exclusive sunday preview | ideas

A computer that thinks like the universe

john hersey for the boston globe

The technology that might change not just computing, but what we know about the world.

BRING THE FAMILY

Occupying Boston with the kids

A Globe reporter took his 11-year-old daughter to Dewey Square so she could see for herself what the movement is about.

exclusive sunday preview | MOVIES

Chloë’s excellent adventures

Chloe Grace Moretz, the young star of Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo,” approached the role like everything else — with disarming confidence.

http://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2011/11/25/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/26filenes_3.jpg Customers swarm malls, stores for Black Friday

A number of local malls reported brisk business today as retailers hoped to entice customers with deep discounts and earlier-than-usual Black Friday sales.

Pressure mounts on Egypt’s military

The military’s appointment of a Mubarak-era politician as prime minister was rejected by the more than 100,000 protesters who jammed Tahrir Square today.

BDetroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk scored first in the overtime shootout against the Bruins.

Red Wings 3, Bruins 2

Red Wings break Bruins win streak

Boston’s 10-game win streak came to an end at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings today in an overtime shootout loss.

bc 24, miami 17

Eagles close out season with win

Boston College wrapped up its football season today with a 24-17 victory over Miami at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida.

Metro

Tags in this section:

Charities struggle to meet demand as donations fall

Massachusetts charities are focused on finding creative new ways to collect donations while grappling with a still-steady stream of families who suddenly need help.

Politics

“We shouldn’t do to any other country or any other people what we don’t want anybody to do to us,” Ron Paul said.

Paul goes against Republican grain on foreign policy

While most of the Republican candidates are open to military action against Iran, Ron Paul advocates diplomacy. He wants to slash the defense budget and opposes extending the Patriot Act.

Nation & World

Tags in this section:

Syrian regime supporters waved their national flag as they took part in a pro-government protest in Damascus today.

Tension increases as Syria misses observer deadline

Damascus faced the possibility of sweeping economic sanctions from the Arab League after missing a deadline today to allow hundreds of observers into the country.

Sports

Tags in this section:

Thanksgiving high school notebook

Injured Billerica quarterback Nick LaSpada (7) joined fellow captains for the coin toss before the game against Chelmsford.

Special moments dotted the Thanksgiving gridiron

Among the holiday highlights: Billerica QB Nick LaSpada, sidelined with heart and lung issues the last three weeks, led his team in warm-ups.

Movies

Tags in this section:

Movie Review

M’Barka Ben Taleb

Singing with ‘Passione’

Actor-director John Turturro offers a visual and musical love letter to Naples.

Arts

Tags in this section:

PHOTOGRAPHY REVIEW

Going ‘Solo,’ plus one

Rocker Patti Smith shuns images of fame for simplicity in “Patti Smith: Camera Solo,” at the Wadsworth Atheneum.

Special reports

Special Section

Director Caitlin Lowans (center, in black) directs a theatrical adaptation of “The Nutcracker” at the Stoneham Theater.

Holiday Arts Preview

Our critics give their top picks for what to see and experience this holiday season in the worlds of theater, dance, movies, DVDs, classical music, and pop music. This is your guide to holiday season entertainment.