By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar

New taxes will go into effect Jan. 1 on top earners and the health care industry to help finance President Obama’s health care overhaul.

Officials are expecting 600,000 to 800,000 visitors for President Obama’s second inauguration, far less than the 1.8 million people four years ago.

Calif. bans hunting bears with dogs

Hunting bears with hounds won’t be legal after Jan. 1, when California outlaws the use of dogs to hunt bobcats and bears.

New constitution approved in Egypt

By Aya Batrawy

The official approval of Egypt’s disputed, Islamist-backed constitution held out little hope of stabilizing the country.

Kazakhstan’s acting border service chief was among 27 people killed in a military plane crash Tuesday near a southern city.

At least eight people were killed in two Christmas Day fires near Manila, one of which left about 1,500 people homeless when it razed their shantytown.

Opinion | Neal gabler

Abraham Lincoln and the fiscal cliff

By Neal Gabler

Could the 16th president’s tactics have solved today’s political stalemate? Probably not.

JEFF JACOBY

The endless presidential campaigns

By Jeff Jacoby

Maybe voters wouldn’t get so weary of the quadrennial procession of politicians coveting the White House if that procession didn’t keep starting earlier and earlier.

editorial

In Bowdoin-Geneva, signs of hope amid economic isolation

The Dorchester neighborhood, which has suffered for years from crime and instability, has seen many ways in which residents are pushing back.

By Maria Cramer and James Vaznis

Some members of the Boston School Department’s police force believe they might be unprepared to respond to a mass shooting like the one in Newtown, Conn.

Beavers expanding range, making homes closer to people

By Beth Daley

The furry rodents are making a comeback throughout Mass., in large part because of a more-than-15-year ban on trapping them.

Transition can be tough for college transfer students

By Melanie Dostis

Many transfer students say they feel neglected by school officials once they arrive, and often have a difficult time assimilating to a new campus.

Biogen Idec to offset tax for gay staff

By Katie Johnston

The biotech company will give added reimbursement to workers in same-sex marriages because they do not receive federal tax breaks on their health insurance.

2012 ads from area’s agencies hit but missed, too

By Brian Steinberg

The Globe sussed out this year’s hits and misses from local advertising agencies.

By Todd Wallack

The biggest bank in Mass. plans to shutter four more branches in the state in March, including one near Boston City Hall, the latest in a string of closings.

Dr. Ronald Thiemann, 66; fostered religious literacy

By J.M. Lawrence

For the Harvard Divinity School professor, religious faith and intellectual rigor could live together — if not happily, then at least peacefully.

Charles Durning, 89; acclaimed character actor

By Robert Berkvist

With his pugnacious features and imposing bulk, Mr. Durning was a familiar presence in American movies.

Joan Mulhern, 51, lawyer, staunch environmental supporter

By Matt Schudel

Ms. Mulhern, a forceful advocate for the environment who lobbied Congress and often rallied public support to sway lawmakers to her cause, died Dec. 18.

Celtics 93, Nets 76

Celtics shine in Christmas win

By Gary Washburn

With strong contributions from the bench, the Celtics ran away from the Nets in Brooklyn to jump above .500 and into a second-place tie.

Rookie Jared Sullinger comes up big for Celtics

By Shira Springer

The Celtics power forward scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in a breakout performance against the Nets.

Pair of young goalies have BU in right direction

By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell

Boston University first-year goaltenders Sean Maguire and Matt O’Connor have been a splendid combination for the Terriers.

A fresh look at favorite hors d’oeuvres

By Lisa Zwirn

Small plates and nibbles popular in restaurants can be ideal hors d’oeuvres for a New Year’s Eve party.

Recipe for tuna stuffed Peppadews

Recipe for tuna stuffed Peppadews.

Pork meatballs with sweet-and-sour cider glaze

Recipe for pork meatballs with sweet-and-sour cider glaze.