Panetta offers sober assessment on Syria

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the nation’s top military leader told Congress of Syria’s sophisticated defense capabilities today, in response to calls for US intervention.

Romney campaign finds safety in numbers

Fresh off six victories on Super Tuesday, Mitt Romney’s advisers said their candidate is amassing a lead that would be “insurmountable” for any rivals to overcome.

http://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/03/07/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/Marcus Hurd--90x90.jpg Sole survivor of Mattapan massacre testifies

Marcus Hurd, who is paralyzed from the neck down after being shot in the head, was only able to provide a vague description of his attackers.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala, left, and center Spencer Hawes, right, battled for the ball with Celtics forward Chris Wilcox, center foreground, with Brandon Bass in the first of Philadelphia’s blowout win Wednesday.

76ers 103, Celtics 71

Celtics win streak is halted

The Celtics had won five in a row before their match-up with the division-leading 76ers, who had lost eight of their past 10.

Michele McDonald for The Boston Globe

Exclusive Thursday Preview | G COVER

Dad, can you put away the laptop?

Parents have long been worried about how much time their children spend online. But if you ask the children, mom and dad are the ones who can’t turn away from the screen.

review

Apple’s iPad still dominates, for now

The iPad 3, unveiled today, has new and impressive features — but it also has a range of competitors that are gaining market share.

Peyton Manning spoke as Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay listened during a press conference Wednesday announcing that the Colts will release Manning.

TONY MASSAROTTI

Manning’s decision will reverberate in New England

The image of Peyton Manning leaving the Colts should have Patriots fans considering what will happen when Tom Brady departs the scene.

Jeff Jacoby

Apologize like you mean it, Rush

Rush Limbaugh’s millions of fans deserved better than his disgraceful performance last week, when for three days running he insulted liberal activist Sandra Fluke in coarse and ugly terms.

“The Democrats are savoring every day it doesn’t come to a conclusion. You’re in a circle shoot, and everybody keeps taking potshots at everybody else.”

Dennis Hastert,  on the GOP race

Globe Insiders

Globe Talk | March 21, 6 p.m.

http://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/03/02/BostonGlobe.com/Special/Images/lennyclarke copy-018--90x90.jpg Boston, a Comedy Capital

Join Dave Russo, Anthony Scibelli, Tony V, Jimmy Tingle, and Lenny Clarke for a talk about the city’s comedy scene. Laughs guaranteed.

Metro

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Happy berth day for Harvard coach Tommy Amaker

Princeton’s victory over Penn put the Crimson in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1946.

Opinion

“As if this misogynistic dredge through the gutter wasn’t reprehensible enough, Limbaugh compounded his offense with an apology that rang false.”

Jeff Jacoby 

Ideas

“The story of St. John’s University reflects the power — and the threat — that such an education still represents to a proud nation that nevertheless hungers for new ideas.”

Patricia Wen  on the lost liberal arts university of China