Families in Bulger case lose appeal

Families of two alleged victims of James “Whitey” Bulger were dealt a crushing blow when a federal appeals court rebuffed their appeal to reclaim nearly $8.5 million award from the federal government.

http://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2011/10/07/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Advance/Images/mp05redsox1--90x90.jpg John Henry doesn’t squash Theo Epstein rumors

The Red Sox owner failed to clarify the ambiguity of the general manager’s status, but acknowledged there is a “shelf life” to the jobs of GM and manager.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will reportedly pledge to have a muscular foreign policy in a campaign speech today.

Romney takes aim at Obama’s foreign policy

In a major speech at The Citadel today, Mitt Romney is accusing President Obama of weakening the military and damaging US standing around the world.

US job gains in September better than expected

Although the jobless rate remained at 9.1%, the 103,000 jobs added in September beat analysts’ expectations.

Kayana Szymczak for The Boston Globe

Jamaica Plain teacher cited in Obama’s job speech

Robert Baroz has found himself plucked from obscurity and inserted in the middle of the fierce debate in Washington over President Obama’s jobs bill.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf at a plenary session on empowering girls and women during the Clinton Global Initiative in New York.

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Harvard-trained economist

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first democratically elected female president, and two others were honored for their work on women’s rights.

Exclusive Saturday Preview | Television review

‘Breaking Bad’ ends a pitch-perfect fourth season

The drama, which remains on of TV’s most enthralling series, is slow and deliberate. At times, you almost feel as if you’re in the room with these people, in a heightened real time.

‘‘We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society.’’

The Nobel Prize Committee 

Metro

Tags in this section:

Quips by Brown, Warren turn into darts

Both sides are expecting an expensive and potentially nasty fight. But US Senator Scott Brown’s recent remarks may have trained the spotlight on gender early in the election cycle.

Business

Tags in this section:

Jobs set course forward for music, movies, books

Steve Jobs made it easy for people to entertain themselves on high-tech devices, and he unveiled gadget after gadget with an effortless touch.

Nation

Tags in this section:

Giffords visits D.C. for husband’s retirement

Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords was back among friends and colleagues yesterday at a Navy retirement ceremony for her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly.

World

Dimmer outlook as Afghan war marks 10th year

US officials, who are facing a future of fewer troops and less money for reconstruction, are narrowing their goals for the country.

Sports

Tags in this section:

Tigers 3, Yankees 2

Jose Valverde, center, celebrates with teammates, including Andy Dirks, right, after the Tigers beat the New York Yankees 3-2 in to win baseball's American League division series.

Tigers bounce Yankees to reach ALCS

Alex Rodriguez struck out swinging on a pitch from Jose Valverde as the Tigers closed out a series win to earn the right to play the Rangers.

Movies

Tags in this section:

Movie Review

‘Margaret,’ a perfectionist’s portrait of imperfection

What emerges from the tinkering and legal skirmishes is an occasional marvel, a kind of everyday highbrow social X-ray, Paul Mazursky by way of Krzysztof Kieslowski.

Ideas

“To become a citizen of a nation is a choice that involves more sacrifice and pain than tearing down the sculpture of a dictator.”

Gal Beckerman,   on the challenges facing some Middle Eastern countries