Obama, Romney turn focus to women’s issues

By Callum Borchers, Beth Healy and Bobby Caina Calvan

President Obama highlighted Mitt Romney’s plans to cut funds for Planned Parenthood Wednesday. Romney said women are focused on the economy and jobs.

Multivitamins can reduce cancer risk, Boston study suggests

By Deborah Kotz

A large clinical trial by Brigham and Women’s Hospital has shown that a daily multivitamin works to prevent cancer in older men.

By Larry Neumeister

A Texas man pleaded guilty Wednesday to plotting to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, agreeing to hire a person he thought was a drug dealer in Mexico last year for $1.5 million to carry out the attack with explosives at a Washington restaurant.

By David D. Kirkpatrick

Libyan authorities said Ahmed Abu Khattala, a leader of an Islamist group, was a commander in the attack that killed the US ambassador to Libya.

By Raf Casert

Drought, frost, and hail have decimated the harvest in some wine-producing places, although the taste of the wines is not expected to decline.

By Ben Fox

The self-styled terrorist mastermind of Sept. 11 wore a camouflage vest at a tribunal, a clothing choice previously denied because of fears it might disrupt the court.

Juliette Kayyem

Foreign policy and the parental perspective

By Juliette Kayyem

When it comes to foreign policy, Mitt Romney takes a “tiger mom” approach, while President Obama is “French mom.”

joan vennochi

Obama needs to win the not-so-optimistic

By Joan Vennochi

Barack Obama won the hope vote in 2008. Now, to keep the White House, President Obama needs to win back the disappointed.

Edward L. Glaeser

By Edward L. Glaeser

The work of two economists who won the Nobel prize, including a Harvard professor, illuminate the school-assignment problem.

Merging of families fueled businesses linked to meningitis outbreak

By Todd Wallack and Patricia Wen

The Framingham pharmacy linked to the deadly national outbreak might not have existed but for a relationship that started three decades ago.

Brown, Warren show sharpest differences on taxes

By Michael Levenson

Senator Scott Brown says Elizabeth Warren has an insatiable appetite for higher taxes. She says he is holding the middle class hostage.

For these rowers, Head of Charles is family time

By John Powers

Four members of the Campbell family of New Canaan, Conn., will be on the river this weekend at the 48th annual Head of the Charles Regatta.

Merging of families fueled businesses linked to meningitis outbreak

By Todd Wallack and Patricia Wen

The Framingham pharmacy linked to the deadly national outbreak might not have existed but for a relationship that started three decades ago.

Construction may bring a new vitality to Columbia Point

By Casey Ross

A burst of activity may transform the numerous vacant properties into housing, stores, restaurants, and other attractions.

LGBT workplace policies a draw for MBA students

By Katie Johnston

An annual conference aims to connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students with the nation’s leading companies.

Mary Janney, 91; helped launch women’s career resources group

By Matt Schudel

Ms. Janney, who was a founder of Wider Opportunities for Women, a career resource center in Washington, D.C., that has helped thousands of women find work, died Oct. 7.

Paul Blum, 65, scientist; joined Peace Corps

By Bryan Marquard

Formerly a scientist for pharmaceutical and biotech companies, Dr. Blum helped companies pursuing clinical trials and approval of new drugs before moving from Cambridge to Zambia.

George Whitmore Jr., 68; coerced confession was key factor in Miranda ruling

By Paul Vitello

Mr. Whitmore, who confessed in 1964 to three murders he did not commit, and whose case helped lead to the Supreme Court’s 1966 “Miranda’’ ruling, died Oct. 8 in a Wildwood, N.J.

As Patriots struggle, AFC East is wide open

By Shalise Manza Young

All four AFC East teams have 3-3 records, giving other teams a chance at ending the Patriots’ hold on the division.

Dan Shaughnessy

Red Sox taking too long hiring a manager

By Dan Shaughnessy

Why is it taking so long for the Sox to hire a manager? If John Farrell is their guy, then make a deal with Toronto. If not, move on.

For these rowers, Head of Charles is family time

By John Powers

Four members of the Campbell family of New Canaan, Conn., will be on the river this weekend at the 48th annual Head of the Charles Regatta.

Ethel Kennedy, in twilight and limelight

By Joseph P. Kahn

Rory Kennedy’s documentary on HBO puts her mother, Ethel, in the spotlight. But frankly, she’s more at home on the golf course.

TELEVISION Review

A Kennedy home movie: Ethel Kennedy and family remember

By Mark Feeney

“Ethel” allows Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy to combine work and family.

style

Zandra Rhodes on the enduring punk aesthetic

By Jessica Teich

The legendary designer has gathered her favorite looks, spanning several decades, for a new retrospective at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Cambodian kiln lights up tradition in Lowell

By Joel Brown

A community effort in Lowell helps a Cambodian ceramicist fulfill his dream of a wood-fired kiln to preserve an ancient tradition.

Forever 128

Biotech lab space west of Boston surged 50% since 2007

By Scott Van Voorhis

While much of the economy has been stuck in low gear since the Great Recession, the life sciences industry has kept on growing in Massachusetts.

By Brenda J. Buote

Parents in the community, where many children walk to and from school together, are anxiously waiting to see what kind of plan the five-member school board will embrace.

Dull Men’s Club celebrates the ordinary in Pembroke

By Emily Sweeney

A weekly gathering brings together retired men to trade jokes and gibes, and discuss the mundane, the ridiculous, or just plain ordinary.

By Emily Sweeney

The Pembroke Dull Men’s Club is “dull but not boring,” according to its members.

By Christine Legere

A proposal to add 40 suites at the popular Red Lion Inn Resort in Cohasset Village has created a stir in the picturesque neighborhood.

Schools search for ways to expand ‘advanced’ MCAS ranks

By Calvin Hennick

Local high schools in the Metco program are redoubling efforts to challenge and equip all students to achieve top MCAS scores.

A Globe review of school districts in communities west of Boston that participate in the Metco program found a large gap between the percentage of white and African-American 10th-graders who scored “advanced” on the spring 2012 MCAS exams.

A Globe review of area school districts that participate in the Metco program found a large gap between the percentage of white and African-American 10th-graders who scored “advanced” on last spring’s MCAS exam.