Nation

Senate passes bill to aid Ukraine and avert government shutdown

The House was expected to quickly pass the measure, sending it to President Biden for his signature before funding was scheduled to lapse at midnight Friday. Continue reading →

Nation

Supreme Court, dogged by questions of legitimacy, is ready to resume

Polls show public approval of the court plummeted to historic lows — with a record number of respondents saying the court is too conservative — after the right wing of the court overturned Roe v. Wade’s guarantee of a constitutional right to abortion. Continue reading →

Nation

As Biden’s student loan relief faces legal challenges, Pressley and other Democrats reaffirm their commitment

“We are making good on the promise of education is opportunity,” the Boston Democrat said at a news conference outside the US Capitol. Continue reading →

World

Mexico named deadliest country for environmental activists

Fifty-four environmental or land rights activists were killed in Mexico last year, according to a report from an environmental watchdog organization, Global Witness, that was released this week. Continue reading →

World

Russia to annex more of Ukraine on Friday at the Kremlin

Russia planned to annex more of Ukraine on Friday in an escalation of the seven-month war that was expected to isolate the Kremlin further, draw more international punishment, and bring Ukraine extra military, political, and economic support. Continue reading →

World

Despite Iran’s efforts to block Internet, technology has helped fuel outrage

In the physical world, Iran’s authoritarian leaders answer to no one. They try, but often fail, to keep Iranians away from Western entertainment and news. Thanks to their rules, women are required to shroud their hair with headscarves, their bodies with loose clothing. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

A good start to fixing the off-the-rails MBTA pension system

Now T officials need to make sure a favorable arbitrator’s decision sticks. Continue reading →

OPINION

It’s a moment to praise Mitch McConnell

The Senate Republican leader has thrown his support behind the effort to update the Electoral Count Act of 1887 — and that makes passage of those essential reforms much more likely. Continue reading →

LETTERS

Playing fields are straining under the weight of so much use

The challenge facing our youth programs is accessibility. The little space we have needs to withstand the sheer amount of play being asked of it. Continue reading →

Metro

Marty Walsh proves you can go home again

It is not a hard case to make that Walsh has been the most successful Cabinet secretary in a Biden administration that has struggled mightily at times with rising inflation and falling poll numbers. Continue reading →

Higher Education

Retired clarinetist donates $100 million to rename Boston University’s medical school after his friend

Boston University renamed its school of medicine Thursday afternoon to honor Dr. Aram Chobanian, the former president of the university, dean of the School of Medicine, and respected cardiologist, as well as alum and donor Edward Avedisian, a retired clarinetist. Continue reading →

Transportation

New Red, Orange Line trains could be delayed, again, by more than a year, MBTA says

Orange Line cars that were expected at the beginning of this year may not be available until next summer, and Red Line cars due next fall could be delayed until summer 2025, officials told the T’s board of directors Thursday, nearly two years after the company said production was delayed until 2024. Continue reading →

On Football

The mutual respect between Bill Belichick and Aaron Rodgers runs deep, even though they rarely meet

The series between the two is tied, 1-1, and Sunday's matchup in Green Bay is likely the final installment. Continue reading →

Christopher L. Gasper

Bill Belichick and the Patriots defense used to befuddle elite quarterbacks. Not anymore.

With Aaron Rodgers and the Packers up next after a loss to Lamar Jackson's Ravens, the numbers reveal that the defense really has its work cut out. Continue reading →

Gary Washburn

Assistant coach Damon Stoudamire, a close friend to Ime Udoka, is determined to keep the Celtics on course

"Nothing’s changed with our agenda," said Stoudamire, who did not want to comment on the specifics of Udoka's suspension. Continue reading →

Technology

Local cyber firm Recorded Future is helping Ukraine fight Russia

As the war in Ukraine has continued, Recorded Future chief executive Christopher Ahlberg realized the company could help the country defend itself, while at the same time supporting and growing its tech team there. Continue reading →

Technology

Former eBay executive who ran scheme to harass Natick couple sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison

“It isn’t just one thing, we all do stupid things which are aberrational at moments, but this was a pattern of cruel conduct,” US District Judge Patti Saris said during a sentencing hearing. “I don’t even understand it all.” Continue reading →

Startups

‘Tough tech’ VC firm The Engine expands to bigger offices in Cambridge

After sitting vacant for almost two decades, the various Engine startups are bringing new life to the 155,000-square-foot, MIT-owned building. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Coolio, ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper, dies at 59

Coolio, the rapper whose playful and sometimes gritty takes on West Coast rap and anthemic hits like “Gangsta’s Paradise” made him a hip-hop star in the 1990s, died on Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 59. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Aicha Ech-Channa, ‘Moroccan Mother Teresa,’ dies at 81

Aicha Ech-Channa established an organization that has served thousands of unwed mothers, helping them keep their babies rather than risk their lives in illegal abortions or relinquish their infants to orphanages, and eventually build independent lives for themselves and their children. Continue reading →

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Music

Losing his vision has opened Mark Erelli’s eyes

Diagnosed two years ago with a progressive retinal disease, the singer-songwriter is composing the most intimate songs of his career — "songs I could only write once I realized what I was losing." Continue reading →

MOVIE REVIEW

When Bobby met Aaron: ‘Bros’ is a meet cute that hits the mark

Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane crack the rom-com pantheon as opposites who attract. Continue reading →

TELEVISION REVIEW

Fresh blood brings new life to ‘Interview with the Vampire’

Anne Rice’s complex, sensual creatures have survived the transition to TV intact, while the AMC series alters specifics of the novel’s story line in ways that wind up working spectacularly well. Continue reading →