Back from break, Congress faces payroll tax talks

By Andrew Taylor

Returning from recess, Congress faces the challenge of funding an extension of the payroll tax cut and jobless benefits, both of which are due to expire Feb. 29.

All five GOP candidates will be on the stage tonight in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs may be serving a life-plus-20-year sentence in a Texas prison, but his grip on most of his 10,000 followers does not appear to be lessening.

Cruise ship’s captain held for questions

By Gaia Pianigiani and Sarah Maslin Nir

Italian authorities are focusing on the captain, who the ship’s owner said may have been responsible for the grounding that sunk the Costa Cruises liner and killed at least five people.

A Russian spacecraft designed to boost the nation’s pride on a bold mission to a moon of Mars came down in flames yesterday, officials said.

Intercepted militant radio communications indicate the leader of the Pakistani Taliban may have been killed in a recent US drone strike, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

Editorial cartoon: A party eating its own

Cartoonist Michael Ramirez comments on how some segments of the Republican party appear to be going against their purported free market principles in this primary season.

Letters

"Once again, non-educators pass judgment on a system that is broken by proposing solutions that don’t address the problems." - Loreen Tirrell

Letters | SMOKING-CESSATION METHODS QUESTIONED

"We have been led to believe that we can do things 1 through 12 incorrectly or half-heartedly, and then take pill number 13 to make everything all better. Pill number 13 does not exist." - Dr. David A. Meyerson

By Matt Rocheleau

A couple celebrating their honeymoon recalled a chaotic scene aboard the luxury cruise liner Costa Concordia when it ran aground and tipped over off the coast of Italy.

BOURNE

Newly disclosed records show an FBI agent investigating the death of a 10-year-old Massachusetts boy said she could not be sure it was an accident, as it has been classified.

Northern New England is in the grip of icy temperatures. But if you think it is cold in the flatlands, try 15 below - 53 below with the wind - atop Mount Washington.

tech lab plus

Making radar detection go social

By Hiawatha Bray

Hiawatha Bray reviews a possible Twitter for scofflaws, a new video memo pad for your fridge, and a backpack in which to carry all of your valuable gadgets.

On Feb. 14, Hulu will release “Battleground,’’ its first scripted show.

white coat notes

By Chelsea Conaboy

The New England Journal of Medicine is marking its birthday with a website, articles, and a symposium in June.

Joel J. Tyler, 90, judge in ‘Deep Throat’ case

By Bruce Weber

Mr. Tyler, who ruled that the pornographic film was obscene and that New York City theaters showing it were breaking the law, died on Nov. 9.

Janice McGrath, 54, passionate advocate for fellow cancer patients

By Bryan Marquard

Ms. McGrath, executive director of the New England Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, died Jan. 6 in the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne, controversial Spanish conservative

By Daniel Woolls

The last surviving minister from General Francisco Franco’s right-wing regime has died at age 89.

Everett’s Langston commits to play football for UMass

By Lorenzo Recupero

Vondell Langston, a Globe All-Scholastic football player from Everett High School, verbally committed to UMass.

Patriots Notebook

Finally, the Patriots were 60-minute men

By Michael Whitmer

The Patriots were able to put together a strong effort, from beginning to end, in Saturday’s AFC divisional playoff victory over the Broncos.

NBA roundup

Roundup: Paul Millsap, Jazz top Nuggets

Millsap had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Al Jefferson added 18 points and 12 rebounds, and the Utah Jazz beat the Nuggets, 106-96, in Denver.

The winners of the 69th Golden Globe Awards

A look at the winners of the 69th Golden Globe Awards last night.

‘Artist,’ ‘Descendants’ win big at Globes

By Sarah Rodman

“The Artist’’ and “The Descendants’’ were the biggest movie winners at the 69th Golden Globe Awards, with two awards each, while Showtime's “Homeland’’ took home the prize for best TV drama.

"Ill fares the land . . . where wealth accumulates and men decay." — Oliver Goldsmith