Obama taps Kerry as secretary of state in 2d term

President Obama nominated US Senator John Forbes Kerry of Mass. as the next secretary of state on Friday.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/22/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/AFGHAN_SENATE--90x90.jpg A post John Kerry’s life has prepared him to tackle

A 2005 tour of the Middle East cemented Kerry’s international profile, a welcomed respite amid the dark days following his failed presidential bid.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/22/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/voters150-3411--90x90.jpg Mass. braces for third Senate race in four years

US Senator John F. Kerry’s nomination as Secretary of State will trigger another special Senate election, with ­another contest to follow in 2014.

Scramble underway for John Kerry’s Senate seat

Democrats are scrutinizing a field with as many as three congressmen, two Kennedys, a state senator, and a federal prosecutor to contend with Scott Brown.

Tom Keane

A guide to last-minute gifts, Mass. style

Know anyone who would appreciate a Warren-and-Brown-themed Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots or a Deval Patrick Magic 8-Ball?

Joe Muxie teared up during a moment of silence at the Garden of Peace in Boston on the one-week anniversary of the shootings in Connecticut.

BILL GREENE/GLOBE STAFF

Moment of silence for Newtown’s victims

One week after the Connecticut attack, a mournful nation observed a moment of silence in memory of the 20 children and six adults killed.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/21/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/516122807.jpg NRA response to shootings: Armed officer in every school

The group’s top lobbyist slammed violent video games and movies, and said that “the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.’’

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/21/BostonGlobe.com/Foreign/Images/03515878.jpg Mass. officials wary of NRA call for armed guards at all schools

“There is an outpouring of voices demanding real change to make our communities safer; clearly, the NRA’s leadership is not one of them,” Mayor Menino said.

Some letters extend beyond the material world.

Postal Service shares a century of letters to Santa

This year marked the 100th anniversary of the official start of the Letters to Santa program, which seeks to match the neediest writers with benefactors.

A story slam at Rosebud Bar and Grill in Somerville, hosted by a group called Massmouth.

Story slams growing in popularity

Storytelling events are growing in popularity across the country, thanks in part to New York nonprofit The Moth and its radio reach.

Sports

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Bucks 99, Celtics 94

Paul Pierce followed his 40-point game Wednesday with 35-pointer Friday. But his teammates struggled in the 99-94 loss to the Bucks.

Celtics tumble in overtime

Paul Pierce followed his 40-point game Wednesday with 35-pointer Friday. But his teammates struggled in the 99-94 loss to the Bucks.

Nation & World

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President Obama said he hopes a break will help, while John Boehner said he is not worried about losing his speakership.

Hope for deal on taxes fades at break time

Republicans and Democrats traded barbs and laid the groundwork to blame their opponents in the increasingly likely event Washington takes the nation off the fiscal cliff on Jan. 1.

Business

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