Before jet was lost, request to change path was denied

Officials on Monday saw little reason to believe the AirAsia flight met anything but a grim fate.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/29/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/blackstone150-7446.jpg Blackstone mother ordered held without bail

Erika Murray is accused of murdering two infants whose remains were found in her squalid home.

The Vox apartment complex at 223 Concord Turnpike is among those recently built in West Cambridge. With more land available than in other sections of the city, West Cambridge has drawn immense interest from major real estate investor.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Alewife building boom spurs worry among residents

Many contend Cambridge did not anticipate how bad things would become when it allowed so much building in the area.

Two killed, one injured in fiery crash in Wrentham

A vehicle slammed into a guardrail and burst into flames on I-495 just after midnight Monday, police said.

Industry, doctors, patients lobby against opiate laws

The industry is working to protect its US market for painkillers, which reached $8.3 billion in 2013.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/29/BostonGlobe.com/Foreign/Images/89cf786a7a3c466ebf538ea408b267a5-89cf786a7a3c466ebf538ea408b267a5-0-822.jpg Death toll from Greek ferry fire now at 7

Over four hundred people were rescued from the ferry, and seven bodies were removed, according to officials.

Aafia Siddiqui arrived in Boston as a biology major at MIT and she left as an active jihadi. Her journey took 11 years.

Woman?s journey offers insight into radicalization

Aafia Siddiqui arrived in Boston as a biology major at MIT and left as an active jihadi. Her journey took 11 years.

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan listens to a questions during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Jets won 37-24. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Jets fire coach Rex Ryan, GM John Idzik

Rex Ryan spent six years as the Jets? coach and had a losing record despite two AFC title game appearances.

On Football | Bills 17, Patriots 9

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/29/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/042a8ccb3899494b991fb43854b19fff-042a8ccb3899494b991fb43854b19fff-0.jpg Patriots win, despite what scoreboard says

Only two things mattered Sunday: staying healthy and getting the backups some much-needed work.

derrick z. jackson

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/27/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/Derrick_Z_Jackson_150px-1149.jpg ?Broken windows,? broken policy

The theory that targeting low-level crimes will reduce major ones has led to the deaths of unarmed blacks by police.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/29/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/skylar150-7512.jpg Video blogger shares his transgender journey

A pioneer in the transgender movement, Acton native Skylar Kergil reached out across the globe via YouTube.

Evan Horowitz

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/29/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/horowitz-7431.jpg Economy finally started to improve in 2014

The economy is expanding, the job market is tightening, and wages in Massachusetts are growing again.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/22/BostonGlobe.com/Lifestyle/Images/Dungeons_01.jpg Dungeons & Dragons strikes back

After a period of decline, the iconic game shows signs of revival thanks to an update and a greater diversity of players.

Jeffrey Bickoff faces motor vehicle homicide charges in the death of Haley Cremer (pictured).

Clock ticking on bill targeting license suspension

A bill sparked by a Sharon woman?s death may stall before the end of the legislative session.

Opinion

editorial | service not included

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/27/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/1229restaurant200-1145.jpg Diners should demand high quality for workers

Americans have started asking questions about every aspect of a restaurant?s operations ? except for how employees are treated.

The Big Picture

Stefan Postles/Getty Images

Seasonal lights

Around the world, nights look brighter this time of year and illuminations of all kinds help celebrate holidays or festivities.