GOP presidential debate

Candidates focus on national security

The leading contenders argued for a more robust and aggressive effort to combat terrorism.

One of the main duels of the night featured Donald Trump (left) and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (right).

Ruth Fremson/EPA/Pool

Analysis

A tale of two GOP debates among four candidates

The battles could portend the future of the contest for the Republican nomination.

DANTE RAMOS

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/16/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/danteramos-1622.jpg Somehow, GOP debate gets deep on dictators

Is it better to overthrow tyrants in the hope of spreading democracy, or put up with them for the stake of stability?

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/10/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/11redlinepic07.jpg T officials back axing operator of runaway Red Line train

David Vazquez was placed on an immediate unpaid suspension until the MBTA?s general manager approved the firing.

Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer.

Dale Webster/The Eagle-Tribune/AP

Colleen Ritzer?s family vows to carry on legacy of kindness

The parents of the slain Danvers teacher spoke Tuesday after Philip Chism was convicted of her murder.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/16/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/200_philip_chism_verdict.jpg Philip Chism found guilty of first-degree murder

The Danvers teen was convicted of murdering and raping his high school teacher, Colleen Ritzer, in a case that shocked their community.

GOP says it?s reached budget agreement with White House

The $1.1 trillion spending bill would fund all government agencies through the 2016 budget year.

Shirley Leung

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/15/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/shirley-5853.jpg It?s time for business community to pay up

Generous donors mean First Night will not operate in the red this year, but the Esplanade fireworks event still needs sponsorship.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/06/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/Boghosian_26plainridge16_MET[1].jpg Gambling revenue at Plainridge Park slides again in November

Revenues were down by $1 million from October, the fourth consecutive monthly decline at the Plainville casino.

THOMAS FARRAGHER

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/16/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/farragher-9880.jpg A night out with the boys

In West Newton, there?s a men?s book club, and sometimes they might talk about a guy named Ishmael.

With ?Star Wars: The Force Awakens,? director J.J. Abrams understands what George Lucas never quite figured out: that we?re less interested in the science fiction future than we are in revisiting the past.

Film Frame/Disney/Lucasfilm via Associated Press

Movie Review

Latest ?Star Wars? film takes the faithful full circle

The ?The Force Awakens,? which embraces the funky, handmade garage aesthetic of the 1977 original, is great fun.

Bill Lynch and Jane Fuller joined Globe Santa at the 21st annual Salem Snowball, a benefit held to raise funds for the Globe Santa Fund.

globe santa

Helpers work hard to make sure packages are ?just right?

An industrious team of elves are working in a Millbury warehouse, making sure every child?s package is ready for the holiday.

Anne Hawley was all smiles Tuesday night as various luminaries celebrated her tenure at the museum.

A fond farewell for Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum?s leader

Anne Hawley, director of the museum since 1989, was toasted by peers, arts patrons, and assorted VIPs Tuesday.

Tables

Frank Pepe pizzeria makes Boston-area debut today

The famed New Haven eatery?s first location here is at The Mall at Chestnut Hill.

Johnathan Raschela, 16, was in a t-shirt as he skated at the Frog Pond at Boston Common on Monday.

Very warm greetings for the holiday season? Check

December is when New England is supposed to be at its Currier-and-Ives peak, but this is what Christmas in Dallas must feel like.

Jackson Renshaw stirred a stew at the Commonwealth Kitchen in Dorchester. Much of the work at the shared working space is done by small vendors who sell their wares at the Boston Public Market.

Keith Bedford/Globe Staff

CommonWealth Kitchen juggles old, new services

The nonprofit?s managers have found that there is demand from local companies for contract manufacturing work.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/15/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/tlumacki_goldstartree_metro365.jpg Gold Star families remember fallen military members

About 100 families, who lost relatives to combat- or service-related injuries, made ornaments in their honor at the State House.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/15/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/151215_KDB_VETERANS_003.jpg A fresh start for homeless women veterans in Northampton

A dozen women ? many who suffered abuse or other trauma ? have moved into new quarters on the campus of the VA Medical Center.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/15/BostonGlobe.com/ReceivedContent/Images/badcar.jpg Profanity-laced vehicle sat for days outside city elementary school

The station wagon?s lingering presence outside a Grove Hall school hit a nerve among some who work in the building.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/14/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/davis_patsinjuries3A_spts.jpg Injuries sideline Dominique Easley, LeGarrette Blount for season

A league source confirmed late Tuesday that Blount, the Patriots? leading rusher, will join Easley on injured reserve.

Christopher L. Gasper

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/15/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/Chris_Gasper_150px-9132.jpg With this defense, Patriots strike just the right balance

New England leads the league in forcing three-and-outs, which is giving the offense plenty of opportunities.

Ground Game

Ground Game

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/12/01/BostonGlobe.com/BCOM/Images/499328168-6487.jpg Early campaign states fade into background role

Even if Iowa or New Hampshire reject a candidate, that doesn?t mean his or her campaign is over.

Globe Santa

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/25/BostonGlobe.com/Special/Images/santa_logo[1]-U80342642589InF--90x90@BostonGlobe.com.jpg Donate to Globe Santa

Globe Santa delivers holiday gifts to local children in need.

Globe investigations

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/18/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/spotlight150x150-165.jpg Globe investigations and Spotlight reports

A look at high-impact investigations from The Boston Globe, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning report on abuse in the Catholic Church.

The Big Picture

Shadows and silhouettes

When light strips away the details, highlighting the environment and creating intriguing shapes and patterns, photographers create striking images.

The story behind 'Spotlight'

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/11/18/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/spotlight-9497.jpg Boston Globe coverage and the movie ?Spotlight?

?Spotlight? is based on the stories and the reporters behind the investigation of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.