Leaders hopeful fiscal cliff can be averted

By Matt Viser and Christopher Rowland

Top congressional leaders emerged from a meeting with President Obama trying to project bipartisan confidence that they could avert a potential economic catastrophe.

Latest link returns Kennedy name to D.C.

By Tracy Jan

Marking the return of a political dynasty, the 32-year-old Joseph Kennedy III is determined to make his own mark.

Petraeus says terrorists’ role was withheld to avoid tip-offs

By Kimberly Dozier and Nedra Pickler

Intelligence showed the Libyan attack was by terrorists but the administration withheld the suspected role of Al Qaeda to avoid tipping them off.

Israel readies Gaza invasion as Hamas rockets zero in

By Karin Brulliard

Israel prepared for a possible ground invasion of the Gaza Strip Friday as Hamas militants continued to lob rockets into Israel.

By Tracie Cone

A landmark agreement has settled a slaughterhouse abuse case that led to the biggest meat recall in U.S. history in 2008.

Angry Jordanian protesters urge ouster of king

By Jamal Halaby

Calls for the ouster of Jordan’s King Abdullah II grew Friday, as thousands of protesters packed the streets.

Joseph Aoun

A shakeup of higher education

By Joseph E. Aoun

Massive open online course sites will change universities — but how?

Lawrence Harmon

Foxborough’s drinking problem

By Lawrence Harmon

It’s not illegal to be intoxicated in Massachusetts. But it’s overreaching if Foxborough police put people in protective custody who aren’t incapacitated.

Editorial

The Petraeus saga might actually prompt some productive discussion about the relative weakness of e-mail security.

Adrian Walker

From bad to worse for a bitter Mitt Romney

By Adrian Walker

Once, Romney was a moderate. Later he was a “severe conservative.” Now, apparently, he is a bitter elitist. Perhaps he can become a defeated but gracious statesman.

Joseph Aoun

A shakeup of higher education

By Joseph E. Aoun

Massive open online course sites will change universities — but how?

By Eric Moskowitz

Nearly six years after a bipartisan commission sounded the alarm about the transportation system, Governor Deval Patrick will ask lawmakers to solve the problem.

With Hostess closing, gold rush is on for endangered Twinkies

By Jenn Abelson and Laura Finaldi

A run on the cream-filled golden sponge cakes was prompted by the news that Hostess Brands was shutting down after a crippling labor dispute.

Fidelity plans to move Boston headquarters

By Beth Healy

Fidelity Investments plans to move its Boston headquarters to 245 Summer St., eventually vacating its offices on Devonshire Street.

By Robert Weisman

Rates will rise an average of 3.6 percent for small businesses and individuals in early 2013.

Peggy McCarter; activist took soft-spoken approach

By Alli Knothe

Mrs. McCarter, 86, was an activist for about 50 years and had lived in Westport.

Martin Fay, Irish violinist with the Chieftains

By Douglas Martin

Mr. Fay, 76, was a classically trained violinist who helped revive traditional Irish music as a founding member of the Chieftains.

Bertram Wyatt-Brown, 80; historian of ‘Southern Honor’

By Matt Schudel

Dr. Wyatt-Brown was a leading historian whose influential book ‘‘Southern Honor’’ illuminated the ethics and fear of shame that defined the moral code of the old South.

Yale at Harvard | Saturday, noon

John Collins, Harvard ready for 129th clash against Yale

By Craig Larson

The Harvard football team still can earn a share of the Ivy League title with a win over Yale Saturday.

Justin Francis can make a big impression with Patriots

By Michael Whitmer

Time was, the rookie defensive lineman couldn’t play, even when he wanted. Now that he can, he’s making up for lost time.

BC 4, Merrimack 3

No. 1 Boston College rallies to beat Merrimack

By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell

Steven Whitney scored two goals, including the game-winner, and the Eagles overcame a three-goal deficit to win.

Do you repeat the same wardrobe mistakes year after year?

By Beth Teitell

The challenge posed by the seemingly simple act of purchasing clothing is so enormous that clinical psychologist Jennifer Baumgartner has written an entire book on the subject.

By Beth Teitell

Clinical psychologist and author of “You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal About You,” says there are small steps you can take to vary your look, even if only slightly.

Stage Review

‘Betrayal’: The end, the beginning, and the space in between

By Don Aucoin

At the Huntington Theatre Company, the play casts a refracted, subtly illuminating light.