Armstrong to lose Tour titles, get lifetime ban

The US Anti-Doping Agency will ban Lance Armstrong for life and strip him of his seven Tour de France titles. The sport’s governing International Cycling Union has not announced a decision.

 The USADA said Thursday it would ban cyclist Lance Armstrong for life and strip him of his seven Tour de France wins.

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The US Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday it would ban cyclist Lance Armstrong for life and strip him of his Tour de France wins.

Armstrong on Thursday night dropped any further challenges to USADA’s allegations that he took performance-enhancing drugs.

mike Hutchings/reuters

Armstrong on Thursday night dropped any further challenges to USADA’s allegations that he took performance-enhancing drugs.

Armstrong had an unprecedented winning streak at the Tour de France, taking the title from 1999 to 2005.

Benoit Tessier/reuters

Armstrong had an unprecedented winning streak at the Tour de France, taking the title from 1999 to 2005.

Alessandro Trovati/associated press

Armstrong, here in 2005 with Johan Bruyneel, sporting director of the Discovery team, became the sport's most popular figure.

The USADA has maintained that Armstrong has used banned substances as far back as 1996.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

The USADA has maintained that Armstrong has used banned substances as far back as 1996.

In a statement Thursday, Armstrong called the USADA investigation an ‘‘unconstitutional witch hunt.’’

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

In a statement Thursday, Armstrong called the USADA investigation an ‘‘unconstitutional witch hunt.’’

Jackie, Sue, and Lynn as seen in “49 Up,” a 2005 British film that is part of a decades-long series of documentaries.

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A study of class captures shape, sweep of real lives

My family and I have been watching a group of children grow up, writes Joan Wickersham. When we first encountered them a few weeks ago, they were 7 years old. Now they are 49.

“We have some friends who can really wail,” says Beirut’s Ben Lanz. “It’s a happy situation, with everyone giddy to be playing.”

Beirut settles in

When the band kicks off a new leg of its ongoing tour, it will feature an expanded version of its core lineup.

Hampshire starts fund for undocumented immigrants

The private liberal arts college in Amherst has created a financial aid endowment that so far has raised $300,000 in donations from alumni, parents, and recent graduates.

Mitt Romney has faced criticism from political rivals for shielding or deferring massive amounts of money from taxes by keeping it in his IRA and in offshore vehicles such as the Cayman Islands branches of various Bain Capital funds.

Bain documents show Mitt Romney investments

Hundreds of pages of Bain Capital documents published by Gawker Thursday revealed details on a number of funds in which Romney has invested.

Ayn Rand

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Ayn Rand’s detractors miss her vision

Rand, a favorite author of Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, is best viewed as a brilliant maverick who espoused a unique kind of individualism.

Christy Mihos plans tell-all book

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From the Archives | Photo gallery

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Private railroads and horse-drawn streetcar companies served the transportation needs of Boston and outlying towns for decades before the MBTA accepted its first token.

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Jonathan Fanene, who signed a lucrative three-year deal with a sizable signing bonus, was just cut by the Patriots.

Questions remain about Jonathan Fanene

How much did the Patriots know about Fanene’s injury? And will they be able to recoup some of the $3.85m signing bonus they gave him in March.

Business

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Microsoft unveiled a new corporate logo at the store opening in the Prudential Center Thursday.

Microsoft opens Boston store

Hundreds gathered for the 10 a.m. opening of Microsoft’s new Prudential Center store. As the crowd pushed in, they were greeted with high-fives from the enthusiastic staff.