O’Brien seeks public funds for defense

John O’Brien, the state’s former probation commissioner, wants the funds to pay for two lawyers to defend him against racketeering and fraud charges.

Salvatore DiMasi has rare form of cancer

The former House speaker has been diagnosed with cancer in his tongue and lymph nodes, his family confirmed Friday, but it’s unclear where he will be treated.

Blind Chinese activist heads to US

Chen Guangcheng boarded a plane today, closing a diplomatic tussle that had tested US-China relations.

 “Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning” was 38 Studios’ first title.

tom keane

Rhode Island’s fool’s game with Curt Schilling

The problem with the loan guarantee to 38 Studios isn’t that it was a bad deal. It’s that the state had no business doing it in the first place.

Todd English left restaurant in shambles

English, the celebrity chef who owes more than $1 million in back rent for his Kingfish Hall restaurant, left the space with thousands of dollars in damage.

Renoir paintings (from left) “Dance at Bougival,” “Dance in the Country,’’ and “Dance in the City.’’ ­

Museum of Fine Arts, boston

At MFA, dancing the night away in the arms of Renoir

“Dance at Bougival” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir hangs in the Museum of Fine Arts, where it sends out palpable vibrations of pleasure.

For lesbian, gay youths, prom provides haven of acceptance

A youth prom specifically for gay, bisexual, and transgender teens celebrates 31 years.

Paul Pierce lost the ball on a second quarter drive as he was double-teamed by Evan Turner (left) and Andre Iguodala (right).

Dan Shaughnessy

It’s very clear the Celtics gave this one away

The Celtics blew a golden opportunity to get an almost-free pass into the conference finals. Now the series is 2-2 and they are going to have to come back here.

Losses mount for Red Sox season ticket holders

In the wake of the Sox’ collapse last fall, their last-place standing, and on-going excitement gap, financially and socially, season ticket holders’ currency has plummeted.

adrian walker

Bullets to billboards

Billboards depicting young victims of homicide— reminders of lives cut short — should begin dotting the city’s skyline by mid-June.

Business

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Facebook’s hot start turns tepid

Facebook shares climbed to $45 in early going on the Nasdaq Stock Market, only to fall quickly and end the day at $38.23, up just six-tenths of a percent.

Lifestyle

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A motherhood wish list

It’s so tempting to get riled up by the mommy wars, isn’t it? The Time magazine cover story about extreme parenting is infamous by now.