Vice Presidential debate

Biden, Ryan aggressive in debate

Vice President Joe Biden and Representative Paul Ryan squared off on issues ranging from Afghanistan and Iran to jobs and abortion.

Joe Biden and Paul Ryan’s vice presidential debate on Thursday differed sharply from the first presidential debate.

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Joe Biden and Paul Ryan’s vice presidential debate on Thursday differed sharply from the first presidential debate.

Vice President Joe Biden and US Representative Paul Ryan took part in a contentious discussion of foreign policy and domestic issues.

jeff haynes/REUTERS

Biden and Ryan took part in a contentious discussion of foreign policy and domestic issues.

Ryan gestured while making a point during the debate.

rich wilking/reuters

Ryan gestured while making a point during the debate.

Biden reacted as Ryan spoke during the debate.

john gress/REUTERS

Biden reacted as Ryan spoke during the debate.

The debate was characterized by lively exchanges between the political rivals.

AFP/Getty Images

The debate was characterized by lively exchanges between the political rivals.

The debate was seen as critical for both campaigns.

associated press

The debate was seen as critical for both campaigns.

The debate began with a discussion on  foreign policy.

AFP/Getty Images

The debate began with a discussion on foreign policy.

The debate touched on the Sept. 11 attack in Libya and on efforts to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

The early discussion touched on the Sept. 11 attack in Libya and on efforts to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Vice President Joe Biden and US Representative Paul Ryan shook hands at the start of the debate.

Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

Vice President Joe Biden and US Representative Paul Ryan shook hands at the start of the debate.

Moderator Martha Raddatz of ABC News addressed the crowd before the start of the debate.

Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

Moderator Martha Raddatz of ABC News addressed the crowd before the start of the debate.

Supporters rallied in Danville, Ky., site of tonight's vice presidential debate.

eric gay/associated press

Supporters rallied in Danville, Ky., site of tonight's vice presidential debate.

The debate was seen as critical to each  party’s presidential ticket.

Charlie Neibergall/associated press

The debate was seen as critical to each party’s presidential ticket.

Hats were for sale outside the debate site.

Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

Hats were for sale outside the debate site.

A man displayed an anti-Obama sign near the debate site.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A man displayed an anti-Obama sign near the debate site.

News analysis

Vice presidential rivals deliver what their parties hoped for

Joe Biden articulated the Democrats’ critique of Mitt Romney with a passionate, sometimes even pugilistic, style. A poised Paul Ryan fought him closely ­every step of the way.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/10/12/BostonGlobe.com/Politics/Images/514552173-171--90x90.jpg Fact checks and analysis on the debate

The Globe provided fact checks and analysis during Thursday night’s vice presidential debate in Danville, Ky.

Senator Scott Brown greeted his wife, Gail Huff, after returning from his military tour in Afghanistan last year.

For Scott Brown, politics and military entwine

Since being elected to the Senate in 2010, Brown has used his unusual opportunities through the National Guard as fodder for his campaign.

Brian McGrory

‘Served’ in Afghanistan? Scott Brown?

The senator stretched reality to try to put himself on the same plane as thousands of other guardsmen and women in Afghanistan and Iraq. Problem is, he’s not.

Boston girds for prisoners freed because of drug lab scandal

Fearing potential release of hundreds of convicted criminals, officials announced immediate plans to put more specialized police units on the streets.

Ben Cherington says lessons can be learned as the team tries to rebuild for next year.

Red Sox GM lists errors at the top

Ben Cherington said the front office strayed from what led to championships in 2004 and 2007. Now it’s his charge to right the course after a 69-93 season.

Christopher L. Gasper

Questions the next manager should ask the Red Sox

After the Sox fired two managers in the last two seasons, here are some questions we imagine the club will get from managerial candidates.

Metro

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Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley fired off a tweet Thursday.

Cardinal O’Malley set to ramp up twittersphere presence

For the next month, Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley is planning to Tweet regularly to mark the beginning of the Year of Faith: Pope Benedict XVI’s effort to initiate a “new evangelization.”

Business

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John Cafferty of Hingham shopped at Dick’s Sporting Goods in the Hanover Mall on Sunday. The store held its grand opening last weekend, helping boost the mall’s occupancy rate.

Retail vacancies in Mass. at lowest level in five years

Retail vacancies have reached their lowest levels in about five years in Massachusetts as shopping centers fill spaces given up during the economic decline.

Politics

political notebook

Mitt Romney shook hands in Asheville, N.C.

Both parties see gains in voter registration

A push by President Obama’s reelection campaign has resulted in more Democrats than Republicans on the voter rolls in most battleground states. But Republicans have had their own registration successes.

Nation & World

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