Romney and a revived Obama spar in 2d debate

By Brian MacQuarrie and Matt Viser

President Obama and Mitt Romney delivered punches and counterpunches on the economy, foreign policy, and social issues.

Americans’ cholesterol levels falling, review finds

By Deborah Kotz

Despite an increase in obesity-related diseases, cholesterol levels among adults in the US have taken a turn downward.

By Jim Salter

A St. Louis suburb can enforce a funeral protest ordinance aimed at preventing picketing by an antigay Kansas church, a federal appeals court ruled.

By Damien Cave

Cuba will eliminate its exit visa requirement, allowing citizens to depart with only a passport and a visa from the country where they plan to go.

The Peace Arch crossing on the US-Canada border in Blaine, Wash., was closed Tuesday after a man driving a van with Washington state plates shot a Canadian guard in the neck and then apparently killed himself, a police official said.

By Amir Shah

Afghanistan’s security service denied claims that a suicide bomber who killed two US troops and four Afghans in an attack was a member of the country’s intelligence agency.

opinion | renee loth

By Renée Loth

After 90 minutes of animated, not to say aggressive, policy discussion, few voters watching last night would confuse Mitt Romney and President Obama.

bill aulet and fiona murray

By Bill Aulet and Fiona Murray

Small businesses are a vital part of our economy, but they often employ only a few workers, while innovation-driven companies generate many more jobs and exports.

Jeff Jacoby

What about do no harm?

By Jeff Jacoby

Suicide is not health care, and prescribing death is not a doctor’s role.

By Travis Andersen, Derek J. Anderson and Melanie Dostis

A 4.0 magnitude quake struck about 30 miles outside of Portland on Tuesday night, officials said, shaking the ground throughout New England.

Fungal infection poses challenges to patients, officials

By Liz Kowalczyk

With the expanding fungal meningitis outbreak, officials are dealing with a disease difficult to diagnose, and with treatment risky and arduous.

Chemist often called, wrote to prosecutor

By Andrea Estes and Scott Allen

Annie Dookhan carried on an unauthorized correspondence with a prosecutor whose drug evidence she analyzed.

Failure of A123 Systems becomes part of fray

By Erin Ailworth

The bankruptcy filing of A123 Systems thrusts the Waltham company into the middle of the presidential debate over energy and economic policies.

A123 is latest aid recipient to file bankruptcy

By Beth Healy

The bankruptcy filing marks another blemish on President Obama’s record for investing US dollars in alternative energy start-ups.

New development coming soon to Pier 4

By Casey Ross

Construction will begin next month on a massive mixed-use complex that will eventually displace well-known Boston restaurant Anthony’s Pier 4.

Bill Ezinicki, 88; ex-Bruin preferred putting greens

By Marvin Pave

Before joining the Bruins, Mr. Ezinicki played right wing for the Maple Leafs on three Stanley Cup-winning teams, but his heart was always in golf.

Jackie Guthrie, 68, married to folk singer Arlo 43 years

Jackie Guthrie had inoperable cancer and died Sunday at the couple’s winter home in Sebastian, Fla.

By Daniel E. Slotnik

Mr. Friedman, 77, helped develop and market perfumes named for fashion designers like Ralph Lauren, Paloma Picasso, and Gloria Vanderbilt in the 1970s and ’80s.

On football | Midweek Report

Patriots coaches dropped the ball in Seattle

By Greg A. Bedard

The Patriots players did well enough to beat the Seahawks, but some critical mistakes and risky decisions were made by New England’s coaches.

Tigers 2, Yankees 1

Justin Verlander comes up aces again for Tigers

By Peter Abraham

Verlander allowed three hits and one run in 8 1/3 innings as the Tigers pushed the Yankees to the brink of elimination in the ALCS with a 2-1 victory.

On Baseball

Brad Ausmus is the best choice for Red Sox

By Nick Cafardo

Ausmus, a former catcher who was born to manage, is interviewing with the Red Sox Wednesday to replace Bobby Valentine.

The new tastes of New England

By Jonathan Levitt

As chefs elevate humble ingredients that have always grown here, expect more menus to have a more specific expression of New England’s seasons, landscape, and culture.

Recipe for turnip soup with yogurt

Make this soup with small Hakurei turnips, which are sweet and mild. Use those or another mild variety, each about the size of an egg.

Dining Out

Vejigantes brings San Juan to South End

By Devra First

Vejigantes’ dishes may not always hit the mark, but the restaurant offers a welcome taste of Puerto Rico.