US economy grew at 2.8% rate in fourth quarter

Although the economy grew by the fastest rate of 2011 in the fourth quarter, it was slower than the 3 percent forecast by economists.

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 27: Republican presidential candidate, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich speaks during a Latin Builders Association - Decision Speech 2012 at the Omni Hilton Hotel on January 27, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Gingrich is campaigning for votes in Florida prior to the state's January 31st primary. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Newt Gingrich endorses modified DREAM Act

The GOP presidential candidate supports the modification that puts children of illegal immigrants on a path to citizenship if they serve in the armed forces.

Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney makes a point during the Republican presidential candidates debate in Jacksonville, Florida, January 26, 2012. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

News Analysis

Romney turns more aggressive

No longer staying above the fray, Mitt Romney appeared to revel in throwing roundhouse verbal punches last night.

President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Michigan's Al Glick Field House, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Obama proposes link between college aid and affordability

In a plan unveiled today by President Barack Obama, campus-based aid would increase to about $10 billion a year, up from $1 billion, for institutions that control costs.

Friendly’s, Burger King test out combining shops

A Fribble and a Whopper? The two restaurant chains are combining their offerings under one roof at a new “Friendly’s Scoop” location in New Jersey.

Friendly’s Ice Cream has teamed up with Burger King to feature both chains’ offerings under one roof at a new location in New Jersey.

JACKSON, NJ, JANUARY 25, 2012 People are seen enjoying ice cream from the new Friendly's Scoop located within the Burger King in Jackson, NJ. 1/25/2012 Photo by Jennifer S. Altman/For The Boston Globe

Jennifer S. Altman for The Boston Globe

Friendly’s Scoop is the first co-branded shop tested by the Wilbraham company and executives hope the concept will help it grow.

JACKSON, NJ, JANUARY 25, 2012 People are seen enjoying ice cream from the new Friendly's Scoop located within the Burger King in Jackson, NJ. 1/25/2012 Photo by Jennifer S. Altman/For The Boston Globe

Jennifer S. Altman for The Boston Globe

The 200-square-foot counter space serves frozen treats and is operated by Burger King franchisee Joe Anghelone.

JACKSON, NJ, JANUARY 25, 2012 Michael Gregory scoops some ice cream at the new Friendly's Scoop located within the Burger King in Jackson, NJ. 1/25/2012 Photo by Jennifer S. Altman/For The Boston Globe

Jennifer S. Altman for The Boston Globe

Michael Gregory scooped ice cream at the new Friendly's Scoop located within the Burger King.

JACKSON, NJ, JANUARY 25, 2012 Claudia Abby, age 8, is seen enjoying ice cream from the new Friendly's Scoop located within the Burger King in Jackson, NJ. 1/25/2012 Photo by Jennifer S. Altman/For The Boston Globe

Jennifer S. Altman for The Boston Globe

Claudia Abby, 8, enjoyed ice cream from the new Friendly's Scoop counter.

Tom Brady during his days at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, Calif.

Tom Brady remains a special star in his hometown

There’s an unusual number of Patriots fans in San Mateo, Calif., linked by their fondness for Brady, whose connections to his high school still run strong.

Banners hang on light poles near Lucas Oil Stadium as preparations continue for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The New England Patriots will face the New York Giants on Feb. 5. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Brian McGrory

Indianapolis on his mind

I thought they always held Super Bowls in cities. You’re telling me that the most-watched sporting event on the planet is taking place in a town where the 7-Elevens close at 8 p.m.?

“Is he the best athlete [I’ve] ever coached? Absolutely not. I don’t think he’s in the top 10. But he is the best football player.”

Tom MacKenzie,  Tom Brady’s former football coach

Globe Insiders

Editorial Events

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Interested in photography? Learn more about your craft by attending this special lecture with Pulitzer Prize-winning Globe photographer, Essdras M Suarez.

Inside The Boston Globe

Worcester group plays large role in online protest

MOVIE REVIEW

‘Separation’ anxiety to spare in superb Oscar nominee from Iran

N.E. lawmakers join to fight base closures
Patriots offensive lineman Brian Waters was never drafted, but has earned six Pro Bowl invitations in his NFL career, including one this year. s

Unheralded, undrafted, and now in the Super Bowl
Actress Claire Danes smiles as she is honoured as the

Hasty’s woman of the year Claire Danes parades in style
Tom Riddle, a green anaconda, received a check-up today.

Anaconda gets clean bill of health

MOVIE REVIEW

What makes ‘Crazy Horse’ nightclub move

Moore making an impact for Patriots
Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam Adelson, have each given $5 million to a super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich.

Romney money edge washed away in Fla.

Textbook publishers prep for the e-future
Governor Deval Patrick spoke earlier this week during his State of the Commonwealth speech.

Gov. Patrick on Tim Thomas: We’re losing ‘basic courtesy’

Newton stunned by 2d child porn case

Columnists

Banners hang on light poles near Lucas Oil Stadium as preparations continue for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The New England Patriots will face the New York Giants on Feb. 5. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Brian McGrory

Indianapolis on his mind

Boston Capital

Romney gets carried away

EDWARD L. GLAESER

The sound of saber-rattling against China

Opinion

Obama’s truth: Taxes or debt

ALEX BEAM

Down on season two of ‘Downton Abbey’

JOAN WICKERSHAM

The perfect spirit of an old museum

Yvonne Abraham

Civil legal aid is a sound investment

Tech Lab

Watching movies in UltraViolet

Joan Vennochi

Tired old Democrats in Massachusetts

Juliette Kayyem

The DREAM act struggles on, nameless but alive

Joshua Green

The story Romney should tell

Albert Pujols, left, and C.J. Wilson joined the Angels this offseason, while Prince Fielder joined the Tigers.

Tony Massarotti

Red Sox seem to be falling behind in AL

Metro

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Barney Frank and his partner, Jim Ready, shown in Newton on election night 2010, are planning to get married.

Congressman Frank plans to marry partner

US Representative Barney Frank is planning to wed his partner of five years, a spokesman confirmed yesterday.

Nation & World

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US unveils new rules for forests

The Obama administration finalized a rule yesterday governing the management of 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands, in the first meaningful overhaul of forest rules in 30 years.

Politics

Political Notebook

Romney financial disclosure missing data

Mitt and Ann Romney failed to list an unknown amount of investment income from various sources on financial disclosure forms filed last year, according to the Romney campaign.

Business

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Taxpayers still owed $133b from bailout

The Treasury Department’s plans to recoup that money have been slowed by the volatile stock market and weakness among smaller banks. Some will never be recovered.

Sports

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Boston Harbor, MA 012612 (ltor) Petty Officers 2nd Class Matthew Bialas (cq) and Daniel Foley (cq) chatted with Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine aboard the Coast Guard Rescue boat at its North End base in Boston, Thursday, January 26 2012. (Globe Staff Photo/Wendy Maeda) section: Sports slug: BobbyValentine reporter: Peter Abraham

Bobby Valentine is getting to know Boston

The Red Sox manager said becoming familiar with the city and its people is important for him. And he’s as comfortable in a a police station as the ballpark.

Movies

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MOVIE REVIEW

‘Albert Nobbs’: trying to have it both ways

Glenn Close manfully portrays a buttoned-up butler in this Edwardian-era film.

Arts

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aRT REVIEW

2012 deCordova Biennial features true good works amid false steps

The second deCordova Biennial — the pre-eminent survey of contemporary art made by artists living and working in New England — is a major let down.

Magazine

The cover for the January 22 2012 issue

The man who crushed the Keystone XL pipeline
The cover for the January 15 2012 issue

Mass. voting maps reflect State House evolution
The cover for the January 8 2012 issue

Photograph by Essdras M Suarez
The cover for the January 1 2012 issue

Bostonian of the Year: Carmen Ortiz

Opinion

“Politicians may enjoy appealing to popular anti-China sentiment, but America’s interests demand cooperation, not conflict.”

Edward L. Glaeser 

Ideas

“The unipolar world isn’t necessarily better than what preceded it, either for the US or for the rest of the world. It might even be worse.”

Thanassis Cambanis,  on the trouble with American dominance