Obama argues for attack but says he will pursue deal

President Obama, in a nationally televised speech, cited “encouraging signs” for resolving the Syria crisis.

EVAN VUCCI/REUTERS/POOL

President Obama, in a nationally televised speech, expressed hope that he could find a diplomatic solution to eliminating Syria’s chemical stockpile.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/09/11/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/syria150-2495.jpg Proposal for Syria’s chemical weapons long in making

Secretary of State John Kerry’s ultimatum this week reflected deeper discussions with Russia that took place over the past year.

editorial

Suddenly, an opening that could achieve key goals

If Russia’s offer to help secure Syria’s forbidden weapons is sincere, it would accomplish US goals far more effectively than a military strike.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/09/11/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/syria150-2498.jpg Disposal of Syria’s toxic weapons daunting

The task of securing Syria’s chemical weapons would present a host of obstacles, according to US and international specialists.

Joseph Ligotti, left, and Robert Jubinville have had many dealings.

A court job offer brings a state veto

A clerk magistrate’s offer to hire his friend’s daughter is becoming a test for the Mass. court system, which is still recovering from the Probation Department hiring scandal.

Mayoral candidate Robert Consalvo keeps the focus on people and the things that concern them.

MAYORAL RACE: THE CANDIDATES

Urban details leap out at Robert Consalvo

Consalvo says if he is elected mayor, he will embrace the “urban mechanic” ethos that has defined Mayor Thomas Menino’s tenure.

Shirley Leung

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/09/11/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/leung-6201.jpg Can Marty Walsh be tough on unions?

If there’s one mayoral candidate the Boston business community is most wary of, it’s Walsh.

Governor Patrick calls for ending new tech tax

The governor abruptly changed course and said he no longer supports a controversial new tax on computer software services.

Wednesday’s commemorations take on a new dimension for those such as Peter Guza of North Andover, who lost his father in the 2001 World Trade Center attacks and was running in this year’s Boston Marathon when the bombs went off.

Marathon bombings change memorials for 9/11

The pain evoked by the bombings has added a new depth of grief to the commemorations of the Sept. 11 attacks in Boston.

Opinion

JEFF JACOBY

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/09/11/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/jacoby-2255.jpg The handshake delusion

Twenty years after the Oslo Peace Accord, the myth drags on that peace can come to the Mideast that easily.