Romney’s words hinder his campaign

By Matt Viser

Mitt Romney’s own words are hurting him, a campaign problem that can’t be fixed with a staff shakeup.

Critic’s Notebook

Partisan messages now easier than ever to spread with film, video

By Ty Burr

It is easier than ever to get a message, innocuous or incendiary, in front of the world’s eyeballs, whether through movie theaters or by taking one’s case to YouTube.

Justice Dept. faulted in gun-trafficking operation

By Charlie Savage

An internal watchdog faulted the agency for numerous errors during a bungled gun-trafficking probe that resulted in hundreds of weapons turning up at crime scenes.

By Jim Suhr

Crews scrambled to make repairs near the busiest lock on a vital commerce corridor near St. Louis as hundreds of barges and tugboats backed up.

New French cartoons inflame prophet film tensions

By Jamey Keaten and Lori Hinnant

France stepped up security at embassies across the Muslim world after a French weekly published crude caricatures of the prophet Mohammed.

By Edward Wong

The Chinese official account of the trial of a former police chief essentially accused disgraced politician Bo Xilai of trying to cover up the murder of a British businessman by his wife.

juliette kayyem

Panama Canal’s future depends on accommodating wider loads

By Juliette Kayyem

Work is underway to widen and deepen the canal to make room for the giant ships that are carrying more and more of the world’s freight.

joshua green

By Joshua Green

The Earned Income Tax Credit, enacted under President Reagan, was intended to reduce the tax burden on poor people, something Mitt Romney has now bemoaned.

Joan Vennochi

By Joan Vennochi

What is it about Massachusetts politicians who run for president? Is it something in the local air, or maybe in the ivory towers that nurtured them?

Many schools in state lagging on MCAS

By Peter Schworm

Nearly two-thirds of Massachusetts public schools are falling short of performance targets under the state’s new evaluation system.

Critic’s Notebook

Partisan messages now easier than ever to spread with film, video

By Ty Burr

It is easier than ever to get a message, innocuous or incendiary, in front of the world’s eyeballs, whether through movie theaters or by taking one’s case to YouTube.

Senate Debate | 7 p.m.

Scott Brown, Elizabeth Warren face unique challenges in first debate

By Frank Phillips

Elizabeth Warren must engage Scott Brown on issues without seeming aggressive tonight, while Brown must fend Warren off without hurting his likable image.

Game maker digs into Boston history, rats and all, for revolutionary adventure

By Christina Reinwald

The latest installment of “Assassin’s Creed,” a popular historical fiction video game franchise, will take place in Revolutionary-era Boston.

By Jay Fitzgerald

The former members of the now-defunct South Boston-based Local 82 are facing a 30-count indictment that includes charges of racketeering, extortion, and mail fraud.

By Robert Weisman

The move is a cost-cutting measure at the hospital, identified as one of the most expensive in the state.

James Medoff; Harvard professor helped many grasp economics

By Bryan Marquard

Dr. Medoff, 65, was the kind of economist whose plain­spoken insights could shed light from Congress to a ­Harvard classroom, from arbitration hearings to a conversation with a child.

Tom Sims, snowboard pioneer, champion, and designer

By Daniel E. Slotnik

Mr. Sims, 61, was credited with inventing one of the earliest snowboards and with helping to further snowboarding’s acceptance in the sporting world.

Christopher L. Gasper

Wes Welker strategy is unfathomable

By Christopher L. Gasper

Why the drop in Welker’s time? Contract issues, the Super Bowl drop, a repositioning of the offense, or a decline in play? Bill Belichick won’t say.

James Loney making the best of it

By Peter Abraham

The ex-Dodger is the baseball equivalent of somebody climbing aboard a sinking ship. When the Red Sox blew up their roster, he was there when the smoke cleared.

On Baseball

Red Sox must decide on manager quickly

By Nick Cafardo

If Bobby Valentine is let go, the team can ill afford a second straight offseason of not hiring someone until December.

Where to get your geek on this fall — and beyond

By Ethan Gilsdorf

You’re a new nerd in town. Let it be known that Our Fair City is a kingdom replete with every variety of nerdery known to man, woman, halfling, and beast.

Sonjia Williams proves her success on ‘Project Runway’

By Christopher Muther

A young Boston designer is making the most of her chance on the show.

Are you judging me by my double espresso?

By Beth Teitell

Guess what accessory says a lot about you? That cup of coffee you’re carrying.

Annual hospice walk helps ease the way

By Kathy McCabe

The 25th annual Walk for Hospice, a 3-mile trek in Danvers, aims to raise $250,000 to support pet therapy, grief counseling, and other services not covered by insurance or Medicare.

New rehab center nearly complete in Danvers

By John Laidler

The $14 million long-term care and rehabilitation center will open on the campus of the former Danvers State Hospital in December or January, officials said.

Cleaning up the beaches at Plum Island and beyond

By David Rattigan

Through September and October, COASTSWEEP volunteers gather at beaches on different days statewide to clean up trash and marine debris.

New Carver store joins trend of hydroponics growers

By Robert Knox

Hydroponics, the soil-less growing technique that many associate with marijuana plants, is riding a new wave of interest and respectability.

List: Plants that can be grown hydroponically

A short list of plants that can be grown hydroponically

War hero died in 1950 but still looms large in East Bridgewater

By Emily Sweeney

The portrait of Corporal Gordon M. Craig, who was killed in the Korean War, has long hung in East Bridgewater High School and will be moved to the town’s new school when it opens.

Tight housing market in suburbs west of Boston leaves renters reeling

By Scott Van Voorhis

In some cases, rents have posted double-digit increases as the number of available apartments and homes declines, recent reports indicate.

Third Middlesex District

By Kathleen Burge

In the recent state Senate primary, Joe Kearns Goodwin captured high-profile endorsements and raised nearly as much money as his five opponents combined. He also lost by 272 votes.

By Calvin Hennick

State secretary of education Paul Reville praised Marlborough’s STEM Early College High School program, which started last year.