How low interest rates are final blow to pensions

Michael A. Fletcher

A small Indiana insurer held on when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks rocked the economy. It held on when the Great Recession hit. So what is finally causing it to break its pact with employees?

Obama pledges new rules on use of armed drones

Karen DeYoung and Greg Miller

President says the nation has reached a “crossroads” in the war on terror and that it is time to recalibrate policies.

Crowds enjoy Ocean City, Md. in 2012. (Jeffrey MacMillan)

Beach refugees seek surf farther south

Steve Hendrix

After Hurricane Sandy, Mid-Atlantic towns brace for shift in tourism that has N.J. beaches dreading the ebb and resorts in Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina eager for the flow.

A sketch of the inflatable Bubble. (Diller Scofidio + Renfro)

If Smithsonian bursts the Bubble, Hirshhorn goes back to square one

Philip Kennicott

CRITIC’S NOTEBOOK | The museum’s future as a serious art institution rides on next month’s decision.

I-5 bridge collapse in Washington state dumps vehicles, people into river

I-5 bridge collapse in Washington state dumps vehicles, people into river

Associated Press

No fatalities reported; collapse over Skagit River shuts down main route between Seattle and Canada.

IRS official Lois Lerner is placed on administrative leave, officials say

IRS official Lois Lerner is placed on administrative leave, officials say

Ed O’Keefe and Juliet Eilperin

The agency’s acting commissioner asked her to resign, but she refused, Sen. Grassley said.

For Va. GOP, conservative lightning rod sparks hope — and strikes fear

For Va. GOP, conservative lightning rod sparks hope — and strikes fear

Paul Schwartzman and Errin Whack

Lt. gov. nominee E.W. Jackson’s voice rings true to activists, but others worry about sour notes.

OPINIONS

Three reasons Congress is broken

Three reasons Congress is broken

Robert G. Kaiser

Why Capitol Hill is so helpless and so hopeless.

More Opinions

MORE HEADLINES

Bachmann’s absurd claim of an IRS health database of ‘intimate’ info

Bachmann’s absurd claim of an IRS health database of ‘intimate’ info

Glenn Kessler

FACT CHECKER | She claims the IRS will have control of your health-care secrets. Not so.

In the charming ‘Frances Ha,’ Greta Gerwig delivers a radiant star turn

In the charming ‘Frances Ha,’ Greta Gerwig delivers a radiant star turn

Ann Hornaday

MOVIE REVIEW | Four-star film is too warm and laugh-out-loud funny to be a cynical downer.

FEATURED VIDEOS

Coping with loss in Moore, Oklahoma

Coping with loss in Moore, Oklahoma

Nine-year-old Lucas Patteson’s best friend died at Plaza Towers. He and his family survived, but their house was destroyed. Now they are trying to return to normal life following one of the worst tornadoes in American history.
Oklahoma City Thunder players tour Moore

Oklahoma City Thunder players tour Moore

Residents of tornado-devastated Moore, Oklahoma got a surprise visit from members of the NBA Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. Players toured the damage and met residents. Thunder star Kevin Durant has given one million dollars to the Red Cross.
Obama’s counterterrorism speech in two minutes

Obama’s counterterrorism speech in two minutes

President Obama’s speech on counterterrorism Thursday touched on drones, renewed efforts to close Guantanamo Bay, and was interrupted by a loud heckler.
Obama to heckler: ‘Part of free speech is . . . listening’

Obama to heckler: ‘Part of free speech is . . . listening’

VIDEO | The president addresses woman after she interrupts his speech.
Life after the tornado in Moore, Okla.

Life after the tornado in Moore, Okla.

In Moore, Okla., residents, officials and volunteer workers come to grips with the aftermath of the EF-5 level tornado that levelled hundreds of homes in the town.
London assailant explains deadly attack (Contains graphic images)

London assailant explains deadly attack (Contains graphic images)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This video contains graphic images. Two men attacked a possible soldier near a London military barracks Wednesday, in what British authorities were investigating as a possible terror act. One man is dead and two others were wounded.
Florida FBI shooting has Boston bombing links

Florida FBI shooting has Boston bombing links

Law enforcement officials say a man was fatally shot while he was being questioned in the Boston Marathon bombing case after he lunged at an FBI agent with a knife.

EDITORS’ PICKS

FD/CHICKENSALAD Washington Post Studio DATE: May 7, 2008 PHOTO: Julia Ewan/TWP CAPTION: Warn Chicken Salad with Grapefruit. StaffPhoto imported to Merlin on Thu May 8 02:46:05 2008 add to credit; placemat and dinnerware from Crate and Barrel

40 summer grilling recipes

PHOTOS | Here are some appetizer, burger and dessert recipes to kick off barbecue season.

**RESTRICTIONS YOU MUST FOLLOW TO USE THIS IMAGE 1) Credit TIME and link back to TIME.com in the first or second paragraph of your post 2) Show all four corners of the image, including the credit on the bottom line large enough to be read or accompanied by credit: “© Kelli Alman/Contact Press Images”. 3) Run the photo no larger than 300px at 72 DPI** NO PRINT USAGE. HANDOUT PHOTO WITH RESTRICTIONS: 17-year-old President Obama on the night of his senior prom in Hawaii in 1979. L-R: Greg Orme (Allman's date and Obama's friend), Allman, Obama and Obama's date Megan Hughes. (Copyright Kelli Alman/Contact Press Images via Time)

President Obama’s wonder years

PHOTOS | The teen who would be president didn’t get A’s, had a cool grandfather and wore a lei to prom..

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

Photos of the day

Buddhist Wesak festival, POW reunion, bridge collapse, world’s largest Lego model and more.

I-5 bridge collapse in Washington state

No fatalities reported; collapse over Skagit River shuts down main route between Seattle and Canada.

Flexing their muscles

Dozens of bodybuilders came out to compete in the 2013 Musclemania Capital Tournament of Champions.

Terrorism cited in London attack

Two assailants hacked to death a British soldier on a busy southeast London neighborhood street Wednesday afternoon.

Assessing tornado damage in Oklahoma

Amid great destruction, residents of the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore begin to assess the severity of the twister that hit Monday.

The battle to be Mr. D.C.

Pageant contestants compete to aid hospitals.

Eye on entertainment

Carmen Electra, Barbara Eden, Sharon Stone, Goldie Hawn, Jaden Smith and more.

Animal views

Fun and fascinating creatures around the world.

POLITICS

How the IRS scandal helped immigration reform

How the IRS scandal helped immigration reform

Chris Cillizza and Sean Sullivan

THE FIX | Washington simply can't walk and chew gum.

MORE OPINIONS

The Boy Scouts vote for gay inclusion — up to a point

The Boy Scouts vote for gay inclusion — up to a point

Jonathan Capehart

Today, the organization voted to drop its ban on gay scouts. But what happens when they become adults?

LOCAL

Hedge fund billionaire tells audience at U-Va. motherhood is a focus ‘killer’

Hedge fund billionaire tells audience at U-Va. motherhood is a focus ‘killer’

Jenna Johnson

Paul Tudor Jones says as long as women have babies, men will remain at the top of the industry.

SPORTS

The Nats have no excuses

The Nats have no excuses

Thomas Boswell

COLUMN | With the most difficult part of its schedule is almost over, Washington has a big opportunity.

BUSINESS

Mr. Money Mustache answers doubters

Mr. Money Mustache answers doubters

Kelly Johnson

Yes, he has health insurance. No, he doesn’t deprive himself. And yes, he says, you can retire early too.

TECHNOLOGY

Google faces new FTC probe over display ads

Google faces new FTC probe over display ads

Craig Timberg

Federal officials have monitored firm’s conduct since its acquisition of digital ad company DoubleClick.

WORLD

Moscow says Syrian government agrees ‘in principle’ to join talks

Moscow says Syrian government agrees ‘in principle’ to join talks

Will Englund and Loveday Morris

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman says Assad indicates “tentative readiness” to join peace conference.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Post-ABC poll: Most Americans disapprove of cuts

Post-ABC poll: Most Americans disapprove of cuts

Josh Hicks and Scott Clement

Polling data shows that 56 percent of Americans disapprove of the government-wide spending cuts.

LIFESTYLE

White House press secretary Jay Carney discusses favorite band

White House press secretary Jay Carney discusses favorite band

Chris Richards

Carney, whose voice as White House mouthpiece guides the media, talks about the band that has guided him.

DISCUSSIONS

Got Plans?

Got Plans?

Transcript | Our resident going out gurus gave readers advice on the best concerts, nightlife and outdoor festivals hitting the D.C. area this weekend.

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