Romney rips Obama on China despite investments

By Matt Viser

Mitt Romney sharpened his criticism of President Obama’s handling of China’s trade practices, although he has invested in Chinese firms that use some of those methods.

By Christine Armario

Just a quarter of eighth and 12th grade students in the United States have solid writing skills, according to results of a national exam.

Fifty-five years after Maria Ridulph vanished, a former neighborhood teen — now a 72-year-old man — was pronounced guilty of her murder and kidnapping.

Anti-American violence expands

By Rick Gladstone

At least six protesters were killed and dozens of people were wounded in protests that spread from North Africa to Southeast Asia and Indonesia.

By Hiroko Tabuchi

Japan said Friday that it would seek to phase out nuclear power by 2040, a historic shift for a country that has long staked its future on nuclear energy.

Tensions between the Asian giants have flared anew after the Japanese government bought disputed islands in the East China Sea this week.

opinion | Renée Loth

Recycling, tree pruning, and other assaults on liberty

By Renée Loth

To an increasingly vocal group of activists, local planning boards are cells of hidden conspiracies to undermine US freedom and sovereignty.

Joshua Green

When up means down

By Joshua Green

If Mitt Romney has lost his advantage on the economy, it could explain why the race will be harder for him to win even if he does manage to get his act together.

Roland Merullo

By Roland Merullo

Repeal Obamacare? Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and thinking about the choice between paying for medicine or paying the mortgage.

E-mails portray state drug lab in chaos

By Kay Lazar and John R. Ellement

Internal e-mails ­describe a staff drowning in work, misplaced evidence in crime cases, and mounting frustrations over the Patrick administration’s seeming indifference.

Boston innovation high school off to rough start

By James Vaznis

When Madison Park re-opened as an innovation school Sept. 6, the first hard-fought step of its turnaround effort, confusion, frustration, and disappointment filled the halls.

For late-night diners in Boston, Asian cuisine is what’s hot

By Devra First

Asian food is increasingly influential as customers gravitate to its bright, bold, and spicy flavors, and chefs see such late-night menus as a way to bring in crowds.

By Jenn Abelson and Beth Healy

Shares of Staples edged up slightly following a report that several private equity firms are considering making bids for the Framingham office supply giant.

Skyline blooms as Boston OK’s over $1.5b in projects

By Casey Ross

Projects include a huge expansion of New Balance’s headquarters, as well as residential and retail developments in Downtown Crossing, the Fenway, and the South End.

By Robert Weisman

Regulators signed off on Partners HealthCare System’s acquisition of Neighborhood Health Plan, putting the state’s largest hospital and physicians organization into the insurance business.

David Whelan, 54; served Swampscott public schools

By Katherine Landergan

A former chairman of the Swampscott School Committee, Mr. Whelan served his town in many ways, from public office to participating in community and political groups.

Larry Gibson; W.Va. activist fought mountain mining

By Matt Schudel

Mr. Gibson, 66, was an unlikely activist who fought West Virginia’s powerful coal interests to preserve a mountain that had been his family’s home for generations.

Jaylee Mead, astronomer, arts philanthropist in D.C.

By Emily Langer

Dr. Mead, 83, was a NASA astronomer who married into a paper manufacturing fortune and with her husband, Gilbert, helped transform Washington’s cultural scene.

Ryan Wendell a valued member of Patriots’ line

By Michael Whitmer

Wendell has worked his way up through the ranks from undrafted free agent to versatile supersub to a band-aid starter. Now he’s taken the next step: becoming a starting center.

Patriots notebook

Chandler Jones looks to build on solid debut

By Michael Whitmer

The Patriots rookie had five tackles against the Titans, including a sack that forced a fumble returned for a touchdown, but he’s not cocky heading into Sunday’s home opener.

Red sox notebook

Daniel Nava saves day in field, at bat for Red Sox

By Michael Vega

The Red Sox left fielder broke a 3-3 tie with his two-run single with the bases loaded in the fifth, then made a spectacular diving grab in the eighth.

Homework: To nag or not to nag?

By Beth Teitell

Many parents say they fear if they don’t say something—or yell it—their children will never do homework.

Book Review

‘A Wanted Man’ by Lee Child

By Eugenia Williamson

Child’s 17th Jack Reacher novel is a solid addition to the ever-growing chronicles of the inveterate ascetic, exquisitely calibrated über-detective, fighting machine, diner, and firearm aficionado.

Art Review

Artists with conscience: Husband-wife duo use whimsy to comment on social issues

By Cate McQuaid

“Lucy + Jorge Orta: Food--Water--Life" at the Tufts University Art Gallery addresses urgent societal issues with earnest ambition and a touch of playful whimsy.