Businesses call federal marriage act unfair
Nearly 300 companies are asking the US Supreme Court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, saying it forces them to discriminate against married gay employees.
Jacquelyn Martin/Reuters
Statecraft is the latest bond for Kerry and Thorne
Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Rome is a chance for him to see David Thorne, a longtime friend and US ambassador to Italy.
Pope says farewell in St. Peter’s Square
Pope Benedict XVI bestowed his valedictory words to the world in a heartfelt, sometimes wistful address that highlighted the price of being a pope — and its rays of happiness.
Darren McCollester/Getty Images
Longfellow Bridge repairs, disruption to start in summer
The $255 million project will lead to three years of disruptions, including suspending Red Line service for 25 weekends and eliminating northbound traffic.
Sequestration? Few can explain latest budget crisis
Sequestration is the latest down-to-the-wire, fasten-your-seat-belts federal financial precipice that has left many Americans scratching their heads.
Markey says abortion shift was personal
US Representative Edward J. Markey said he was never making a political calculation when he became a supporter of abortion rights decades ago.
Inquiry widens into Swartz prosecution
A congressional committee is broadening its investigation of the Boston-based prosecution of political activist Aaron Swartz.
Globe exclusives
Sports
Mike Napoli to start in field for Red Sox Friday
The free agent acquisition has been brought along slowly after being diagnosed with a degenerative hip condition.
Metro
Vermont woman burned with lye gets face transplant
A team of 30 Brigham and Women’s Hospital surgeons performed a complex face transplant on a woman whose immune system had been altered by many blood transfusions.
Columnists
Nation & World
Tycoon shoots for stars with Mars plan
A tycoon announced plans to send a middle-aged couple on a privately built spaceship to slingshot around the red planet and come back home.
Politics
Not saying he’ll run, Menino banters about the campaign
“Let’s have a nice, good campaign,” Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, a 20-year incumbent, said he told 39-year-old Councilor John R. Connolly about the upcoming race.
Business
PayPal setting up shop in Boston
Internet commerce company, owned by eBay Inc., has moved into a 65,000-square-foot office that spans two floors in 1 International Place.
Arts
Stage Review
‘Middletown’ a rewarding destination
In the Actors’ Shakespeare Project production now up at the Cambridge YMCA, the town is a tough but rewarding destination.
Style
Bargain Bin
Walk in for the shoe drive at Allen Edmonds
Ami Albernaz runs down sales and specials at area stores and shops, including an Allen Edmonds’ shoe drive for Soles4Souls.
68 Blocks