Globally bound, John Kerry first retraces, recalls roots

By Matt Viser

As he heads for the world stage as secretary of state, John Kerry reflected on his start in Massachusetts politics in an exclusive interview with the Globe.

Hagel grilled during confirmation hearing

By Ernesto Londoño

Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama’s nominee as defense secretary, confronted withering criticism during a marathon confirmation hearing Thursday.

By HOLBROOK MOHR

The Coast Guard is permitting restricted commercial vessel traffic on the Mississippi River near Vicksburg, Miss., as crews work to remove oil from a leaking barge, a Guard spokesman said Thursday. A 16-mile stretch of the river was closed Sunday after two oil barges hit a railroad bridge and one of them started leaking light crude.

By Alan Cowell

Iran plans to install more sophisticated equipment at its nuclear enrichment plant, in a move likely to worry the US, Israel, and the West.

New bells en route for Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral

By JEFFREY SCHAEFFER

Nine enormous bronze bells have made their way from a Normandy foundry to Notre Dame Cathedral.

By Vladimir Isachenkov

The southern Russian city where the Red Army decisively turned back Nazi forces in a key World War II battle will once again be known as Stalingrad, at least on the days commemorating the victory, the regional legislature declared Thursday.

CARLO ROTELLA

Off the grid in Boston

By Carlo Rotella

If you live in the Boston area and you’re not from around here, you receive reminders of your non-belonging, but that doesn’t mean that Boston isn’t shaping you.

SCOT LEHIGH

The search for a big senator

By Scot Lehigh

Mass. typically has big, nationally known and respected senators. Let’s look at the possible field through the prism of real or potential stature.

Dan Connell

By Dan Connell

Protesters in one of Afria’s most repressive nations are calling for a constitutional framework for a transition to democracy.

By Frank Phillips and Michael Levenson

Washington Republicans have begun a “full court press’’ to persuade the increasingly reluctant Brown to run for John Kerry’s seat.

Kevin Cullen

The virtues of inexperience

By Kevin Cullen

Saying Mo ­Cowan shouldn’t keep John Kerry’s seat warm in the US Senate because he lacks experience is a bit much.

Red Sox season-ticket renewals down 10%

By Nick Cafardo

Could the sellout streak be in jeopardy? The renewal lapse is seen as a sign that even hardcore fans are cooling in their enthusiasm after a joyless 2012 season.

Super Bowl a high-stakes game for ad makers

By Callum Borchers

Spots cost $3.8 million for 30 seconds and rival the game itself, ratcheting up pressure on agencies to make clients happy.

Boston’s downtown condo market soared in 2012

By Jenifer B. McKim

Sales rose 28.9 percent last year over 2011, while the median price increased 5.69 percent.

Robo-signing firm agrees to pay $1.6 million to Mass.

By Jenifer B. McKim

The settlement will resolve allegations a foreclosure processing company engaged in “robo-signing.” Attorney General Martha Coakley said.

Mary Ruth Ray, cofounder of the Lydian String Quartet

By Jeremy Eichler

Ms. Ray, 56, was the founding violist of the Lydian String Quartet and as a key member of the ensemble at ­Emmanuel Music, was one of Boston’s most dependable ­inner voices.

Max Kampelman, 92; led arms negotiations with USSR

By William Yardley

Dr. Kampelman was a US diplomat enlisted by Democratic and Republican presidents to negotiate Cold War treaties with the Soviet Union on nuclear weapons and human rights.

Butch Morris, 65; created eccentric ensemble music

By Ben Ratliff

Mr. Morris created a distinctive form of large-ensemble music built on collective improvisation that he single-handedly directed and shaped.

Sabres 7, Bruins 4

Sabres outmuscle Bruins

By Fluto Shinzawa

The Bruins committed a series of uncharacteristic defensive miscues as the Sabres humbled them for the first time this season.

Dan Shaughnessy

Super Bowl a part of New Orleans recovery

By Dan Shaughnessy

The NFL’s showcase event is back in New Orleans for the first time since the Patriots’ win in 2002, and much was changed by Hurricane Katrina.

Christopher L. Gasper

Sorry Patriots fans, the Ravens will win

By Christopher L. Gasper

As Christopher L. Gasper spins the dial on his iThink, he says the Ravens are poised to claim the NFL championship on Sunday.

BSO cellists break out with new quartet, fresh approach

By Geoff Edgers

The Boston Cello Quartet, all members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is celebrating the release of its first CD, “Pictures,” with a sold-out performance at the Revere Hotel.

Book Review

‘Remembering Whitney’ by Cissy Houston

By Sarah Rodman

In the emotionally tangled book, the elder Houston is a fiercely protective mama bear to the memory of her damaged cub.

theater

Cherry Jones looks homeward to play a Williams heroine

By Patti Hartigan

Paris, Tenn. native Cherry Jones plays Amanda Wingfield in the American Reperatory Theater production of Tennessee Williams’s “The Glass Menagerie.”