Obama to hasten Afghan transfer

By Matt Viser and Bryan Bender

President Obama said US troops would hand over security to Afghan forces sooner than previously announced and he placed new hope in a settlement with the Taliban.

By Michael Cooper

As Washington focuses on what Vice President Joe Biden will propose next week to curb gun violence, gun and ammunition sales are spiking in the rest of the country.

By DAN FROSCH and EMMA G. FITZSIMMONS

The judge hearing the case against James E. Holmes agreed Friday to postpone his arraignment for two months at the defense’s request.

By Tom Hays

Officials say so far it appears that the testing in the majority of the cases was valid. But in one instance, the review uncovered evidence that resulted in an indictment.

By Adam Nossiter

The international standoff with Islamists controlling northern Mali took a decisive turn Friday, as French forces engaged in an intense battle to beat back an aggressive militant push into the center of the country.

By Sameer N. Yacoub

A dozen prisoners including al-Qaida-linked death row inmates escaped from a prison near Baghdad, the latest sign that Iraq still struggles with basic law and order.

LAWRENCE HARMON

Cultural institutions need to pay up

By Lawrence Harmon

Boston’s leading arts and cultural institutions elevate spirits, but they lack appreciation for the high cost of providing police, fire, and road services to their patrons and employees.

Editorial

Absent compelling arguments that consolidation will reduce the quality of housing stock or displace tenants, the proposal to consolidate housing authorities deserves passage.

NEAL GABLER

Hard facts vs. big truths

By Neal Gabler

Just about everyone accepts that artists can exercise certain liberties when they deal with history. But do they have an obligation to be truthful?

State’s gaming table is just about set

By Mark Arsenault

As the state’s fledgling gambling ­industry approaches its first major milestone Tuesday, it is possible that each casino license will have at least two bidders.

For 47 seasons, Patriots fan has been on the scene

By David Filipov

Charles Underhill, 73, has been a season ticket holder since 1966 and says he has only missed one regular-season home game.

First baseball card ever to be auctioned

By Billy Baker

A photo of the 1865 Brooklyn Atlantics amateur club, found at a yard sale in Maine, could net upwards of $100,000 at an auction.

Twinkie clones filling a need for sweets fans

By Sarah Shemkus

Market Basket has been filling the Hostess void with private-label versions of iconic snack cakes.

FAA orders Dreamliner review

The Federal Aviation Administration will review the design and manufacture of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner after a series of problems this week.

By Chris Reidy

Shift supervisors at local Starbucks cafes are demanding a pay raise after a recent Massachusetts court decision banned them from sharing in baristas’ tips.

Mary Cronin, 86, traveler was hard to keep up with

By Bryan Marquard

Mrs. Cronin accomplished her goal of setting foot on all seven continents in retirement.

Ada Louise Huxtable, pioneer of architectural criticism

By David W. Dunlap

Ms. Huxtable, 91, pioneered modern architectural criticism in the pages of The New York Times.

Jeffrey O’Connell, advocate for no-fault auto insurance

By Douglas Martin

Mr. O’Connell, 84, was a legal scholar who helped devise the model for no-fault auto insur­ance to protect traffic accident victims, insurance rates, and stifle ambulance-chasing lawyers.

Celtics 103, Rockets 91

Celtics stifle Rockets for fifth straight win

By Gary Washburn

Jared Sullinger had 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, and the Celtics’ starters had enough energy to withstand a furious fourth-quarter run.

Texans at Patriots | Sunday, 4:30

Texans’ hopes largely rest on Arian Foster

By John Powers

One of the NFL’s most impressive running backs, Foster is the key cog that Houston must engage if it is to upset the Patriots.

Jackie Bradley could become central figure for Red Sox

By Peter Abraham

Minor league standout Jackie Bradley could be the team’s next center fielder if Jacoby Ellsbury hits the free agent market.

G Cover

Ten great places to learn to ski

By Eric Wilbur

January is “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.” These 10 New England spots each have their own philosophy and teaching method.

From the Archives

From Globe archives: The Great Molasses Flood of 1919

The infamous molasses flood in Boston was a tragedy like no other. On January 15, 1919, a giant tank in the North End collapsed, sending a wave of an estimated 2.3 million gallons of molasses through the streets of Boston. The devastation the sticky liquid left was shocking. Twenty-one people were killed and 150 injured in its path of destruction.

Book Review

‘The Big Truck That Went By’ by Jonathan M. Katz

By Dennis Rosen

Part memoir, part reportage, Katz details his experience in Haiti in “The Big Truck That Went By: How the World Came to Save Haiti and Left a Disaster Behind.’’