President chides Republicans as shutdown looms

After the Senate passes a short-term spending bill, sending it to a divided House, President Obama urges the GOP to “knock it off” and pass a budget.

Why a government shutdown would actually cost money

The government and the private sector would both pay a price, experts say.

Obama speaks with leader of Iran in a first since 1979

BERJAYA

Obama talks with Rouhani today. (Pete Souza/The White House)

The president says he spoke with President Hassan Rouhani by phone, another step in a warming relationship.

When it comes to income inequality, the U.S. ranks below Nigeria

When it comes to income inequality, the U.S. ranks below Nigeria

WORLD VIEWS | The rich-poor gap is greater in the U.S. than anywhere in the developed world.

United plane captain dies after suffering mid-flight heart attack

Henry Skillern, 63, was piloting a flight from Houston to Seattle. An off-duty pilot took over control of the plane.

‘Blue Caprice’: D.C. sniper drama is impressive and ultimately cold

‘Blue Caprice’: D.C. sniper drama is impressive and ultimately cold

MOVIE REVIEW | The film features standout performances but never probes the 2002 spree.

Answers to your questions

Shutdown: Can John Boehner exercise any control at all over his caucus?

Shutdown: Can John Boehner exercise any control at all over his caucus?

TRANSCRIPT | The Fix’s Chris Cillizza answered questions on everything from Ted Cruz’s talkathon to the looming House showdown.

Obamacare: How are initial premiums set and what are they based on?

Obamacare: How are initial premiums set and what are they based on?

TRANSCRIPT | Health and science reporter Michelle Andrews took your questions on how the health-care law affects you.

Editors’ Picks

Emma Dumitrescu, 17-years old, a model, poses to show the world's longest wedding dress train during a Guinness World Record attempt in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, March 20, 1012.  Romania has set the world record for the world's longest bridal train.  The nearly 3-kilometer (1.86-mile) long ivory train, which took 100 days to stitch, was showcased dramatically on Tuesday on the boulevard leading up to the giant palace built by late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, not pictured.  The previous record was 2.488 Km. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

The strangest world records

PHOTOS | From the biggest nude roller-coaster ride to the tallest dog, here are some wacky successes.

WASHINGTON, DC- NOVEMBER 3:  Applesauce tart             photographed  on November 3, 2010.  (Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post)

Apple recipes for a fall feast

PHOTOS | A tart, cider-glazed pork and a pudding cake are among our all-time favorite apple recipes.

Picks of the Week 

He had the type of tumor that killed Ted Kennedy. A vaccine saved him.

He had the type of tumor that killed Ted Kennedy. A vaccine saved him.

After surgery and radiation did not help, a retired Virginia doctor finds a different approach is working.

Pope Francis, the troublemaker

Pope Francis, the troublemaker

OPINION | With a new message, it’s evident that this pope intends to be a disruptive force.

Grover Norquist, surprisingly funny

Grover Norquist, surprisingly funny

VIDEO | Here's what the tax-reform advocate thinks about finding France on a map. It's the best thing we've seen all week.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 13: (R) Rep. Steve Southerland shares a light moment with Fannie Chaney during a break in her training session at America Works, a job training program for people who hope to gain new skills for the job market. SNAP recipients such as Chaney would not lose their benefits while training under amendments proposed by Southerland. Rep. Steve Southerland II (Florida, District 2) wants the SNAP program reformed to include job training and other changes.(Photo by Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

Southerland with a trainee at a job program. (Post)

47M Americans use food stamps. This lawmaker wants them to work.

Persuading Congress to require adults to work or volunteer is Rep. Steve Southerland’s toughest job.

Featured Photo Galleries

BERJAYA

Photos of the day

Base jumping in Malaysia, Pakistan fashion show, tattoo festival, Tuskegee Airmen honored and more.

BERJAYA

Mumbai building collapses

A residential building collapsed in India’s financial capital early Friday, killing at least three people.

BERJAYA

Antique Chevrolet auction

Approximately 500 leftover cars from a 50-year Nebraska dealership have been sitting in a field or in storage for years.

BERJAYA

Peru’s melting glaciers

Twenty-two percent of the surface area of Peruvian glaciers has disappeared in the past 30 years.

BERJAYA

Life of a panda cub, so far

The giant panda born to Mei Xiang at the National Zoo on Aug. 23 celebrated her first month of life last week.

BERJAYA

Smithsonian receives Jim Henson puppets

The National Museum of American History received more than 20 puppets and props from the Henson family.

BERJAYA

Vying to be the largest, shortest, longest, most ...

Weird, wacky and sometimes gross, people everywhere try to set new world records.

BERJAYA

Animal views

Pandas, Capricorn goats, Russian bear rescue, white rhinos, Detroit’s abandoned dogs and more.

Politics

N.J. judge legalizes gay marriage

N.J. judge legalizes gay marriage

GOVBEAT | Gay marriages will begin Oct. 21 after a New Jersey judge ruled gay couples are missing out on federal benefits.

More Opinions

An independent voice at the NSA

An independent voice at the NSA

The agency needs more transparency and better oversight.

Sports

On list of problems, it’s safety first

On list of problems, it’s safety first

Redskins hoped rookies and improved health would stabilize the secondary; so far, that hasn’t happened.

Business

Retirement in a nutshell for many today: Not happening

Retirement in a nutshell for many today: Not happening

More seniors who spent careers as corporate professionals are competing for low-wage jobs.

Technology

Carlyle Group jumps into music scene

The D.C.-based private equity firm is putting money to work with a minority purchase of Dr. Dre headsets.

World

Decades after Holocaust, Germany asks what it owes Jews

Decades after Holocaust, Germany asks what it owes Jews

The answer, as measured by a vote in a small southwestern city, is not much.

Federal Government

Shutdown could carry pay risk even for ‘essential’ employees kept on the job

FEDERAL EYE | Federal workers kept on the job would lose the guarantee of retroactive pay if they missed work during shutdown.

Lifestyle

Kanye vs. Kimmel: A real ‘rap feud’?

Kanye vs. Kimmel: A real ‘rap feud’?

Rapper Kanye West aired his beef with late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel on Twitter.

Discussions

Carolyn Hax

Carolyn Hax

Readers asked our advice columnist about baby prep, holiday etiquette and mourning a loved one.

Diversions