By Larry Neumeister

Hundreds of Long Island Rail Road employees may have cheated their way to big pensions by paying off doctors to say they were unable to work.

Seniors pledge to fight Social Security adjustments

By Michael Levenson and Alex Katz

Vulnerable retirees must not bear the brunt of the effort to cut the federal deficit, say advocacy groups livid over a push to cut Medicare reimbursements and limit Social Security increases.

Professor said to have talked about shooting students

By Jessie L. Bonner

A University of Idaho professor who committed suicide after killing a graduate student he had dated previously talked about shooting students in his classroom.

Saudi state TV announced Prince Nayef bin Abdel-Aziz Al Saud as heir to the Saudi throne following the death of the previous second in line last week.

By Vanessa Gera

Polish authorities have reopened an investigation that was closed in the 1980s into World War II crimes committed at Auschwitz and its satellite camps.

Insurgents armed with guns and rocket-propelled grenades attacked a small NATO base, breaking an unusual period of calm in this volatile city.

Letters

"Well, well, a popular use of disjointed English has now made its way to the Globe editorials." — Robert Coyne

Letters

"Campus police arrest reports are already public records available through the local courts." - Richard Doherty

Letters

Obama slow to answer fellow Nobel laureates’ call for disarmament

“Obama agreed to Republicans’ demands to increase spending for nuclear war preparations by $85 billion over the next decade.” — Joseph Gerson

HARTFORD

A law that allows education leaders to sweep out dysfunctional school boards and replace them in struggling districts is now under scrutiny by the state Supreme Court.

AUGUSTA, MAINE

The Occupy Maine demonstrators who have set up shop across from the courthouse in Portland say they are undeterred by colder weather and a forecast of light snow.

LYNNFIELD

One swan was not having any of it when state troopers attempted to move it yesterday from the highway in Lynnfield.

New chief says HP will keep PC unit

By Aaron Ricadela

SAN FRANCISCO - Hewlett-Packard Co. announced plans to keep its personal computer unit, marking the first major decision by chief executive Meg Whitman since taking over last month.

Earnings roundup

Slower sales hurt Raytheon Corp. earnings

YESTERDAY 

By Megan Woolhouse

The likelihood of a “double dip” recession lessened yesterday, as state and national economies reported growth and European leaders acted to avert an economic meltdown.

George L. Sherry, 87; worked as UN envoy, noted translator

By Dennis Hevesi

George L. Sherry, a former UN official who helped calm crises around the world, died in Manhattan last Friday.

Howard Wolpe, 71; fought apartheid as a congressman

By Corey Williams

Howard Wolpe, a former congressman who helped pass the federal antiapartheid act in 1986, died Tuesday at home.

Florence Parry Heide, children’s book author

Prolific children’s book author Florence Parry Heide, whose work was illustrated by such notable artists as Edward Gorey and Lane Smith, died at 92.

Cardinals 10, Rangers 9

Cardinals stun Rangers to force Game 7

By Nick Cafardo

Leading off the 11th inning, David Freese drilled a 3-and-2-pitch from Mark Lowe over the center-field wall for a 10-9 victory.

SATURDAY AUTO RACING Noon - NASCAR Sprint: Tums Fast Relief 500 qualifying, Speed

High school roundup

By Ayoub Kourikchi

Lincoln-Sudbury field hockey orchestrated a strong defensive performance as the Warriors upset top-ranked Weston, 1-0, at home in a Dual County League matchup.

Theater Review

Universal themes bring ‘Before I Leave You’ to life

By Don Aucoin

The flawed but touching new play by Rosanna Yamagiwa Alfaro abounds with references that root it firmly in Cambridge and Boston.

Names

Having a ball

Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia dropped by Disneyland this week with his buddy, Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier.

Names

Not a dry eye during ‘Unguarded’

By Mark Shanahan and Meredith Goldstein

Director Jonathan Hock’s documentary about basketball star Chris Herren is tough to watch.