By Carolyn Y. Johnson

Rare stem cells that evade cancer treatments may be responsible for the reappearance of tumors in patients, new research suggests.

By MICHAEL TARM

The judge in the Drew Peterson murder trial adjourned early Wednesday and delayed a decision on declaring a mistrial. A legal drama erupted Wednesday after a state witness let slip testimony that defense lawyers claim irreparably tainted jurors.

A man convicted of stealing a gun used in a murder was given 125 years in prison — about a century longer than the actual killers received after taking plea deals. Christopher G. Nichols, 27, was sentenced Tuesday for gun theft, trafficking in stolen property, being a felon in possession of firearms, and other crimes, The Spokesman-Review reported

By Elisabeth Bumiller and Jodi Rudoren

Public statements and private communications from the Israeli leadership in recent weeks set off US concerns that Israel might be preparing a military strike on Iran, perhaps as early as this fall.

Identical twin brothers from Somalia have been sentenced to three years in prison in Britain for raising money to fund terrorism abroad, officials said.

A human rights group said government forces opened fire on crowds in a targeted campaign of violence during recent sectarian strife.

Juliette Kayyem

Fear the grid

By Juliette Kayyem

India’s power outages this week are a cautionary tale about delayed government investments.

editorial

Lottery officials allowed gambling companies to exploit one of its games to rake in millions but didn’t stop it because of increased ticket sales — despite the breach of public trust.

editorial

An Agriculture Department employee newsletter that advocated vegetarian meals for a day caught the ire of the meat industry and Republicans from beef-producing states.

Ex-headmaster’s staff say problems were known

By James Vaznis and Andrea Estes

Rodney Peterson, the Boston headmaster allowed to keep his job after assaulting his wife, was chronically absent from work and struggling with personal bankruptcy.

South Boston priest faces child porn charges

By Brian Ballou and Martine Powers

A 39-year-old Roman Catholic priest was arrested for allegedly having pornographic images of children on his computer.

Parents root, agonize on the sidelines at Olympics

By Beth Teitell

Competition can be just as stressful for parents as it is for athletes. Just ask the parents of Needham gold medalist Aly Raisman.

Convention center authority to buy site for hotel

By Casey Ross

The deal is the first step toward a massive expansion of the sprawling convention complex, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

By D.C. Denison

The November ballot question may be irrelevant after legislators approved measure to require automakers to provide independent repair shops with codes needed to diagnose car problems.

Tech Lab

By Hiawatha Bray

Apple’s iOS 6 upgrade, due this fall, will include a substantial Siri overhaul. But in the meantime, there’s competition for the once-ballyhooed service.

Gore Vidal, 86, celebrated and debonair writer, commentator

By Mark Feeney

Vidal, whose best-selling novels and witty, acidulous essays made him one of America’s best-known authors, died Tuesday at his home in Hollywood Hills.

George Slye, 81, cofounder of Mass. real estate power

By J.M. Lawrence

Mr. Slye, who cofounded Spaulding & Slye and was a past president of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, died July 13 at his home on Lake Winnipesaukee in Tuftonboro, N.H.

By Daniel E. Slotnik

Mr. Armstrong, a rough-hewed character actor known for playing sheriffs, outlaws, and other macho roles, died ­Friday at his home in Studio City, Calif.

Outcry over badminton teams trying to throw matches

By Shira Springer

In a highly unusual move, four Olympic badminton teams were disqualified in an episode that drew outrage from fans and was widely seen as an insult to the Olympic spirit.

Biggest Olympic hurdle? Transportation

By Shira Springer

London Olympic organizers knew transportation would be an issue when the Games started. And they’ve been right.

Bob Ryan

Times have changed for US men’s boxing

By Bob Ryan

Once, America sent heavyweights to the Olympics such as Cassius Clay, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Evander Holyfield. Now we just hope to win a bout or two.

How Graham Wright turned networking into art

By Christopher Muther

Opus Affair finds success bringing together young Boston arts lovers.

Coming clean ASAP

By Stephanie Steinberg

In an age of instant news, crisis management teams are telling their celebrity clients they no longer have the luxury of crafting the perfect response to a scandal.

Vintage collector finds success on Etsy

By Christopher Muther

Sandy Machado’s collection began as a fortunate accident.

Doubling of MBTA shuttle fares strains disabled users

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald

The disabled are feeling an especially tight pinch from July’s MBTA fare increases. While average T fares rose 23 percent, users of The Ride now pay 100 percent more.

By David Rattigan

Seventeen samples tested positive for West Nile virus, leading health officials in seven Globe North communities to take action.

Amesbury

Battling cancer, Diane Legg tackles Pan-Mass Challenge

By Brion O’Connor

Legg, who is living with Stage IV lung cancer, will ride in her first Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Saturday, making the 84-mile trek from Bourne to Wellesley.

Mass Audubon offers online guide to its wildlife sanctuaries

By Jennifer Fenn Lefferts

The organization has created an online vacation guide to help visitors plan a weekend getaway or a day trip to one of its 50 wildlife sanctuaries.

By Jennifer Fenn Lefferts

Seven Mass Audubon sanctuaries south of Boston, and what they offer.

By John Laidler

After four years of construction, the state plans to open newly built fourth lanes along the 5.7-mile stretch from Randoph to Route 109 in Westwood this fall.

Newton struggles to keep villages vibrant

By Deirdre Fernandes

Newton’s 13 villages are a source of pride for local residents, but keeping all the mini-downtowns in these villages thriving has been a challenge.

Answer key for Newton’s villages quiz

Answer key for Newton’s villages quiz.

By Ellen Ishkanian

In the first public hearing on the subject, neighbors said they already are dealing with trash and intrusions on their privacy from people who are using the trails.