Obama’s fiscal offer gives his party pause

By Christopher Rowland

Democrats in Congress were unhappy to learn that President Obama may be willing to trim future Social Security payments as part of a budget deal.

Schools reopen in Newtown, except Sandy Hook

By David Klepper

Newtown returned its students to their classrooms Tuesday for the first time since last week’s massacre and faced the agonizing task of laying others to rest.

Nearly two dozen fraternity members at Northern Illinois University were charged after a freshman was found dead following a night of drinking.

US news crew is freed in Syria

By Brian Stelter

Foreign correspondent Richard Engel of NBC News and three crew members were freed unharmed after five days in captivity in Syria.

Hague verdict frees Congolese rebel

The acquittal of Mathieu Ngudjolo on charges of rape, murder and pillage was only the second verdict in the court’s 10 years and the first time it had cleared a suspect.

Queen Elizabeth II makes rare visit to Cabinet

Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to attend a Cabinet meeting since George III in 1781.

joshua green

Expansion of Medicaid may prevent future tragedies

By Joshua Green

Though mainly thought of as a safety-net program for the poor, Medicaid provides about half of state mental-health budgets.

scot lehigh

By Scot Lehigh

If John Kerry becomes secretary of state, Governor Patrick should appoint an interim senator who pledges not to run for the job — which may be best for the Democrats.

jeff jacoby

By Jeff Jacoby

No regulation or reform can prevent all homicidal insanity, and still less can legislation guarantee universal integrity and decent character.

68 Blocks: Life, death, hope: Part 4 of 5

Pushing back against the tide

By Globe Staff

Mayhem has a kind of momentum; it can be exhausting to resist. In Bowdoin-Geneva, an anticrime effort flops. And Big Nate explodes. But the peace festival rocks, and a son in jail has started to pray.

18 percent of Americans take pass on holiday shopping

By James H. Burnett III

A new report reveals that nearly one in five Americans will do no holiday shopping at all this year.

By James Vaznis

The trustees of the embattled Gloucester Community Arts Charter School voted to shut down one day before the state was expected to begin revoking its charter.

Shootings in Connecticut

Mass. to review pension holdings in weapons firms

By Beth Healy

In the wake of the Newtown shootings, Mass. Treasurer Steve Grossman directed the state pension fund to review its investments in any companies in the firearms industry.

Bouncing holiday prices have buyers reeling

By Jenn Abelson

If you’re holding out for a Christmas Eve shopping spree on the theory discounts will be plentiful, think again.

By Casey Ross

Goodwin Procter LLP is moving to the Fan Pier development on the South Boston Waterfront, where it will occupy a new 17-story office and hotel building.

Henry Colt Jr., 88; nonprofit fund-raiser

By Bryan Marquard

With grace and courtesy, Mr. Colt spent nearly 35 years in development positions at Harvard, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Perkins School for the Blind.

By Martin Griffith

As a precocious, freckle-faced youngster, Mr. Hanlon was a natural as a child actor from 1926 to 1933.

Forrest Shumway, 85; corporate white knight

By Ben Protess

Mr. Shumway embraced his reputation as a high-stakes takeover artist but shunned the hostile deals that long defined corporate culture.

Bulls 100, Celtics 89

Celtics outworked by the Bulls

By Gary Washburn

The Celtics never figured out how to play defense for longer than 10 seconds, allowing the slower-tempo Bulls to feast on their slippage.

Dan Shaughnessy

Red Sox look like last-place team again

By Dan Shaughnessy

The Red Sox have made some decent moves this offseason, but it’s hard to imagine them overtaking the Yankees, Blue Jays, Rays, or Orioles.

On football | Midweek Report

Patriots now know what to expect against 49ers

By Greg A. Bedard

If the Patriots get another chance at the 49ers in the Super Bowl, you can bet they’ll be better prepared.

From our cookie jar to yours

By Sheryl Julian

We’ve written a new e-book featuring 20 cookie recipes. Here are five of our favorites, which we offer with good cheer.

Recipe for Suzanne Lombardi’s molasses-clove cookies

Recipe for Suzanne Lombardi’s molasses-clove cookies.

Recipe for Alice Medrich’s chocolate-chip cookies

Recipe for Alice Medrich’s chocolate-chip cookies.