Republican plank opposes all abortions

By Callum Borchers

The GOP platform committee approved language seeking a constitutional amendment for a total abortion ban, adding to the furor over Rep. Todd Akin’s rape comments.

Mitt Romney has financial edge in final months

By Matt Viser

The growing financial advantage comes after months of hoarding money as the Obama campaign spent heavily on TV ads.

Governor Patrick makes pitch for Obama in Midwest

By Matt Viser

Even while he said in an interview he had no ambition for higher office, Governor Patrick made a two-pronged appeal for President Obama’s reelection in Iowa and Wisconsin.

By Graham Bowley and Richard A. Oppel Jr.

Afghan insurgents damaged the parked transport plane of General Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA

The blast raises fears that Kurdish rebels are becoming emboldened by moves toward autonomy by the Kurdish minority in Syria.

By Choe Sang-Hun

While the region’s attention has remained focused on whether the new North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, can consolidate his power, his country has been making significant progress in the construction of a reactor widely seen as a cover for making more nuclear weapons, analysts said Tuesday, citing satellite imagery of the building site.

Jeff Jacoby

Stingy liberals

By Jeff Jacoby

In parts of the country where conservative values dominate, charity tends to be high. Where liberalism holds sway, charity falls.

Scot Lehigh

By Scot Lehigh

Angus King, the former Maine governor and now independent candidate for Senate, says a nonpartisan voice is what is needed to break the political logjam in Washington, D.C.

Derrick Z. Jackson

By Derrick Z. Jackson

His stances provide the latest evidence of America’s political ambivalence about energy and the environment — but also a glimmer of hope that some day the poles won’t be so far apart.

A vast casino plan for Springfield

By Mark Arsenault

MGM’s ambitious $800 million project would remake the heart of the struggling city and rebuild areas severely damaged by a 2011 tornado.

Blood storage lab holds clues for disease prevention

By Deborah Kotz

Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers have stored blood from more than 150,000 study subjects over the past two decades in a lab deep beneath Commonwealth Avenue.

By Martine Powers

An 18-inch bird feeder has sparked a squall in this South Shore village, pitting a 70-year-old, bird-loving resident against her neighbors and Hull enforcement agencies.

By Michael B. Farrell

The technology sector has added 3,300 computer engineering and Web development jobs since the beginning of this year, 50 percent more than in the same period in 2011.

Logan Airport changes its ATM landscape

By Todd Wallack

JP Morgan Chase, with no branches in Massachusetts, will hold more money machine spots than any other bank at the airport, forcing some local travelers to pay more.

Aly Raisman lands Poland Spring endorsement deal

By Dan Adams and Jaclyn Reiss

The local gymnast and gold medalist has inked her first post-Olympic sponsorship deal, signing on to promote the New England water company.

Harry J. Elam Sr., 90, pioneering black jurist in Massachusetts

By Bryan Marquard

Harry Elam Sr. was the first black judge appointed to the Boston Municipal Court bench, and was that court’s first black chief justice before being elevated to the Superior Court.

Meles Zenawi, 57; Ethiopian prime minister

By Jason Straziuso and Kirubel Tadesse

Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia’s longtime ruler and a major US counter-terrorism ally who is credited with economic gains but blamed for human rights abuses, died of an undisclosed illness.

Dom Mintoff, longtime fiery socialist leader of Malta, 96

By Robert D. McFadden

Dom Mintoff, who closed NATO bases, evicted British interests, and courted China and Libya as he charted an independent course for his tiny Mediterranean nation, died Monday.

Dan Shaughnessy

Dustin Pedroia gives his side of the story

By Dan Shaughnessy

The second baseman, scarred for maybe the first time among fans, defended his role in the players’ meeting with Sox owners.

Angels 5, Red Sox 3

Struggling Red Sox fall to Angels

By Peter Abraham

Mark Trumbo’s long two-run homer in the fifth off Aaron Cook decided the game as the Angels beat the Sox, 5-3.

Patriots’ Brandon Bolden focuses on positive

By Michael Whitmer

The undrafted rookie running back, who turned some heads against the Eagles for both good and bad reasons, is hoping to make an impact and earn a roster spot.

G cover

Cannoli have become Americanized

By Stephanie Steinberg

The crisp shells filled with sweet ricotta cheese are a staple in the North End. But the pastry has become so Americanized that chefs fear cannoli are losing their Italian essence.

You need at least 6 cannoli tubes and a pot in which you can deep-fat fry.

Dining Out

M3 offers down-home comfort

By Devra First

It feels like a perfect night on the other side of the Mason-Dixon, even though your waitress might be a student at Tufts.