Obama taps John Kerry as secretary of state

By Bryan Bender and Glen Johnson

President Obama nominated Senator John Kerry of Mass. as the next secretary of state on Friday.

A post Kerry has prepared to tackle

By Tracy Jan and Bryan Bender

A lifetime spent around foreign policy and international issues has prepared John Kerry for the State Department.

NRA response to shootings: Armed officer in every school

By Bobby Caina Calvan

The group’s top lobbyist slammed violent video games and movies, and said that “the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.’’

By Jean H. Lee

North Korea said Friday that a US citizen has been detained after confessing to unspecified crimes.

Energy, trade, Syria on agenda for Putin at EU summit

By James Kanterand Stephen Castle

Russian President Vladimir V. Putin began his first talks at the European Union-Russia Summit since his reelection this year.

By Ben Hubbard

Syria’s rebels stepped up attacks, while reports emerged that President Bashar Assad’s forces continued to fire missiles at rebel areas.

Tom Keane

A guide to last-minute gifts, Massachusetts style

By Tom Keane

Know anyone who would appreciate a Warren-and-Brown-themed Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots or a Deval Patrick Magic 8-Ball?

Lawrence Harmon

Good food belongs in poor neighborhoods

By Lawrence Harmon

People should consider a one-time investment of $100 to become member-owners of the Dorchester Community Food Co-op.

Renée Loth

A few of my favorite things

By Renée Loth

The icy waters off Plum Island Sound, the first crocus, the throaty sound a cello makes … these are the things I’d mourn should the apocalypse come.

Menino, police call NRA gun plan preposterous

By Martine Powers

Mayor Menino called the organization’s demand for an armed guard in every US school a “ploy to bring more guns into our neighborhoods.”

Postal Service shares a century of letters to Santa

By David Filipov

This year marked the 100th anniversary of the official start of the Letters to Santa program, which seeks to match the neediest writers with benefactors.

By Zachary T. Sampson

New England Compounding Center is accused of distributing tainted steroids that have killed 39 in a nationwide outbreak.

Gasoline price gap widens as suppliers use different tactics

By Erin Ailworth

The gap is unusually wide right now, and caused in part by the speed at which prices in the overall market are falling.

By Casey Ross

A new review of Boston’s downtown waterfront could result in sweeping changes to the area between Long Wharf and the Northern Avenue Bridge.

By Jenn Abelson

The deal is expected to help the firm launch e-commerce sites for its T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods chains.

Thomas W. McGee, ex-speaker of Mass. House, dies at 88

By Zachary T. Sampson

Mr. McGee served as speaker from 1975 until 1984, when he was ousted in a bitter rift by George Keverian, who had served as majority leader.

Donald Romeo, 78; dentist, pilot aided Honduras’s poor

By Stephanie M. Peters

An oral surgeon who loved to fly planes, Dr. Romeo volunteered for the Flying Dentists Association’s mission trips to Honduras.

Larry L. King, 83; wrote ‘The Best Little Whorehouse’

By Mark Kennedy

Mr. King’s magazine article about a campaign to close down a popular bordello became a hit Tony Award-nominated musical and a movie starring Burt Reynolds.

Bucks 99, Celtics 94

Celtics tumble in overtime

By Gary Washburn

Paul Pierce followed his 40-point game Wednesday with 35-pointer Friday. But his teammates struggled in the 99-94 loss to the Bucks.

Chung trying to keep up with Patriots defense

By Julian Benbow

Even when he isn’t on the field, safety Patrick Chung is doing all he can to keep pace with the changing defensive calls.

Revolution sign Braintree’s Scott Caldwell

By Craig Forde

Caldwell fulfilled his lifelong dream of playing professional soccer for the New England Revolution.

Story slams growing in popularity

By Eugenia Williamson

Storytelling events are growing in popularity across the country, thanks in part to New York nonprofit The Moth and its radio reach.

From the Archives

From the Globe archives: Santa airborne, bound for the North End

Boston is transformed during the holiday season, as Santa walks the streets, excited children abound, and fanciful decorations are everywhere.

Book Review

‘Silent House’ by Orhan Pamuk

By Richard Eder

“Silent House,” written nearly 30 years ago, has a few of Pamuk’s strengths, but if it has any real interest it is to illustrate how much a novelist can grow.