New analysis could bring clarity to Syria sarin attack

The authors of the study said their findings could help pinpoint accountability for the most lethal chemical warfare attack in decades.

Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to leave on New Year’s Day for Israel and the Palestinian territories.

John Kerry to continue talks on Mideast peace deal

The secretary of state is scheduled to leave on New Year’s Day for Israel and the Palestinian territories.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/12/28/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/820be66455304dcb8e2cecb578e22434-d48855e6facd401aa93177dde6ce440f-0.jpg Unemployment benefits ending for 1 million

The end to the five-year program that extended benefits for the long-term jobless is affecting 1.3 million people immediately.

Bobby Ryan scored the game-winning goal.

Senators 4, Bruins 3

Senators’ surge sends Bruins packing

The Bruins were without three of their top four defensemen and couldn’t rack up a consecutive win against the Senators.

Barbara Furtuna, one of the best-known singing groups of Corsica. From left,  Jean-Philippe Guissani, André Dominici, Maxime Merlandi, and Jean-Pierre Marchetti.

Barbara Furtuna, one of the best-known singing groups of Corsica. From left, Jean-Philippe Guissani, André Dominici, Maxime Merlandi, and Jean-Pierre Marchetti.

Corsica sits in the Mediterranean Sea 100 miles southeast of Nice.

Corsica lies in the Mediterranean Sea 100 miles southeast of Nice.

The island is known by tourists and locals alike as l’île de beauté.

The island is known by tourists and locals alike as l’île de beauté.

the port of Girolata Osani, in the natural reserve of Scandola.

Pascal Pochard Casabianca/Agence France-Presse

The port of Girolata Osani, in the natural reserve of Scandola.

A view of the village of Piana.

PASCAL POCHARD CASABIANCA/AFP/Getty Images

A view of the village of Piana.

The natural reserve of Scandola on the island. Corsica has been part of France since 1769.

The natural reserve of Scandola on the island. Corsica has been part of France since 1769.

On France’s island of Corsica, chanting is a wild tradition

The unbridled emotion of Corsican singing is best heard directly from the source, on the Mediterranean island 100 miles southeast of Nice.

2013 saw Miley Cyrus catching everyone’s attention with her twerking and Beyoncé (pictured) catching everyone by surprise with the release of an album and videos on iTunes.

pop music

In pop music, a year of the woman

Men may have had the biggest sales, but from Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus to Neko Case and Janelle Monáe, women dominated the musical conversation.

Jets coach Rex Ryan reportedly told his players last week that the “buzz on the street” was that he was going to get fired after this season.

Sunday Football Notes

Teams will force turnover as soon as season ends

The Jets, Raiders, and the Redskins are among the 10 teams who could be looking for a new coach come Monday.

Opinion

opinion | jennifer graham

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/12/27/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/1230oped_graham.jpg But the fire is so delightful!

With new laws regulating wood stoves, and banning many older models, the venerable fireplace should shiver, as should those of us who enjoy its ambient comforts.

Sports

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Celtics 103, Cavaliers 100

The Celtics’ Brandon Bass blocked the Cavaliers’ Dion Waiters with less than 10 seconds left in the game.

Celtics hold on to beat Cavaliers

The Celtics nearly blew another huge lead Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden, but held on to snap their three-game skid.

Arts

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Book REview

‘Neutrino Hunters’ by Ray Jayawardhana

The tiny, barely detectable particles responsible for some of the galaxy’s biggest explosions are the stars of the astrophysicist’s new book.