The Washington Post - Breaking news and latest headlines, U.S. news, world news, and video

AMERICAN ICONDeadly weapon, divided nation

Many police officers now carry AR-15s. They still feel outgunned.

America’s obsession with the AR-15 has consequences. In policing, the weapon on any given day can be an officer’s greatest threat or their most important tool.

Story by Robert Klemko | Photography by Joshua Lott

NASHVILLE SCHOOL SHOOTING

In Congress, little urgency to address gun violence with legislation

“I would say we’ve gone about as far as we can go,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), a key negotiator of a bipartisan gun control package that passed last year.

By Marianna Sotomayor and Liz Goodwin23 minutes ago

MORE COVERAGE

Mike Hill and Katherine Koonce were among the six victims at the Covenant School. (AP)

Remembering the students and staff killed

By Karina Elwood, Lori Rozsa, Justine McDaniel, Praveena Somasundaram and Rachel Hatzipanagos

Pope Francis hospitalized with respiratory infection, Vatican says

He has experienced breathing difficulty and is seeking treatment for “a few days” at the Gemelli hospital in Rome.

By Stefano Pitrelli and Sammy Westfall33 minutes ago

Destruction lies in the wake of Friday’s EF4 tornado. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Post)

As a monstrous tornado neared Mississippi town, residents say sirens were silent

In places where not everyone has a reliable cellphone or signal, especially in poor, rural communities, the sirens are considered crucial. But many Rolling Fork residents say they didn’t hear sirens before the deadly tornado.

By Anumita Kaur, Emmanuel Felton and Kasha Patel