewing

The report spurred Superintendent Brenda Cassellius to take the extraordinary step of recommending the school’s closure at the end of the academic year in June. Continue reading →

Elections

Trio of attorney general candidates address law school forum

Candidates were asked why they were vying to become attorney general and what each would bring to the job. Continue reading →

BLUE JAYS 1, RED SOX 0

Red Sox offense has zero life in shutout loss to wrap up series in Toronto

Boston had only four hits against Alek Manoah and two relievers, and an unearned run in the third inning was costly in dropping three out of four to the Blue Jays. Continue reading →

Ben Volin | On Football

It’s defense first, but wide receivers steal the show in 2022 NFL Draft, and other observations

A total of six receivers were drafted within 11 picks in the top 20, after an early run on the defensive side. Continue reading →

bruins notebook

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy sees his two-goalie options as a plus for the playoffs

Cassidy said he’ll have a conversation with Jeremy Swayman, Linus Ullmark, and goalie coach Bob Essensa to lay out a plan. Continue reading →

Business

Moderna asks FDA to authorize COVID shot for kids 5 and younger

Moderna finally asked the FDA to authorize its COVID shots in children 5 and under, but some doctors questioned how necessary the shots will be at this point in the pandemic. Continue reading →

Business

Nowhere to hide: This market correction feels different

This year, stocks, bonds, and even crypto have been falling at the same time. It’s an unusual confluence of losses. And the Federal Reserve, its hands tied by inflation, won’t be bailing investors out as it has done in recent bear markets. Continue reading →

Business

AstraZeneca to open major research center in Kendall Square

The pharma giant will move out of its Waltham labs and Seaport location into a new 16-story building. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Kenneth Tsang, veteran Hong Kong actor, dies at 87

Kenneth Tsang, a Hong Kong actor known for his tough-guy supporting roles as cops, crime bosses, and kung fu masters, and as a ubiquitous TV pitchman for hair dye, died Wednesday while in hotel quarantine in the city. He was 87. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Donald Baechler, painter of cartoonish collages, is dead at 65

Donald Baechler was part of one of the most exciting moments in postwar art in New York, the early 1980s, when talented artists, if usually male and young, were popping up all over the landscape. Continue reading →

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Movies

Cape Cod family is cast and crew in psychological thriller ‘Red River Road’

Paul and Jade Schuyler of Harwich knew they needed a pandemic distraction. Longtime filmmakers and actors, the family decided they'd do what they know: Make a movie. Continue reading →

MOVIE REVIEW

In ‘The Duke,’ a man, a plan, and a very pricey painting

Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren star in "The Duke," the story of a very unusual art heist. Based on a true story, the movie is often charming, but the script gets too slick and sentimental. Continue reading →

Commentary

I fell in love with classical music thanks to video games

Music for games like “Final Fantasy VII” and “Genshin Impact” can nourish budding appreciation for classical music. Take it from me. Continue reading →