US, Cuba to normalize relations

President Obama and Raul Castro spoke by phone in the first substantive talks between US and Cuban leaders since 1961.

Alan Gross arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Wednesday.

Jeff Flake/AP

Prisoner Alan Gross arrives in US after release from Cuba

Gross was released from a Cuban prison after five years as part of an agreement that also includes the release of three Cubans jailed in the US.

Two of the stars of the 2004 curse-breaking Red Sox team  ? Curt Schilling (left) and Pedro Martinez ? are on Dan Shaughnessy?s Hall of Fame ballot.

DAN SHAUGHNESSY

Strong case for Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez for Hall

Shaughnessy also voted for Randy Johnson, John Smoltz, Tim Raines, and Alan Trammell, a personal high of six in all.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/17/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/baker150-7657.jpg Mass. shortfall is closer to $750m, tax group warns

Advocacy groups on both sides of the political spectrum said the estimate was potentially in range.

Thomas Farragher

Remembering two parents, and what they left behind

The passing of a father, and then a mother, is cause for memories and appreciation.

Security fears spurred Sony to allow theater chains to cancel showings of the Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy ?The Interview.?

NYC premiere of ?The Interview? canceled as threats fly

The N.Y. premiere of the Seth Rogen film was canceled after a hacker group threatened moviegoers with violence.

Shirley Leung

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/17/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/leung-3901.jpg On economy, Patrick can hold his head high

Hindsight gives Governor Patrick high marks ? plus some things to worry about if he runs for president in 5 years.

From left: Jay Duplass, Judith Light, Amy Landecker, and Jeffrey Tambor in the Amazon Studios original series ?Transparent.?

Matthew Gilbert?s picks for TV?s best shows in 2014

The Globe TV critic submits his Top 10 for 2014 ? including ?Transparent? ? plus a baker?s dozen of runners-up.

Owners of pharmacy tied to outbreak arrested

Founder and owner Barry Cadden (left) was led out of the Wrentham police station in handcuffs. Gregory A. Conigliaro (right) was also taken into custody.

WCVB

Twelve others associated with the compounding pharmacy blamed in a deadly 2012 meningitis outbreak were also arrested.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/17/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/fung-wah150-3914.jpg Fung Wah gets federal approval to return to the road

The cut-rate bus company had its federal license revoked in March 2013 for safety violations.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/09/26/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/garysampson.jpg Gary Lee Sampson in court for 1st time in decade

Sampson, who carjacked and killed two Mass. men during a crime spree in 2001, faces a sentencing retrial in February.

Women in two sexual assaults used Uber

Three women said they were indecently assaulted Sunday while using ride-share services in Boston.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/17/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/walsh150-7668.jpg Boston still in hunt for 2024 Summer Olympics

The USOC will make a bid for the Games, and next month will choose a candidate from a field of four cities, including Boston.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/15/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/skyline_33-6231349.jpg Walsh seeks to extend city?s urban renewal powers

The move would allow the BRA to use eminent domain powers, tax breaks and other tools to shape development in the city.

Opinion

Charles J. Ogletree Jr. and David J. Harris

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2014/12/16/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/wiggs_Protest_206658.jpg More than ?enough is enough?

The demonstrations over recent grand jury decisions beg the question: When are rage and protest necessary, but not sufficient?

The Big Picture

Best photos of 2014, part 1

Photographs from around the world on a range of topics and events taken during 2014.