Nation

Texas judge presses lawyers on FDA approval of key abortion drug

US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk seemed open to the argument that mifepristone had not been properly vetted — claims the Food and Drug Administration and leading health organizations strongly contest. Continue reading →

Nation

EPA tells dozens of states to clean up their smokestacks

The Biden administration on Wednesday finalized a rule forcing factories and power plants in 23 Western and Midwestern states to sharply cut smog-causing pollution that is released from their smokestacks and fouls the air in Eastern states. Continue reading →

Politics

Biden says he’s focused ‘intensely’ on lowering drug costs

Biden used a speech in Las Vegas where he was wrapping a three-day Western swing to make the case there are stark differences in how Democrats are tackling skyrocketing drug prices compared to their Republican counterparts. Continue reading →

World

Macron’s pension plan advances despite strikes across France

Thousands of people angered over President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement age joined a national strike on Wednesday as a committee of lawmakers advanced the proposal. Continue reading →

World

US and Russia ratchet up rhetoric over downing of drone

Russia and the United States ratcheted up their confrontational rhetoric Wednesday over a US surveillance drone that encountered Russian warplanes and crashed near Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin has illegally annexed. At the same time, the two countries’ defense chiefs opened a dialogue about the incident. Continue reading →

World

How to get kicked out of Japan’s parliament: Livestream instead of legislating

Since he was elected to Japan’s parliament in July, Yoshikazu Higashitani has spread celebrity gossip on his YouTube channel, explored the sights of Dubai, and handed out snacks to children displaced by an earthquake in Turkey. Continue reading →

EDITORIAL

Lift the FDIC’s insurance cap — permanently

What good is the limit on deposit insurance if the government repeatedly lifts it when crisis strikes? Continue reading →

OPINION

I’m in my prime, and I’m done hiding my age

At almost 50, I wondered when, exactly, is a woman in her prime? Society’s answer is never. No matter what age a woman is, it’s the wrong one. Continue reading →

LETTERS

As rudeness rises, SJC ruling on public meetings makes one wary

I’ve observed a rising climate of incivility, and I feel that it prevents differences of opinion from being discussed reasonably and with mutual respect. It will be interesting to see whether this ruling leads to out-of-control public hearings. Continue reading →

Metro

Once condemned, Ramadan Shabazz enjoys his first taste of freedom in more than 50 years

“I feel like a bird that’s just been born and flying the coop for the first time,” he said. “He’s free, he realizes he’s free, and he sees everything around him is free.” Continue reading →

Health

As public health emergency ends, COVID vigilance should remain, public health experts say

Governor Maura Healey announced on Wednesday that she would end the state’s public health emergency, marking the beginning of what public health officials say is the next phase of life with COVID-19. Continue reading →

BLUE ECONOMY

Plans to move NOAA hub to Newport are being finalized, Reed says

Senator Jack Reed said moving NOAA’s Marine Operations Center – Atlantic from Virginia to Newport would mean a $150 million federal investment and 200 jobs in Rhode Island. Continue reading →

Celtics 104, Timberwolves 102

With Jayson Tatum scuffling, Jaylen Brown takes over — and Grant Williams pitches in — to grind out a Celtics win

Brown put up 35 points in a chippy affair on the road, while Williams made some late hustle plays to seal the victory. Continue reading →

celtics

Marcus Smart is critical of his own defensive performance this season, calling it ‘mediocre’

The Celtics guard attributed his slippage to a nagging ankle injury as well as rules and calls that he believes continue to favor offensive players. Continue reading →

Ben Volin | On football

JuJu Smith-Schuster is a good start, but Patriots still have work to do

Smith-Schuster is just a piece of the puzzle. If the Patriots think he is the big move of the offseason, they're in trouble. Continue reading →

Business

Nantucket billionaires, including Charles Schwab, battle proposed clam shack

Two local men are attempting to revive a popular fish market, riling the wealthy owners of neighboring waterfront cottages. On Wednesday night, the Select Board voted to approve the restaurant with certain conditions. Continue reading →

Finance

Barney Frank, coauthor of landmark banking reform, defends his positions after SVB collapse, Signature Bank seizure

Former US representative Barney Frank defended Signature Bank’s business and said it was seized due to an overreaction by a New York state regulatory agency. Continue reading →

Residential

Towns that defy new MBTA housing law could face state legal action, Campbell says

Attorney General Andrea Campbell's warning comes as a number of communities have openly balked at the new rules. Continue reading →

Obituaries

John Jakes, whose historical novels were big hits, dies at 90

The writer of historical fiction was most known for his multigenerational family sagas of the American Revolution and the Civil War. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Chinese SARS whistleblower Jiang Yanyong dies at 91

Reports say Jiang Yanyong, a Chinese military doctor who revealed the full extent of the 2003 SARS outbreak and was later placed under house arrest for his political outspokenness, has died. Continue reading →

Obituaries

Ann Uccello, first female mayor in Connecticut, dies at 100

Ms. Uccello won an upset victory in Hartford as a Republican in 1967. Continue reading →

Arts

Boston Artisan Market to open on weekends at City Hall Plaza, starting Friday

"Fashion Fridays," a food truck, and local vendors and makers will be on hand at the plaza’s pavilion through early May. Continue reading →

Arts

North Andover resident James Day Keith scores a role in ‘Champions’

The Special Olympics competitor brings his sports training to the screen in the new Bobby Farrelly comedy. Continue reading →

Movies

Director and writer Matt Ruskin on getting the story, characters, and setting right in ‘Boston Strangler’

The Watertown native’s movie, premiering on Hulu on Friday, revolves around two female reporters who pursued the case. Continue reading →