HIGH RADIATION LEVELS FORCE JAPAN TO ABORT HELICOPTER MISSION AT PLANT

Officials are trying to find another way to cool overheated materials at nuclear plant after plan to have helicopter pour seawater was deemed too dangerous. Above, medical staff screen an evacuee for possible radiation exposure. | Story by Brian Vastag, Rick Maese; photo by Reuters | 7:20 a.m. ET

Pakistan said to release CIA contractor

Pakistan said to release CIA contractor

American released after families of two killed were given “blood money,” Pakistani officials said.

Relief at airports: ‘Trusted travelers’?

Relief at airports: ‘Trusted travelers’?

Treating every airport passenger as a potential terrorist threat slows the security system, a new report says.

Palin’s ratings among GOP sliding

Palin’s ratings among GOP sliding

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll reveals a potentially troubling sign for the former Alaska governor.

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Gaddafi’s forces mount heavy assault

Gaddafi’s forces mount heavy assault

Forces loyal to the Libyan leader launch a major assault on a strategic eastern city.

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Glenn Kessler

 Glenn Kessler

Analogy earns a Geppetto

Any merit to the statistic Rodgers offers on the budget ratio?

Sally Jenkins

 Sally Jenkins

NFL fans being stuck with bills

Why should owners get to padlock stadiums taxpayers helped buy?

Carolyn Hax

 Carolyn Hax

In-laws may be annoying, but right

They want to visit a relative who has a toddler, and stay with kidless couple.

Ed O'Keefe

 Ed O'Keefe

Many support women in combat

Poll results come out as the Pentagon prepares to review policy.

Market Watch

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 Last Update: 09:30 AM 03/16/2011

Featured Opinions

Call me a deficit panda

Call me a deficit panda

It is possible to worry about the debt and believe in a compassionate government.

Mad Hatters

Mad Hatters

In state legislatures, Tea Partyers take democracy to absurd lengths.

Featured Galleries

Day in photos

Japan nuclear reactor fire, WikiLeaks supporters and more in the day in photos

Frank Buckles burial

The last known of the nearly 5 million American veterans of World War I, Frank Buckles, is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Eye on entertainment

Justin Bieber, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, and more in eye on entertainment.

A glimpse of George Ault

PHOTOS | The misanthropic painter was never as famous as Norman Rockwell but much more interesting.

Satellite photos of Japan, before and after the earthquake and tsunami

Aerial photos taken over Japan have revealed the scale of devastation.

Death, devastation grip Japan following quake

One day after 8.9-magnitude quake officials deal with recovery efforts, reactor blast.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Images from Washington Post staff photographer Ricky Carioti from the Eastern Shore.

Bryce Harper: The Nationals’ next big thing

If the 18-year-old baseball phenom can avoid the pitfalls of fame at an early age, he’ll owe it to family.

Unrest in Tunisia

Violent street protests in Tunis,Tunisia, over the weekend killed five.

Hidden workforce challenges economic recovery

Workers who lost jobs but are not currently looking for new ones are not counted in the Labor Department’s unemployment rate.

Gallery: It’s just jumpers

About 60 jumpers and their horses took part in a competition in Herndon on Sunday.

Duke tops Virginia Tech, 77-63

Duke claims a spot in the ACC tournament final with the victory at Greensboro Coliseum.

New Forever stamps honor Latin music legends

The U.S. Postal Service is releasing several new stamps that commemorate Latin performers.

Gridiron Dinner draws journalists, public figures

An expected crowd of 650 attended the dinner in Washington.

Late Mardi Gras meets spring break

Revelers bared flesh and threw beads on Bourbon Street.

NCAA basketball: Virginia Tech beats Florida State, 52-51

The Hokies barely ousted the Seminoles Friday night.

Featured Videos

The Fast Fix- Palin's unpopularity

Video: The Fast Fix- Palin's unpopularity

Why is Sarah Palin so unpopular right now?
Fire erupts again at Japanese nuclear plant

Fire erupts again at Japanese nuclear plant

The operator of Japan's Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant says a fire has broken out again at its No. 4 reactor unit. It says the blaze erupted early Wednesday in the outer housing of the reactor's containment vessel. (March 15)
Americans in Japan: We ran for our lives

Americans in Japan: We ran for our lives

A pair of Americans who were teaching in Northeastern Japan say they had to run for their lives and then watch as the town they were in filled with water from the tsunami. (March 15)
Post Sports Live, March 15

Post Sports Live, March 15

The Washington Post's LaVar Arrington, Tracee Hamilton, Dan Steinberg and Jonathan Forsythe preview the NCAA Tournament, reveal their Final 4 picks and discuss Georgetown and George Mason's chances in the tourney.
Digging for whale fossils in Virginia

Digging for whale fossils in Virginia

Alton Dooley has been digging for miocene-era whale fossils at the Martin Marietta Carmel Church quarry excavation site for about 20 years. One of the richest fossil beds on the east coast, especially for the miocene era, the dig yields an alternative spring break for Virginia college students, as well as hundreds of prehistoric whale and shark fossils.
Japan evacuees describe 'tipping point'

Japan evacuees describe 'tipping point'

While waiting on departing flights at Tokyo's Handea Airport, students, residents and tourists describe the tipping point that convinced them that it was time to leave Japan.
Japan's devastation from ground level

Japan's devastation from ground level

New video from Japan is showing the extent of the devastation from cities obliterated by both the quake and the following Tsunami. (March 14)
Fuel rods exposed at Japan nuke plant

Fuel rods exposed at Japan nuke plant

There's been more trouble at Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant. With cooling systems down, fuel rods have been exposed at the facility's Unit 2 reactor, and there was an explosion at Unit 3. (March 14)
Moment of impact: Tsunami hits Minami Sanriku

Moment of impact: Tsunami hits Minami Sanriku

Amateur video captures the force of the tsunami's arrival in Japan. The waves devastate entire blocks in Miyagi Prefecture, with some residents narrowly escaping, as captured by this photographer. (March 14)
Obama 'heartbroken' over Japan devastation

Obama 'heartbroken' over Japan devastation

Obama pledges the United States 'will stand with the people of Japan' in difficult days ahead. (March 14)
Japan satellite images before and after tsunami

Japan satellite images before and after tsunami

Satellite images taken of Japan before and after the tsunami and earthquake struck reveal the heavily-damaged nuclear plant and how homes and green fields have been wiped out.
Japan earthquake a 9.0, casualties at 1400

Japan earthquake a 9.0, casualties at 1400

The magnitude of the initial earthquake has been increased to 9.0 and the death toll is up to 1400 casualties with fears the number could exceed 10,000. (March 13)
Japan tsunami the moment it hit

Japan tsunami the moment it hit

Amateur footage shows boats being overturned in the fishing port of Miyako, Japan and cars being carried away in Kamaishi city. (March 13)

Featured Discussions

Free Range on Food

Free Range on Food

Ready to discuss all things culinary? Join us as the Free Rangers discuss the latest in food.

Editor's choice

George Ault and the 1940s

George Ault and the 1940s

REVIEW | “To Make a World,” takes a focused and intense look at the wartime home front.

‘Chosen’: Theater J’s wise pick

‘Chosen’: Theater J’s wise pick

REVIEW | Production is a rare literary adaptation that allows us to believe its characters.

Who gets to cover the team?

Who gets to cover the team?

Professional and big-time college teams aren’t just news sources; they’re providers, too.

Why do patients lie?

Why do patients lie?

The greater the social stigma, the less likely the patient is to disclose it.

Taking SXSW by storm

Taking SXSW by storm

@innovations: Follow along as Post staffers share news from the interactive festival in Austin.

Dear Prudence offers advice

Dear Prudence offers advice

How to deal with a friend’s cell phone video that presents you in an unflattering manner.

Diversions

Entertainment news

Memorial for Jane Pesci-Townsend

Memorial for Jane Pesci-Townsend

BACKSTAGE | Singer, actress and teacher, who died in August of renal cancer, was a popular musical theater and cabaret performer.

‘Bachelor,’ bride-to-be kaput?

CELEBRITOLOGY | On show’s finale, Brad Womack proposed to — spoiler alert! — single mom Emily Maynard. You may not want to gifts yet, though.

Lifestyle

Hard to swallow a $90 Va. wine?

Hard to swallow a $90 Va. wine?

RdV Vineyards in Fauquier County is trying to show the Old Dominion can produce top wines.

Serving the patron in chief

Serving the patron in chief

What goes on before, during and after a restaurant visit by the president and the first family.

Special reports

The hidden life of guns

An in-depth investigation into how guns move through American society, from store counter to crime scene.

Two Worlds

After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, billions went to entities known as Alaska native corporations. Then the problems began.

Top Secret America

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

Best of The Post 2010

Our seventh annual installment showcases the most striking visual content produced in 2010.

‘It changes who you are’

In-depth look at traumatic brain injury, and how it can permanently alter a soldier’s personality.

Obama and oil drilling

Just before the BP blowout, President Obama confidently talked about the safety of deepwater drilling. Why?

Peeps Show IV

With over 1,100 gooey submissions, it was hard to choose a winner. Take a look at the top 38 entries: They’re sweet.

Scene in

The Washington Post’s Alexandra Garcia hits the streets to find out what’s hip around D.C.

The Fast Fix

Watch Chris Cillizza’s insightful and entertaining political analysis in 60 seconds.

America votes

Ordinary voters address their thoughts on government and the midterm campaign season.

Tweeting the Civil War

The Post is tweeting the Civil War in the words of the people who lived it -- from journals, letters, records and newspapers.