By Bryan Bender

The lack of spending cuts will place enormous pressure on entitlement programs and the new heath insurance plan.

Stalled Sandy aid infuriates Northeastern Republicans

By Raymond Hernandez

Elected officials from the New York area erupted with outrage after the House refused to take up a federal aid package.

Hillary Clinton released from hospital, expected to recover

By Josh Lederman

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was released three days after a blood clot was discovered in her head.

By Anne Barnard

An explosion turned a long line of cars waiting for rarely available fuel into a deadly inferno that killed at least 30 people sitting in their cars or on motorcycles.

By MOHAMMED BALLAS

Israeli military ordered dozens of Palestinian Bedouins to leave their communities so it could conduct exercises in a remote area of the West Bank.

A 7-year-old girl died Wednesday after being hit in the head by a stray bullet during New Year’s Eve revelry in the Philippines.

JULIETTE KAYYEM

A storm of a fight

By Juliette Kayyem

The delay in providing Congressional aid to victims of Hurricane Sandy also delays an upgrade to the federal relief system.

Joan Vennochi

Democrats for democracy? Not in Mass.

By Joan Vennochi

Democrats want to clear a path for Edward Markey in his bid to replace John Kerry in the Senate, although a primary battle could be good for the party and their nominee.

editorial

The Zipcar revolution

Zipcar’s expansion from a Cambridge startup into a global brand has helped fuel a revival of urban living.

Brown swipes at Markey’s residency

By Noah Bierman and Frank Phillips

Scott Brown questioned whether potential Senate campaign rival Edward Markey is a bona fide Massachusetts resident.

Antiquated state laws stir modern-day worry

By Andrew Carden and Kristen Lee

Obscure Massachusetts laws, and the fact they’re still on the books, often provoke humor. But to some, outmoded statutes are no laughing matter.

War reporter kidnapped a second time

By Peter Schworm

James Foley, a Boston-based foreign correspondent abducted in Libya in 2011, was kidnapped in Syria on Thanksgiving Day, his family said.

By Megan Woolhouse and Todd Wallack

Universities, hospitals, and defense contractors are delaying hiring and expansion because Congress postponed spending decisions.

Tech Lab

After hype, some digital devices flopped

By Hiawatha Bray

Smart televisions, 3-D TVs, video calling, and Ultrabooks promised to be “world-changing” products, but didn’t change a thing.

Expiring payroll tax cut to hit everyone’s paycheck

By Beth Healy

Workers will see a small increase as a result of the tax package passed by Congress — about $822 a year for taxpayers earning between $50,000 and $75,000.

Werner Gans, businessman; cellist fled from Holocaust

By Michele Richinick

Mr. Gans, 89, played with the Newton Symphony Orchestra and was a cellist for 22 years with the Boston Civic Symphony.

Patti Page, 85, singer of ‘Tennessee Waltz,’ ‘Old Cape Cod’

By Anita Gates

Ms. Page’s hits like ‘‘Tennessee Waltz,’’ “Old Cape Cod,’’ and ‘‘How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?’’ made her one of the most successful pop singers of the 1950s.

Carl Woese, 84; biophysicist who discovered life’s ‘third domain’

By William Yardley

Dr. Woese’s discovery 35 years ago of a “third domain” of life in the vast realm of microorganisms altered scientific understanding of evolution.

Grizzlies 93, Celtics 83

Celtics lose fourth straight

By Gary Washburn

After three listless quarters and a handful of chances to pull off a dramatic rally, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and the Celtics lost to the Grizzlies, 93-83.

Dan Shaughnessy

Celtics need to make a bold move

By Dan Shaughnessy

They don’t play defense, lack toughness, and are lost when Kevin Garnett isn’t on the court. Danny Ainge needs to do something big to shake up this team.

Patriots fondly remember equipment man Don Brocher

By Shalise Manza Young

Brocher, who was with the Patriots for all seven of their Super Bowls (three wins), lost a six-month battle with leukemia on New Year’s Day.

How Richard Emmanuel became reverend of a church with a mission but no members

By Joseph P. Kahn

Gloucester’s Richard Emmanuel may lose his 44-year old alternative church to the bank, but his spirit and sense of humor remain intact.

Who will make Michelle Obama’s Inaugural gown?

By Christopher Muther

A look at some strong contenders.

Movie Review

‘Bestiaire’ captures behavior: beastly, otherwise

By Wesley Morris

In this documentary, the fine Canadian filmmaker Denis Côté views animals at a Quebec safari attraction.

‘This Old House’ puts finishing touches on Essex cottage

By Joel Brown

“This Old House” has worked its magic on an Essex cottage for episodes to air on PBS stations beginning this month.

Salem painting contractor gets her moment in spotlight

By Joel Brown

A&E’s “Flipping Boston” recently shot episodes on the renovations of a condo in Lynn and a pizzeria in Danvers, which were both painted by Salem-based BLC Painting LLC.

Woburn

By John Laidler

Though turned down in a recent bid for a $5 million state grant for a new downtown parking facility, Woburn officials are not abandoning their effort to complete the project.

Yoga: A mind and body resolution for the new year

By Jennette Barnes

The stretching and breathing of yoga go easy on the spirit while challenging the body as much or as little as is needed.

Yogo demographics: Some interesting data.

Holbrook

By Christine Legere

Town leaders are looking into an expanded senior center to replace the current one, but the facility would be located at one of Holbrook’s busiest intersections.

Area employers adapt to a new generation

By Calvin Hennick

As the oldest members of the Millennial Generation are entering their 30s and becoming a force in the workplace, employers say they are adapting.

Millennials will make up 40.5 of the US work force by 2020.

By Lisa Kocian

The New England Wild Flower Society is embarking on an ambitious revitalization project at the Garden in the Woods botanical garden.