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Sides meet on shutdown with no sign of yielding

President Obama and top congressional leaders are meeting at the White House, but neither side has indicated a willingness to back down.

Exchanges hampered by problems

For the second day, overloaded websites and jammed phone lines frustrated consumers who tried to sign up for health coverage.

One arrested in N.Y. motorcycle, SUV skirmish

A New Jersey man was charged with unlawful imprisonment and reckless driving in the incident.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Opus in Salem offers small plates with wildly diverse flavors overseen by chef Blake Straubel. Pictured, Opus's bouillabaisse.

Salem's evolving dining scene is good news for locals and visitors. In recent months, two new restaurants opened blocks apart on Washington Street

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

At Opus, samosa-esque turnovers are filled with curried potato.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Duck poutine is among Opus’s diverse offerings.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Down the street is gastropub Naumkeag Ordinary featuring comfort food based around local, seasonal ingredients. Pictured, baked brie.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Naumkeag Ordinary offers a taco of the day. A recent version features pork belly on a flour tortilla.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

It’s an appealing menu, if not a groundbreaking one. Pictured, deviled eggs have tangy, creamy yolks.

DINING OUT

With two new restaurants, Salem’s dining scene evolves

As people in search of spirits fill the streets of Salem, the restaurant scene adds eateries Naumkeag Ordinary and Opus.

Exclusive Friday Movie Review

Strap in for the astonishing ride that is ‘Gravity’

Director Alfonso Cuarón’s movie is a visually painstaking state-of-the-art production that advances what the cinema can show us.

Gronkowski insists he and Patriots are ‘on the same page’

Rob Gronkowski tried to put to rest reports that he and the team were at odds over when he should return.

Opinion

julio frenk

The ACA’s crucial prevention component

The Affordable Care Act’s funding for public health and prevention is a necessary part of a wide-ranging health effort.

Globe exclusives

Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was able to hold Falcons star receiver Julio Jones in check Sunday night.

ON FOOTBALL | Midweek Report

Patriots were able to dictate play

Mike Napoli was scraggly since spring training, and the beard idea, well, just grew on his teammates.

Beards help Red Sox keep chins up

Andris Nelsons, who signed in May to become the next music director for the Boston Symphony, announced today that has decided not to renew his contract with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Andris Nelsons won’t renew Birmingham contract

Clockwise from top, Drakes's Coffee Cake, Hostess Twinkie, Hostess CupCake, Drake's Devil Dog, Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie, Whoopie Pie from Concord Teacakes, and Little Debbie Swiss Roll.

A snack cake taste-off

Simpli Bar and Bites serves up veggie sandwiches during the day and pork belly sliders (pictured) at night.

Cheap Eats

Simpli delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dinner

Street-level focus for Harbor Garage plans

Adrian Walker

Government for the people?

Nithin Tumma, left, with partner James Ruben, hailed the pace of launching a consumer-oriented app.

In lab, fast path leads to career changes

“I used to say, ‘I’m gonna kill this guy, whoever he is. He’s gonna pay.’ But I know it wouldn’t make me feel better,” said Amani, (shown with his mother, Audrey) who lost his brother to a shooting seven years ago.

Countering violence’s allure

Dee Morell, an X-ray technician from New Jersey, suffered a hip infection after receiving a tainted steroid injection.

Long wait for relief in drug case

Names

Travolta filming ‘The Forger’ at MFA

At Opus, samosa-esque turnovers are filled with curried potato.

DINING OUT

Spirits — and restaurants — rising

Sports

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New England Patriots' Julian Edelman, left, celebrates with teammate Tom Brady, right, after catching a touchdown pass during a game against the Buffalo Bills in September.

Tom Brady impressed with the Bengals defense

“They play well. They’re good. I know the guys on defense really respect their offense and what they’re able to do, they’re explosive,” Brady said Wednesday.

Boston mayoral race

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Politics

Councilor at Large John R. Connolly (left) held an early advantage in fund-raising, but state Representative Martin J. Walsh outpaced him in the preliminary campaign for mayor. Fund-raising for both is expected to heat up soon.

After preliminary, Connolly, Walsh warchests near even

John Connolly has slightly more cash in the bank than Martin Walsh as the duo begin the final dash to the Nov. 5 mayoral general election.

Metro

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Visitors to Faneuil Hall took photos of a handwritten sign informing them that the restrooms were closed.

Visitors disappointed as top local destinations close

The shutdown of the federal government has begun to have a ripple effect across Mass., terminating services, closing offices and parks, and delaying programs.