Obama rips critics of UN ambassador

By Matt Viser

The president aggressively defended Ambassador Susan Rice from Republican charges she misled the public on the Libya attacks.

Paula Broadwell fell short of aims at Harvard

By Callum Borchers, Tracy Jan and Bryan Bender

The biographer with whom former CIA ­director David Petraeus had an affair abandoned her bid for a doctorate from Harvard in 2007.

By Gina Kolata

The discovery of the mutated gene, researchers say, provides clues to how and why Alzheimer’s disease progresses.

Israeli strikes on Gaza kill Hamas official

By Fares Akram and Isabel Kershner

Israel launched the most ferocious assault on Gaza in four years after persistent rocket fire, hitting at least 20 targets in attacks that killed the top military commander of Hamas.

By PETER JAMES SPIELMANN

A UN report said inadequate efforts by the world body to protect civilians during the final months of Sri Lanka’s civil war were a failure that led to suffering for hundreds of thousands of people.

By BRAHIMA OUEDRAOGO

The militants’ stance appears to offer little ground in last-ditch talks meant to avert a military intervention to take back the region in northern Mali.

Opinion: Juliette Kayyem

The GOP’s ‘Hispanic problem’

By Juliette Kayyem

Republicans are using a multi-faceted approach in their search for a way to soften the party’s hard edge on immigration.

joan vennochi

John Kerry should be secretary of state

By Joan Vennochi

Kerry has experience, has been a loyal Obama supporter, and importantly, doesn’t have baggage as the president searches for a secretary of state.

edward l. glaeser

Help New York rebuild, but fix FEMA, too

By Edward L. Glaeser

FEMA’s insurance programs need an overhaul so that they don’t encourage building in high-risk areas.

Co-owner of pharmacy blamed for outbreak stays silent at hearing

By Liz Kowalczyk and Kay Lazar

Barry Cadden, co-owner of the firm blamed for the meningitis outbreak, repeatedly exercised his right not to incriminate himself before a House panel.

Yvonne Abraham

The nightmare long before Christmas

By Yvonne Abraham

Whether we like it or not, we’re trapped in seasonal Turducken of three holidays in one, and ’tis already the season to be jolly.

Marshall Bouldin, 89, artist had work in White House

The portrait artist’s paintings have been displayed in the White House and more than 400 public and private collections throughout the country.

By Todd Wallack

Most small-business owners in Greater Boston expect revenues to rise in 2013, and many expect to hire more workers, a survey found.

Tech Lab

Samsung, Nokia phones turn the tables on Apple

By Hiawatha Bray

Samsung’s Galaxy­ Note II is a massive marvel with a monster screen and all-day battery life. Nokia’s Lumia 810 is attractive and runs Windows Phone 8.

Franchisees riled over Upper Crust’s discount vouchers

By Jenn Abelson

Upper Crust franchisees complained that the pizza chain sold thousands of discount vouchers without their knowledge and kept the proceeds.

Thomas McCraw, economist and biographer; 72

By J.M. Lawrence

Dr. McCraw brought economic theory and business practices to life in the classes he taught at Harvard University and through his books.

Will Barnet, printmaker and painter; at 101

By Ken Johnson

The printmaker and painter was known for elegantly stylized portraits and classically composed visions of beautiful women and children.

Marshall Bouldin, 89, artist had work in White House

The portrait artist’s paintings have been displayed in the White House and more than 400 public and private collections throughout the country.

Celtics 98, Jazz 93

Rajon Rondo injures ankle in Celtics’ win

By Frank Dell’Apa

Rondo left late in the third quarter, but the Celtics proved they can perform without him as Leandro Barbosa fueled the offense.

on basketball

Leandro Barbosa sparks Celtics past Jazz

By Gary Washburn

Leandro Barbosa was 4 for 5 shooting taking over for Rajon Rondo for 9 of his 16 points.

Andrew Luck part of a golden era for rookie QBs

By Michael Whitmer

The No. 1 overall pick, who brings the 6-3 Colts to Foxborough on Sunday, is one of a wave of young QBs who now enter the league more ready to play than ever.

Home, for the long run

By Linda Matchan

Some forward-thinking baby boomers are making accessibility modifications to their homes before they need them.

TELEVISION REVIEW

‘Crossfire Hurricane’: Becoming the Rolling Stones

By Matthew Gilbert

Keith Richards and the other Rolling Stones recall their early years, from 1962 to 1978, as an otherworldly blur of nonstop drugs, alcohol, touring, and fan worship.

BOOK REVIEW

By Alan Cheuse

Of all the portraits of spies in novels, stories, biographies, and histories, the treatments of Harold “Kim” Philby seem to fascinate us the most.

Tour provides a taste of Salem history

By Joel Brown

Salem Food Tours opened for business in September, offering tours of local culinary hotspots for up to a dozen people, both tourists and locals.

Winchester

By Brenda J. Buote

A divided Winchester School Committee approved a map-based model that would change the school assignments for hundreds of the town’s elementary students next September.

Woburn

New memorial honors all of Woburn’s war veterans

By John Laidler

The city dedicated a new memorial on Sunday that contains the names of 11,665 residents who have served in the military during times of war from the 17th century to today.

A Spanish course for native speakers

By Natalie Feulner

The Spanish for Native Speakers course at Dedham High is an innovative attempt to help native Spanish speakers learn more about Spanish. 

Cohasset

By Johanna Seltz

A 64-year-old former Cohasset employee has filed a complaint with the state alleging that because of his age he was stripped of his duties and treated poorly.

Canton

Canton solar field still opposed by electrical union

By Meg Murphy

The energy plant opened to praise from state and local officials in late summer, but it continues to draw criticism from the union, whose members did not get the installation job.

When disaster strikes, Medical Reserve Corps springs into action

By Kathleen Burge

The Medical Reserve Corps of Region 4A started as part of a national effort to create a system of regional public health networks for emergencies in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Newton

By Deirdre Fernandes

The school will be adding lampposts on campus and installing additional lights in its buildings, and is exploring whether to install blue-light emergency phones.

Waltham

Blasting extended at former Polaroid property

By Scott Van Voorhis

Daily blasting to clear rock and ledge from the construction site along Route 128 will continue into the Spring.