Gingrich, Romney keep debate civil

GOP front-runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich were the focus of much of the attention heading into the final debate before the Iowa caucuses.

State’s employment picture brightens

The Massachusetts unemployment rate fell to 7 percent in November, its lowest level in nearly three years, as employers added jobs for the second consecutive month.

School abuse fears not reported

The principal of a Dorchester school never told state authorities about a teacher aide’s inappropriate contact with a student, school officials said.

Brothers create computer data sifter

David and Yakir Reshef, both Boston college students, created a powerful tool to rapidly flag patterns and identify correlations in huge databases.

A formal end to nine years of war

The Pentagon declared an official end to its mission in Iraq yesterday, closing a troubled conflict that helped reshape US politics and left a bitter legacy of anti-US sentiment across the Muslim world.

Smoke covered the presidential palace compound in Baghdad during a massive US-led air raid on March 21, 2003.

AFP

Smoke covered the presidential palace compound in Baghdad during a massive US-led air raid on March 21, 2003.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, return fire after coming upon a mortar attack during an orange sandstorm on a road south of Baghdad on Wednesday, March 26, 2003. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch) library tag 03302003 national/foreign iraqslider

laura rauch/associated press

US Marines returned fire after coming upon a mortar attack during a sandstorm south of Baghdad on March 26, 2003.

ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY DEC. 11 AND THEREAFTER - FILE - In this April 9, 2003 file photo, Iraqi civilians and U.S. soldiers pull down a statue of Saddam Hussein in downtown Baghdad, Iraq. In the beginning, it all looked simple: topple Saddam Hussein, destroy his purported weapons of mass destruction and lay the foundation for a pro-Western government in the heart of the Arab world. Nearly 4,500 American and more than 100,000 Iraqi lives later, the objective now is simply to get out _ and leave behind a country where democracy has at least a chance, where Iran does not dominate and where conditions may not be good but

jerome Delay/associated press/file

On April 9, 2003, Iraqi civilians and US soldiers pulled down a statue of Saddam Hussein in downtown Baghdad.

** FILE ** In this May 1, 2003 file photo, President Bush gives a

J. Scott Applewhite/associated press/file

President George W. Bush declared an end to major combat operations in Iraq on May 1, 2003.

ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY DEC. 11 AND THEREAFTER - FILE - in this Dec. 14, 2003 file image taken from video, captured former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein undergoes medical examinations in Baghdad. In the beginning, it all looked simple: topple Saddam Hussein, destroy his purported weapons of mass destruction and lay the foundation for a pro-Western government in the heart of the Arab world. Nearly 4,500 American and more than 100,000 Iraqi lives later, the objective now is simply to get out _ and leave behind a country where democracy has at least a chance, where Iran does not dominate and where conditions may not be good but

US military via APTN/file

This Dec. 14, 2003 file image taken from video shows captured former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein as he underwent a medical examination in Baghdad.

Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, standing, testifies at his trial at a court in the heavily fortified Green Zone, in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, May 17, 2006. His other co-defendants are (1st row L to R) Mohammed Azzawi, Abdullah Kazim al-Ruwayyid, seated behind Saddam Hussein. (2nd row L to R) Awad Hamed al-Bandar, Mizher Abdullah al-Ruwayyid, (3rd row L to R) Barzan Ibrahim, Ali Dayen Ali, Taha Yassim Ramadan. Saddam and the other defendants have been charged with crimes against humanity for the crackdown, in which hundreds of Dujail residents were imprisoned, some undergoing torture, and 148 were killed. The defendants face possible execution by hanging if convicted. (AP Photo/Marco Di Lauro, Pool) Library Tag 05182006 National/Foreign iraqslider

Marco Di Lauro/associated press/file

Saddam Hussein testified at his trial held in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad on May 17, 2006.

ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY DEC. 11 AND THEREAFTER - FILE - In this March 7, 2010 file photo, two Iraqi women display their inked fingers after casting their vote in the parliamentary elections in Baghdad, Iraq. In the beginning, it all looked simple: topple Saddam Hussein, destroy his purported weapons of mass destruction and lay the foundation for a pro-Western government in the heart of the Arab world. Nearly 4,500 American and more than 100,000 Iraqi lives later, the objective now is simply to get out _ and leave behind a country where democracy has at least a chance, where Iran does not dominate and where conditions may not be good but

Hadi Mizban/associated press/file

Two women displayed their inked fingers after casting votes in Iraq's parliamentary elections on March 7, 2010.

Iraqi soldiers celebrate after training at Basmaya military base in Baghdad November 22, 2011. With U.S. troops scheduled to leave Iraq at the end of the year, Baghdad is looking to build its national armed forces to take over responsibility for security. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen (IRAQ - Tags: CONFLICT MILITARY) iraqslider

Mohammed Ameen/reuters

Iraqi soldiers gathered after training at Basmaya military base in Baghdad on Nov. 22.

The US flag, Iraq flag, and the US Forces Iraq colors are seen before they are carried in during ceremonies marking the end of US military mission in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. After nearly nine years, 4,500 American dead, 32,000 wounded and more than $800 billion, U.S. officials formally shut down the war in Iraq a conflict that U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said was worth the price in blood and money, as it set Iraq on a path to democracy. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) iraqslider

Khalid Mohammed/associated press

The US flag, Iraq flag, and the US Forces Iraq colors were carried during yesterday's ceremony marking the end of the US military mission in the country.

U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Adam Schuessler, from Travers City, Michigan, waits to board an Air Force C-130 transport plane to leave Iraq at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center in Baghdad December 15, 2011. U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (IRAQ - Tags: MILITARY CONFLICT SOCIETY) iraqslider

Shannon Stapleton/reuters

US. Army Sergeant First Class Adam Schuessler, from Travers City, Mich., waited to board a transport plane out of Iraq yesterday.

Charges against Julian Edelman dropped

Prosecutors said they would not be able to meet their burden of proof in the case against Edelman, who was arrested on Halloween after allegedly groping a woman.

“This one strikes at the heart. It’s one of the most dreaded fears of parents.”

Rich Robison,  on allegations of abuse by a teacher’s aide

Metro

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12-15-11: Andover, MA: A handout photo of Geraldine Magee and her husband John Magee taken in Hawaii in 1990. (Handout Photo) section:metro topic:16andover

Andover slayings stun town

Friends of John and Geraldine Magee, who were found fatally shot on Wednesday morning, said they could not imagine anyone who would wish them harm.

Business

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Chinese turn to Boston for job-training techniques

Visitors from Beijing Polytechnic learned about the YMCA job training program that teaches computer and administrative skills to low-income job seekers.

Nation & World

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The report is likely to increase calls for Joe Arpaio to step down.

Ariz. sheriff accused of bias toward Latinos

The Justice Department accused Joe Arpaio of engaging in “unconstitutional policing’’ by unfairly targeting Latinos for detentions and arrests and retaliating against those who complain.

Fall All-Scholastics

All-Scholastics

The Watertown Raiders hold their trophy aloft as they react to their 3-1 victory over Oakmont in the Div. 2 field hockey state final at Worcester State University on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011.

Fall All-Scholastics: Honoring the area’s best

A Boston Globe tradition continues as we toast local athletes from Barnstable to Georgetown for their achievements this fall.