Doc Rivers ready for return to Boston

While the exit may have been surprising to some, Doc Rivers is hoping for a ceremonious welcome back from the Garden faithful.

Rich Pedroncelli/AP

“I’m looking forward to coming back,” Rivers said of what he expects will be an emotional night when his Clippers play the Celtics.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told the House Energy and Commerce on Wednesday that the signup trend is turning positive.

Health care signups increased in November

More than 364,000 people signed up for private coverage as of Nov. 30, more than three times the October total, new numbers show.

The staff at the Department of Player Safety watches every single NHL game, with some plays needing further review.

Inside the NHL’s process for player discipline

The office that will soon decide the fate of the Bruins’ Shawn Thornton wants to be about more than suspensions, but also about changing behavior.

JEFF JACOBY

Faked hate? Lunenburg not the exception

Anyone seeking genuinely racist or misogynistic hate crimes in America today is likely to be disappointed.

Edwin Alemany entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment at Suffolk Superior Court on Wednesday.

Alemany pleads not guilty in Amy Lord’s murder

Edwin Alemany went drinking with friends after he allegedly kidnapped and murdered the 24-year-old South Boston woman, prosecutors said.

Music doesn’t make you smarter, Harvard study finds

Contrary to popular belief, a study — led by a Harvard graduate student who plays several instruments — found no cognitive benefits to music lessons.

People walked on debris of damaged buildings at a site hit by what activists say was shelling by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad in  Damascus on Wednesday.

US halts aid to Syria’s opposition

The move comes amid reports that an Islamic extremist group seized assets from mainstream, Western-backed rebels.

Laser therapy may boost vaccine potency

A therapy using lasers that was first developed in Russia has shown promise in strengthening vaccines.

Gayle M. Johnson

Victim killed by MBTA bus recalled as ‘sweet woman'

The 52-year-old woman was hit and dragged by a bus Tuesday that she took home from her job in a bank mailroom.

Opinion

LAWRENCE HARMON

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/12/11/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/harmon-1456.jpg Getting the job done

With Quincy’s $1.6 billion redevelopment at risk, building trade unions must step up.

Sports

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While the exit may have been surprising to some, Doc Rivers is hoping for a ceremonious welcome back from the Garden faithful.

Doc Rivers ready for return to Boston

“I’m looking forward to coming back,” Rivers said of what he expects will be an emotional night when his Clippers play the Celtics.

Nation & World

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Time Magazine said the pope has changed the perception of the Roman Catholic church in an extraordinary way in a short time.

Time names Pope Francis as Person of the Year

The magazine said the pope has changed the perception of the Roman Catholic church in an extraordinary way in a short time.