By David Uberti

The political standoff between President Obama and congressional Republicans could result in the loss of thousands of jobs in Mass.

John Kerry embarks on inaugural trip in new job

By Matt Viser and Bryan Bender

In a nine-nation swing through Europe and the Middle East, a volatile international scene will test the new secretary of state.

By Ken Thomas

These state leaders are offering greater cooperation on health care and skipping the tough talk on immigration.

By Anthony Faiola

Vatican officials are investigating Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric for engaging in inappropriate behavior with priests.

Kabul bars US special forces from province

By Matthew Rosenberg

Afghanistan banned US forces from a strategic province, citing complaints that Afghans working for the US have tortured villagers.

Eleven African countries signed a UN-drafted peace deal to stabilize the troubled Central African country of Congo.

Kirsten Greenidge

Storm warmings

By Kirsten Greenidge

In ’78, snowed-in neighbors brought meals and cookies; today, the mood is chillier. Has that sense of community disappeared?

Peter Skerry

By Peter Skerry

Sending illegal immigrants into procedural limbo is not the way to integrate them into American society.

Opinion | Jennifer Graham

Living under the high-def digital spyglass

By Jennifer Graham

Digital home invasion is nothing new, thanks to Zillow.com and Google Earth, but the creepiness of it seems to expand with the resolution of the images.

By Liz Kowalczyk

The operating room is becoming more welcoming to female surgeons, but the experiences of local doctors suggest that full gender equality has not yet arrived.

Committee to vote on school assignment plan

By James Vaznis

A special committee examining changes to how Boston assigns students to schools is expected to vote on its recommendations Monday night.

Tension, then questions, from MIT gunman hoax

By Travis Andersen, Evan Allen and Matt Rocheleau

Students were not notified of the threat for more than an hour Saturday, and MIT officials have yet to explain the reason for the delay.

Leica Biosystems plans R&D expansion in area

By Karen Weintraub

Leica Biosystems, which quietly moved into the Boston area last fall, is gearing up for significant hiring, the company says.

UMass Boston a new resource for health care firms

By Jay Fitzgerald

The university is playing host to the latest entrant in a growing field of entrepreneurs helping others create cutting-edge healthcare businesses.

By Tanzina Vega and Nicole Perlroth

A recent attack on the accounts of Burger King and Jeep underlines the problems facing the fast-growing advertising venue.

William J. Gormley; brigadier general in Mass. National Guard

By J.M. Lawrence

Mr. Gormley, 74, helped run security for the Boston visit of Pope John Paul II in 1979.

By Megan McDonough

Ms. Weaver, 102, was a poultry farmer, socialite, and scholar of Soviet-era education who wrote three books on Russian children.

Mr. Harris, 62, was a former member of The Temptations and sang on hits ­including ‘‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.’’

Bruins 4, Panthers 1

Bruins coast by Panthers, sweep in Florida

By Fluto Shinzawa

After Sunday’s win vs. the Panthers, the Bruins did enough to call their Florida trip a working vacation

Jimmie Johnson gets first Daytona 500 win since ’06

By Michael Vega

Johnson emerged as the convincing winner of a race that was largely devoid of the problems that pockmarked Daytona’s previous four races.

Trail Blazers 92, Celtics 86

Celtics fizzle at finish against Trail Blazers

By Baxter Holmes

Even with all the Celtics’ blunders, they were still in it before falling, 92-86, in Portland.

The 85th Academy Awards

‘Argo’ takes top prize at Academy Awards

By Ty Burr

The film won best picture as well as the awards for best adapted screenplay and editing, marking a stunning career return for actor-director Ben Affleck.

TV review

Host Seth MacFarlane balanced class, crass

By Matthew Gilbert

MacFarlane managed to be both immature and gentlemanly as the host of the Academy Awards, a zany master of voices and a crooner.

Academy Awards

Academy Awards fashions: Pale gowns rule the night

By Christopher Muther

There was no escaping the array of pale tones that dominated early and lingered into the night.