CIA tactics went beyond legal limits, Senate report says

The report from the Senate Intelligence Committee will be the first public accounting of the CIA?s use of what critics call torture on Al Qaeda detainees held at ??black?? sites in Europe and Asia.

Larry Downing/REUTERS

The report provides a macabre accounting of some of the grisliest techniques that the CIA used to torture and imprison terrorism suspects.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/09/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/weather150-8281.jpg Spinouts, crashes as winter storm rolls into Mass.

A coastal storm is bringing heavy rain, damaging winds, and sleet to the state.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/03/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/2014-11-19T203105Z_315989000_GM1EABK0CGI01_RTRMADP_3_USA-POLITICS.jpg Moveon.org prepares $1m push for Warren presidential run

The liberal group?s move comes despite numerous statements by the senator that she will not run for president in 2016.

How do you stay married for half a century?

At an event at the Taj Boston, local couples talked about the secrets to a long marriage.

After harassment charge, MIT removes online lectures

The school said Walter Lewin, a popular retired faculty member, had sexually harassed a woman who was taking his online class.

Former Fessenden School students allege sex abuse

Several former students at the prestigious Newton school say they were sexually abused by four teachers in the 60s and 70s.

Elegant Furniture closed this fall after the owner learned the rent would jump.

Jonathan Wiggs for the Globe/File

Green Line plan brings tension to Union Square

Somerville is struggling to manage the forces of gentrification predictably moving into the area.

DAN SHAUGHNESSY

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/08/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/shaughnessy-7545.jpg On Jon Lester watch, information is scarce

There is plenty of buzz about the lefty at the baseball meetings, but only he and his agents know where he is headed.

Ben Cherington said he?s not shying away from pitchers who are in the final years of their contract.

Nick Cafardo | On baseball

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington wading through options

Jon Lester wasn?t the only topic at the Winter Meetings for the Red Sox, who are considering a range of moves.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/09/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/453881546-7622--90x90.jpg Red Sox make offer to pitcher Justin Masterson

The righthander started his major league career in Boston before a trade to Cleveland in 2009.

opinion | Marcela García and Nicole Hernandez

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/09/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/IMG_20141208_190133960-1336--90x90.jpg Conversation about possible Boston Olympics must continue

Here are the key questions and takeaways from Globe Opinion?s panel discussion.

Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty in 2009 to a scheme in which he stole $17.5 billion from investors, including charities and retirees. He is serving a 150-year prison sentence.

Court limits effort by Madoff victims to access some profits

A federal court blocked the trustee overseeing the Bernard Madoff bankruptcy case from reaching far back in time to recoup money.

Senator James Inhofe sees a global conspiracy.

New clout for climate change naysayer

James Inhofe, in line to become head of the Senate?s environmental committee, has pledged to try to block President Obama?s climate agenda.

It was Obama?s third appearance on ??The Colbert Report,? his second as president, and marked the beginning of the final two weeks for the Comedy Central program.

Obama cracks jokes on ?The Colbert Report?

When the president was not seriously defending his record, he had no problem riffing with Stephen Colbert.

Opinion

Martha Minow and Robert Post

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/08/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/c53535fc16f34980949529996d1f3bd5-c53535fc16f34980949529996d1f3bd5-0.jpg Trust in the legal system must be regained

Many students are struggling to reconcile their ideals of justice with what they perceive as manifest injustices.

The Big Picture

Los Angeles city firefighters battle a massive fire at a seven-story downtown apartment complex under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014.

Gene Blevins/Reuters

Massive fire in downtown Los Angeles

The huge fire shut down parts of two major freeways in Los Angeles early Monday morning.