January 6, 2013

From Mitt Romney’s loss through the recent tax fight, Republicans have seen the foundations of their strategy called into question, stirring a debate about how to reshape the party.

Newtown, Conn., still grieving after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, has wrestled with the question of how long is too long to let the public memorials stand.

The excitement around last year’s street activism against Vladimir V. Putin, now president again, is gone. But steps by the government are still setting off waves of indignation.

Backed by a big performance from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay throttled Adrian Peterson and an overmatched Vikings team in an N.F.C. wild-card game.

President Bashar al-Assad ruled out talks with the armed opposition and ignored its demand that he step down, instead using a nearly hourlong speech to justify his crackdown.