Lobbyists get ready for fight over tax reform

Momentum has quietly been building toward a once-in-a-generation push to overhaul federal taxes, and that has Washington's influence industry preparing for battle.

For plaintiffs in historic case, a simple goal: Each other

For plaintiffs in historic case, a simple goal: Each other

Couple at heart of court challenge to Calif.’s ban on gay marriage.

The F-35 Lightning II during the test phase. (U.S. Navy)

Around F-35, a budgetary force field

The reasons for the Joint Strike Fighter’s relative immunity from budget cuts provide a stark illustration of why it is so difficult to reduce the country’s defense spending.

Susan Rice emerges as front-runner
for Obama’s national security adviser

Susan Rice emerges as front-runner <br>for Obama’s national security adviser

White House post does not require Senate confirmation, avoiding another battle over Benghazi.

After baby’s death, a Va. mom fights for stronger child-care standards

After baby’s death, a Va. mom fights for stronger child-care standards

Caregiver was running an unlicensed, unregulated and perfectly legal family day care.

The church looks different, but will new pope reflect new demographics?

The church looks different, but will new pope reflect new demographics?

Two-thirds of Catholics are from developing countries, while most cardinals are white Europeans.

Ten years ago this month, the
Iraq war began. So did we win?

Ten years ago this month, the <br>Iraq war began. So did we win?

OUTLOOK | Sure, U.S. troops captured Baghdad and overthrew Saddam Hussein. Does it matter?

Yes to penknives, no to shampoo

Yes to penknives, no to shampoo

OPINION | The TSA loosens its restrictions for carry-on luggage, but the system is still absurd.

Featured Videos

A worthy opponent: A history of the Georgetown-Syracuse rivalry

A worthy opponent: A history of the Georgetown-Syracuse rivalry

Over the past 33 years, Georgetown and Syracuse have been one of the most contentious rivalries in college basketball, but as Syracuse prepares to leave the Big East conference for the ACC and Georgetown moves to the Catholic 7 next year, former players, coaches, journalists and alumni recall the history of the rivalry.
Sistine chimney installed at Vatican

Sistine chimney installed at Vatican

The Vatican sought Saturday to quash speculation that divisions among cardinals, while preparations for the vote plowed ahead with firefighters installing the chimney that will tell the world when a decision has been reached.
Suicide bomb detonated as warning to Hagel

Suicide bomb detonated as warning to Hagel

The Taliban has taken responsibility for a suicide bombing outside the Afghan Ministry of Defense as a warning to visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
Daylight Saving Time causes global confusion

Daylight Saving Time causes global confusion

Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend but some people are petitioning to get rid of it altogether.
The ‘Wizard of Oz’ backstory

The ‘Wizard of Oz’ backstory

As "Oz The Great and Powerful" is released to audiences on the big screen, a little town in upstate New York has already watched the movie because it's the birthplace of the creator of the "Wizard of Oz" series.
Facebook news feed gets a facelift

Facebook news feed gets a facelift

It has been eight years since Facebook introduced the news feed to its users, with minimal functions added since then. But soon the social networking site will give its news feed a revamp, both visually and functionally.
Cedric Givens, backwards jogger

Cedric Givens, backwards jogger

Cedric Givens, 60, has been jogging backwards—and spinning, and yelling, and singing— from his house on H St NE to the White House and back since 1984. What began as a simple, forward jog first turned into a race against metro buses, and when that became too easy, a backwards jog for several miles, every other day, rain or shine.

Don’t Miss . . .

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 25:  Cedric Givens, 60, runs from his home in Northeast Washington, DC to the White House and back on Thursday October 25, 2012 in Washington, DC.  Givens has been running backwards since 1984 and also incorporates spins into his run.  (Photo by Matt McClain for The Washington Post)

Running in reverse

THE MAGAZINE | Cedric Givens, 60, has run backward through downtown D.C. since Reagan was in office.

The cheeseburger at Palena 
In a city that teems with burgers, few are more revered than the one chef Frank Ruta serves at his Cleveland Park restaurant Palena. Angus beef laced with dry-aged steak, truffled cheese and a brioche bun made in-house make the difference. 'Take one bite into the incredibly tender, juicy patty, and you're in for a transcendent experience,' wrote Bethesda's Brett and Rachel Gellman, who blog about their culinary adventures at DMV Dining.

40 dishes Washingtonians must try

PHOTOS | Check out this year’s reader-nominated roundup of the area’s delicious, iconic dishes.

Featured Photo Galleries

Georgetown downs Syracuse, win Big East

In their final faceoff as conference foes, the Hoyas beat the Orange 61-39 to win the conference title.

Kenya gets a new president

Uhuru Kenyatta won the election by 50.07 percent of the vote, avoiding a runoff, officials say.

The military’s next-generation fighter jet

The F-35 will have versions for the Navy, Marines and Air Force.

The world’s embalmed leaders

Hugo Chavez will join eight other world leaders whose remains are on display for eternity. Here’s a look at his company.

Crufts dog show

The Crufts dog show in England features more than 25,000 dogs.

Day in photos

International Women’s Day, a liberated Mali, Hugo Chavez’s funeral, a world-record in fake-mustache-wearing and more.

Eye on entertainment

Leonardo DiCaprio, Allison Williams, Naomi Watts, James Franco and other celebrities.

Rethink Robotics

Baxter is the flagship product built by the company and is billed as America’s first adaptive manufacturing robot.

Featured Discussions

Live Q&A;

Emily Bazelon on kids and social media

Emily Bazelon on kids and social media

Emily Bazelon, author of “Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy” chatted with readers on how social media use among kids impacts bullying.

Full chat schedule

2013 Post Hunt

Post Hunt practice puzzle challenge

Post Hunt practice puzzle challenge

The 2013 Post Hunt is Sunday, June 2. Can't wait until then? Here is a practice puzzle to get you in the mood. Figure out the puzzle and you could win a Post Hunt T-shirt.

More conversations

Politics

How are the sequester cuts affecting you?

President Obama and congressional leaders failed to reach an agreement to avoid the steep budget cuts known as the sequester. Share your story on how the cuts are impacting you.

(Spencer Platt / GETTY IMAGES)

Diversions

Entertainment News

Country music’s new real deal

Country music’s new real deal

Kacey Musgraves’s new album offers straightforward storytelling — no throwaway lyrics — on her terms.

Well, hello again, ‘Dolly!’

Well, hello again, ‘Dolly!’

As a new production prepares to hit Ford’s stage, Carol Channing and other cast originals reminisce.

Lifestyle

Two-stepping a path across Texas

Two-stepping a path across Texas

The best way to break up a long drive across Texas may be a round of boot-scootin’ boogie nights.

Learning to be a surfer in Carlsbad

Learning to be a surfer in Carlsbad

The author and his family spend a late-summer vacation in the beach town of Carlsbad, Calif.