Treasury Secretary Geithner, center, says on Thursday more time is needed. Senate Majority Leader Reid is on the left. (AP)

Treasury Secretary Geithner, center, says on Thursday more time is needed. Senate Majority Leader Reid is on the left. (AP)

As breakthrough in bipartisan talks appear unlikely, Senate leaders search for alternate strategy.

GOP dissent complicates matters

Can U.S. soften blow to markets?

U.S. to recognize Libyan rebels as country’s legitimate government

U.S. to recognize Libyan rebels as country’s legitimate government

News paves way for rebels to receive some of Libya’s frozen U.S. assets, totaling more than $30B.

Rebekah Brooks resigns from Murdoch’s U.K. newspaper operations

Rebekah Brooks resigns from Murdoch’s U.K. newspaper operations

News International’s chief executive resigns as fallout of phone hacking scandal continues to spread.

Deal reached to end Minn. shutdown

Deal reached to end Minn. shutdown

Governor reluctantly accedes to GOP demands not to raise any taxes to balance the state’s budget.

The big questions on FEC day

The big questions on FEC day

THE FIX | What to watch for as candidates for president, Senate, House file campaign finances.

Ahmed Wali Karzai killer was U.S. ally

EXCLUSIVE | Afghan officials explore signs that the Taliban convinced police commander to switch sides.

Thousands of applicants hope ‘green card lottery’ luck strikes a 2nd time

Thousands of applicants hope ‘green card lottery’ luck strikes a 2nd time

State Department holds a new drawing today, two months after the first one was canceled.

‘I’m not a hero. I’m just a mom.’

A woman holding a toddler jumps out of a moving car on the Beltway to escape a carjacking, police say.

Mistrial in Roger Clemens perjury case

Mistrial in Roger Clemens perjury case

After prosecution error, judge’s ruling makes it uncertain whether former pitcher will ever go on trial.

Columns and Blogs

Five myths about Jane Austen

Five myths about Jane Austen

As “Sense and Sensibility” turns 200, five tall tales about the great novelist.

Featured Photo Galleries

Animal views

Exotic birds, butterflies, reptiles and deer in this week’s gallery.

‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2’

Fans across the country don costumes to attend the last film in the series.

Day in photos

Hot weather, ”Manhattanhenge,” Leonardo da Vinci’s “lost” work, dog yoga and more.

Eye on entertainment

Natalie Cole, Hilary Swank, Jay Leno, Ziggy Marley and other celebrities.

France celebrates Bastille Day

The celebration is marked with a parade down the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

Risk and its rewards

Designer Lauren Liess finds opportunity in a Herndon eyesore.

Off to the Baguette Relay Races

A local bakery substituted baguettes for batons for Bastille Day.

Rupert Murdoch’s empire

Other companies within the media titan’s empire.

2011 ESPY Awards

Serena Williams, Justin Bieber and more at the awards and red carpet.

Dismembered body of Brooklyn boy found

A boy who vanished was killed by a stranger, police said.

U.S. beats France, 3-1

American women advance to World Cup final.

Deepening humanitarian crisis in Somalia

Severe drought and fighting have put children at risk.

Explosions shake Mumbai

Three blasts ripped through India’s financial hub, killing at least 17.

Turtle diaries

Poplar Island is home to a program to foster population growth of the terrapin.

Betty Ford dies at age 93

The former first lady who fought breast cancer and addiction has died.

Our Washington

Post photographers are sharing their favorite area locations.

Featured Videos

Residents flee as Indonesian volcano erupts

Video: Residents flee as Indonesian volcano erupts

An Indonesian volcano spit lava and smoke thousands of feet into the air early Friday, sending panicked residents fleeing down its slopes. (July 14)
Fast Fix - Are there Tea Party Democrats?

Fast Fix - Are there Tea Party Democrats?

Michele Bachmann claims disaffected democrats make up a part of the tea party movement, which is generally associated with the far right. Is there truth to her claim?
GOP: 'We're in the foxhole' on debt deal

GOP: 'We're in the foxhole' on debt deal

House Republicans are blaming President Barack Obama and other Democrat leaders for the congressional impasse over raising the national debt limit, while urging them to pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. (July 14)
Final 'Harry Potter' premieres in Georgetown

Final 'Harry Potter' premieres in Georgetown

Matthew Lewis, who plays Neville Longbottom in the "Harry Potter" movie series, attends the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2" in Georgetown. (July 14)
India says no leads in Mumbai bombings

India says no leads in Mumbai bombings

India says it has no immediate leads regarding who carried out bomb attacks Wednesday evening in Mumbai, which killed at least 17 people and injured more than 130. (July 14)
Gary Locke on setting goals

Gary Locke on setting goals

The outgoing Secretary of Commerce talks about setting outrageous stretch goals for staff.
Wambach lifts U.S. to 3-1 win over France

Wambach lifts U.S. to 3-1 win over France

The United States women's soccer team is in the World Cup final for the first time since it last won the title in 1999, and once again Abby Wambach came up big for the Americans, scoring in a 3-1 victory over France on Wednesday. (July 13)
Fast Fix - The first First Husband?

Fast Fix - The first First Husband?

Political wives are the norm, but the presidential campaigns of Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin could possibly give the US its first female President, and first First Husband.
Terror attack kills at least 17, wounds scores in Mumbai

Terror attack kills at least 17, wounds scores in Mumbai

Near-simultaneous bombings killed at least 17 and wounded scores of people Wednesday evening in Mumbai, India's financial center. (July 13)
Fast Fix - Will we hit the debt ceiling?

Fast Fix - Will we hit the debt ceiling?

The federal government will default on its loans in 20 days unless politicians can reach across the aisle and come up with a deal to raise the debt ceiling, a tall order at a time when the two parties couldn’t be further apart.
Medal of Honor goes to living veteran of Afghanistan

Medal of Honor goes to living veteran of Afghanistan

President Obama awards the Medal of Honor to Afghanistan war veteran Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry. (July 12)
McConnell unveils debt ceiling 'back-up plan'

McConnell unveils debt ceiling 'back-up plan'

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) proposed a "back-up plan" that would allow Congress to raise the debt ceiling with just a one-third of votes.
Post Sports Live, July 12

Post Sports Live, July 12

The Washington Post's Jason Reid joins LaVar Arrington, Dan Steinberg and host Jonathan Forsythe to discuss the next Redskins quarterback, the Nationals at the All-Star break and the Capitals' goalies.

Featured Discussions

Harry Potter

Are you a Harry Potter expert?

Are you a Harry Potter expert?

Show off your knowledge about the generation-defining series with our 10-question OWL exam.

More conversations

Hax-Philes

Destination wedding with no guests

Destination wedding with no guests

A reader’s son wants to marry his fiancee in Capri, Italy. The problem? No one else can go.

More conversations

On Issues

Industry clusters: The next snake oil

Industry clusters: The next snake oil

Innovations | In his latest column, Wadhwa argues that industry clusters are modern-day snake oil.

Editor's Choice

Challenging DAR on genealogy

Challenging DAR on genealogy

Man takes on group after it twice rejects his claims that a relative fought against the British.

Bond built on friendship & oil

Bond built on friendship & oil

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez’s cancer reveals his partnership with Fidel Castro.

How Facebook saved a life

How Facebook saved a life

Social network helped diagnose a rare disease in boy that doctors initially missed.

Final chapter for ‘Harry Potter’

Final chapter for ‘Harry Potter’

REVIEW | There’s fun in the final film, but its couched in weighty struggles between good, evil.

A lesson in environment

A lesson in environment

Teachers are the students on the farm as they study up on a new Md. standard.

A taste of France, here

A taste of France, here

The renowned Paul bakery opens a location in the District’s Penn Quarter.

A fed’s Academy Award

A fed’s Academy Award

A preservationist is honored for finding new ways to look at old papers.

Smelly socks vs. malaria

Smelly socks vs. malaria

Tanzanian villages are using dirty footwear to lure mosquitoes into traps.

TV’s master of cheese

TV’s master of cheese

Sherwood Schwartz, who created “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Brady Bunch,” dies at 94.

It’s laundry hour

It’s laundry hour

NIGHT LIVES | The spin cycle brings people in and out of a 24-hour laundromat.

At camp, everyone’s a winner

At camp, everyone’s a winner

At Camp Accomplish, kids with disabilities and kids without share same kinds of fun.

A presidential history lesson

A presidential history lesson

The White House hosts a lacrosse clinic to celebrate the sport’s Native American origins.

‘No, see, we do ride’

‘No, see, we do ride’

As biking faces a backlash, black women cyclists seek to dispel stereotypes.

Battling terrorism in Minn.

Battling terrorism in Minn.

One Muslim activist struggles to steer Somali American youths from the lure of the jihad.

Memorable vacation moments

Memorable vacation moments

YOUR PHOTOS | From street scenes to strolls on the beach, readers share photos.

Politics

Star on the trail has less sway on Hill

Rep. Michele Bachmann has had more success as a campaigner than she has as a legislator.

(Win McNamee / GETTY IMAGES)

Diversions

Entertainment News

A look at this year’s Emmy noms

A look at this year’s Emmy noms

“The Kennedys” will finally get a showing on broadcast TV after it snagged 10 Emmy nominations.

A toilsome turning of the century

A toilsome turning of the century

John Sayles’s novel is a lumpy enterprise, especially for a director known for his economic storytelling.

Lifestyle

Water, water everywhere

Water, water everywhere

Six excursions worth diving into, from crab-boat tours on the Potomac to canine cruises.

Embracing what’s real

Embracing what’s real

Manipulated photos create haunting images in a new exhibit at the Art Museum of the Americas.

Special Reports

Muslims in America

A decade after the Sept. 11 attacks, The Washington Post examines the struggle by Muslims to reconcile their American identity with their faith.

Redistricting 2011

Exploring the changing electoral landscape after the 2010 Census

Campaign 2012

Campaig and election news & analysis from The Washington Post

The Hunt

Inside the search for Osama bin Laden, which required new tactics and lasted almost 10 years.

Recession Road

Photographer Michael S. Williamson travels the nation to meet those affected by the recession.

Outlook’s 5 myths

Writers break down what you think you know about gas prices, the suburbs, Lincoln and more.

Final chapter for ‘Harry Potter’

REVIEW | There’s fun in the final film, but its couched in weighty struggles between good, evil.

Million-Dollar Wasteland

Ongoing Washington Post investigation into how HUD has mismanaged affordable housing.

States of play

KIDSPOST | See if you can use the map to guess which state answers the following clues.

Civil War 150

Washington Post special coverage of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War.

High School Challenge

A look at the rankings for more than 1,900 public high schools nationwide.

The Royal Wedding

Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange vows at Westminster Abbey as the world watches.

The Fact Checker

Glenn Kessler “truth squads” the statements of political figures regarding important issues.

Images from Afghan War

Continuing coverage of the conflict in Afghanistan by photographers on the front lines.

‘It changes who you are’

Post’s in-depth look at traumatic brain injuries was a Pulitzer finalist for explanatory reporting.

Top Secret America

The Post explores the top secret world the government created in response to the attacks of Sept. 11.