In awkward agreement, Mitt Romney backs President Obama’s contention on mandate

By Callum Borchers

Mitt Romney and President Obama, typically at opposite ends on health care, found themselves agreeing that the individual mandate penalty was not a tax.

Alan Poindexter, 50; led penultimate Discovery mission

Capt. Poindexter died after a scooter driven by his 26-year-old son collided into the back of one that the former astronaut was riding.

By Lolita C. Baldor

A new Pentagon review recommends changes to make salaries and benefits more equitable across the board.

Libya released four International Criminal Court staffers who had been held for nearly four weeks on allegations that they shared documents that could harm national security.

Pope names friend to doctrine post

By Nicole Winfield

Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Mueller to head the Vatican’s all-important orthodoxy office on Monday.

Physicists ready data on ‘God particle’ to explain everything

By John Heilprin

Scientists are about to present evidence they say proves the existence of a particle which could explain the underpinnings of the universe.

Opinion | paul mcmorrow

By Paul McMorrow

Development along the waterfront remains a delicate affair, marked by cautious steps and big dreams that are parceled out in small bites.

Farah stockman

How a Harvard rivalry changed Taiwan

By Farah Stockman

The emergence of democracy in Taiwan, and that island’s relationship with China, are related to two former classmates at Harvard Law School.

editorial

The enthusiasm of Massachusetts-born Armando Montano, who was found dead in Mexico City, could serve as a reminder to a lot of journalists about why they entered the business.

Tisei picks up hope, steam in race vs. Tierney

By David Filipov

The legal trouble of Rep. John Tierney’s family has given Republican Richard Tisei an opening as he looks to unseat the eight-term ­incumbent in the sixth district.

TV coverage sticking to real fireworks this year

By James H. Burnett III

CBS’s national broadcast of Boston’s Fourth of July celebration was criticized last year because historic buildings had been inserted into the fireworks video feed.

Obamas to skip Vineyard this summer

By Brian MacQuarrie

After three consecutive summer vacations on Martha’s Vineyard, President Obama and his family apparently will not be relaxing on the island this year.

Some start-ups forgo receptionists

By D.C. Denison

While some fledgling companies would rather apply the salary to a position they consider more important, others figure a reception area is poor use of expensive real estate.

US manufacturing down, 1st drop in 3 years

By Shobhana Chandra

In June, manufacturing in the US unexpectedly shrank for the first time since the economy emerged from recession.

Boston Capital

By Steven Syre

The stock pickers of the mutual fund world — once the rock stars of finance — couldn’t sell popcorn at the circus today.

Alan Poindexter, 50; led penultimate Discovery mission

Capt. Poindexter died after a scooter driven by his 26-year-old son collided into the back of one that the former astronaut was riding.

Dr. Harry Levinson, 90; changed workplace psychology

By J.M. Lawrence

Dr. Levinson argued that the psychological dynamics of leaders are key to corporate success, more than economic factors.

Doris Sams, 85: pitched perfect game in women’s professional league

By Richard Goldstein

Sams set a single-season home run record and starred amid the milieu that inspired the movie ‘‘A League of Their Own.”

Tennis Hall of Fame pivots, investigates Bob Hewitt

By Bob Hohler

The Tennis Hall reversed course after months of inaction and is investigating allegations that Hewitt sexually abused nearly a dozen girls he coached.

On baseball

At halfway point, Red Sox still in contention

By Nick Cafardo

You could make the case that the Sox have no business thinking playoffs. But problems for other AL East teams have kept them in the picture.

Catching baseballs is in Zack Hample’s blood

By Alex Prewitt

At 34, Hample is one of the world’s few professed ballhawks, and has caught more than 6,000 baseballs from major league parks.

Stage Review

A mobbed-up ‘Earnest’ at Williamstown

By Don Aucoin

This reimagining of “The Importance of Being Earnest” is told through American mobsters on the lam in Britain in the early 1930s.

G Force

One-time SEAL now leads nonprofit benefiting elite Navy unit

By Joseph P. Kahn

The SEAL Foundation goes beyond what the Navy provides for members of the special forces unit, as well as their families and support staff.

Tuesday night television

What’s on TV tonight: Critic’s corner

By Sarah Rodman

Sarah Rodman’s picks for Tuesday night TV viewing, including “Tosh.0” at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central.