Latest news

Sides appear closer to tax deal in fiscal cliff talks

While an agreement on taxes appears to be close, a major hurdle reportedly remains whether to postpone scheduled spending cuts.

Fiscal cliff calculator

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SOURCE: Tax Policy Center | More info

Gabriel Florit / Globe Staff

Sumner Tunnel panels removed

Officials said they have removed 26 panels from the tunnel after they were found to be loose and at risk of falling.

Blaze hits vacant Brockton building

It was unclear whether the fire was related to a series of suspicious fires south of Boston.

The Appleton Tracy pocket watch, serial number 50141, was a rare size 20, rather than the more common size 18.

Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff

Watch collector’s find brings a Lincolnesque journey

After Paul Mellen purchased a pocket watch manufactured in 1862 on eBay, he soon discovered that it may have been at the Abraham Lincoln’s deathbed.

Patriots 28, Dolphins 0 | On football

Patriots defense looks ready for playoffs

The defense has improved since bottoming out Nov. 11 against the Bills, thanks to adherence to Bill Belichick’s season-long game plan.

Christopher L. Gasper

Worth the risk to play Rob Gronkowski

The tight end was less than 100 percent Sunday, but the reward is that he won’t need a can of Rust-Oleum before the playoffs.

Revelers ripe for day of fireworks and ice

First Night festivities are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and culminate with fireworks at midnight over Boston Harbor.

Boston Globe ePaper

Read the ePaper edition

The complete print edition, in its exact layout. Browse the print edition page by page, including stories and ads.

Globe Insiders

Editorial Event | Jan. 19, 2 p.m.

Exclusive Screening of Brooklyn Castle

See the film and participate in a talk with cast members, moderated by Boston Globe movie editor Janice Page.

Globe exclusives

Members of Amazing Royal Crowns, from left: JD Burgess, Jack Hanlon, Jason King Kendall, and Judd Williams.

new year’s eve

Our guide to starting 2013 off right

Defense lawyers want separate trials for former state probation commissioner John J. O’Brien (left) and his codefendant, former Treasury aide Scott S. Campbell.

One trial in lottery job case, judge says

Michelle Kosilek, a convicted murderer, sued for a sex change operation. Her defense team is seeking legal fees.

Challenges to inmates’ gender cases costly to Bay State

G Cover

Practical tips for a healthier 2013

America’s most controversial reality TV star this year was a 7-year-old beauty-pageant contestant from rural Georgia whose real name is Alana Thompson.

Opinion

A 2012 dictionary (abridged)

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones performing at the House of Blues during their Hometown Throwdown on Saturday.

Music Review

Bosstones throw down at House of Blues

Hometown Heroes: the best local albums of 2012

LiquidBits’ Toppal Act 1: Hungry Bird is based on Jenga, a popular block-stacking game.

Game maker puts Hollywood pro’s 3-D skills to work

Volunteers joked with Louisa Millen, who was visiting a food bank run by the Trussell Trust at a church in London.

Britain’s cutbacks a cautionary tale for US

The Dodgers will have the highest payroll in baseball, with talented players such as Matt Kemp.

Sunday Baseball Notes

The best rosters in MLB heading into 2013

Ty Burr’s top 10 movies of 2012

Sky brightens in minutes before dawn at West Quoddy Head Light in Lubec, Maine.

Travel

10 ways to celebrate New Year’s Day

Sports

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NFL’s ‘Black Monday’

Andy Reid lost his final game as Eagles coach 42-7 to the Giants on Sunday.

Andy Reid, Lovie Smith among NFL firings

Reid, the NFL’s longest-tenured coach, joined Smith (Bears), Romeo Crennel (Chiefs), Chan Gailey (Bills), and Pat Shurmur (Browns) on the cut list.

Metro

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Man charged with attempted arson of Hyannis restaurant

The man allegedly tried to torch a Brazilian restaurant and then later threw a brick through its window, police said.

Columnists

Innovation Economy

A heart rate sensor that’s easy to wear

Tech Lab Plus

Meet the scale that talks to your phone

Rob Gronkowski scored a touchdown for the Patriots in the fourth quarter against the Dolphins.

Christopher L. Gasper

Worth the risk to play Rob Gronkowski

President Barack Obama greets Chief Justice John Roberts before delivering his State of the Union Address on Capitol Hill in Washington in 2012.

Joan Vennochi

Bipartisan bright spots, met with derision

Congressman Ed Markey won’t be facing the name power of Ben Affleck—who announced he won’t be running—but he still has the chance to act like a star.

Joanna Weiss

Ed Markey needs to find his inner celebrity

In recent years, Boston has reveled in championships by the Bruins, Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics — but it certainly appears that this widespread “golden era” is over.

Bob Ryan

Boston’s best sports days behind it?

The Super Bowl is exactly 11 years after the Pats won their first title.

Christopher L. Gasper

Patriots tough enough to make it back to Super Bowl

JEFF JACOBY

Kerry’s ‘realist’ approach slips into callousness

INNOVATION ECONOMY

Early adopters could give Boston entrepreneurs a boost

Mayor Menino greets children at the Catholic Charities Teen Center Monday.

Lawrence Harmon

Second career for Menino: Working with kids

Derrick Z. Jackson

Wistful hopes for US offshore wind energy

Opinion | Joan Wickersham

Schoolyard roulette

Nation & World

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Hillary Clinton’s doctors discovered the clot Sunday while performing a follow-up exam, her spokesman, Philippe Reines, said.

Music Review

Tom Rush, with Paul Guzzone on bass, performing on Friday at Symphony Hall.

Tom Rush celebrates 50 years with his friends

The folksinger’s three-hour concert touched upon virtually every phase of his celebrated career.

Latest news

Watch collector’s find brings a Lincolnesque journey

Patriots defense looks ready for playoffs

Worth the risk to play Rob Gronkowski

Revelers ripe for day of fireworks and ice

Read the ePaper edition

Globe exclusives

new year’s eve

Our guide to starting 2013 off right

One trial in lottery job case, judge says

Challenges to inmates’ gender cases costly to Bay State

G Cover

Practical tips for a healthier 2013

Opinion

A 2012 dictionary (abridged)

Music Review

Bosstones throw down at House of Blues

Hometown Heroes: the best local albums of 2012

Game maker puts Hollywood pro’s 3-D skills to work

Britain’s cutbacks a cautionary tale for US

Sunday Baseball Notes

The best rosters in MLB heading into 2013

Ty Burr’s top 10 movies of 2012

Travel

10 ways to celebrate New Year’s Day

NFL’s ‘Black Monday’

Andy Reid, Lovie Smith among NFL firings

Man charged with attempted arson of Hyannis restaurant

Columnists

Innovation Economy

A heart rate sensor that’s easy to wear

Tech Lab Plus

Meet the scale that talks to your phone

Christopher L. Gasper

Worth the risk to play Rob Gronkowski

Joan Vennochi

Bipartisan bright spots, met with derision

Joanna Weiss

Ed Markey needs to find his inner celebrity

Bob Ryan

Boston’s best sports days behind it?

Christopher L. Gasper

Patriots tough enough to make it back to Super Bowl

JEFF JACOBY

Kerry’s ‘realist’ approach slips into callousness

INNOVATION ECONOMY

Early adopters could give Boston entrepreneurs a boost

Lawrence Harmon

Second career for Menino: Working with kids

Derrick Z. Jackson

Wistful hopes for US offshore wind energy

Opinion | Joan Wickersham

Schoolyard roulette

Nation & World

Hillary Clinton in NY hospital with blood clot

GOP governors walk fine line on health care law

New flexible sensors on skin yield crucial data

Music Review

Tom Rush celebrates 50 years with his friends

Daily Dose

The FDA approves several new drugs

Bostonians of the Year: Raisman and Harrison

Best of the New: Diversions

The drug lab scandal: Who’s cleaning it up?

5 inspired rooms