Mystery company buys tax liens ‘like a machine’

The tax-lien purchaser Aeon, which lists no owners, has threatened families in D.C., Md. and Ohio with foreclosure.

Mideast water deal will help refill disappearing Dead Sea

Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority agree on a $500M desalination project to create drinking water.

Previous winners of the Heisman Trophy. (AP/Heisman Trust)

For each Heisman, a story to tell

One of the 78 that have been issued was stolen and thrown out. Another lost its fingers in an airport metal detector. And the whereabouts of O.J. Simpson’s trophy were, for months, unknown.

Several inches of snow could snarl morning commute in Washington

Several inches of snow could snarl morning commute in Washington

WEATHER GANG | The region could get 2 to 5 inches of snow, starting around Tuesday’s rush hour.

Eleanor Parker 1922-2013

Baroness in ‘The Sound of Music’ was known for range of parts she played

Baroness in ‘The Sound of Music’ was known for range of parts she played

In more than 45 films, she used wigs, makeup and accents to play sad, flawed or despicable roles.

Ancient lake on Mars was ‘drinkable’

Ancient lake on Mars was ‘drinkable’

NASA’s rover has discovered evidence of a “fresh water” lake that could have harbored life.

Editors’ Picks

Musician Carlos Santana (L) is escorted as he arrives with fellow 2013 Kennedy Center honorees for a reception at the White House in Washington, December 8, 2013. Musicians Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel and Santana, as well as opera singer Martina and actress Shirley MacLain are being honored this year for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.  REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT)

Kennedy Center honorees feted

PHOTOS | Martina Arroyo, Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel, Shirley MacLaine and Carlos Santana are honored.

KAKA, TURKMENISTAN - APRIL 10: Two women fight for a prize that had been announced by a man following a wedding, whoever wins the fight will be awarded the prize, in Kaka, Turkmenistan on April 10, 2013. Small fights like this is a wedding tradition within Turkmenistan. (Photo by Pavel Prokopchik) **ONE TIME USAGE ONLY, MANDATORY CREDIT, NO TRADE, NO SALE, NO SYNDICATION**

Secrets of an authoritarian state

PHOTOS | Turkmenistan, a country of 5 million people, has grown more remote from the rest of the world.

Featured Photo Galleries

Photos of the day

China pollution, Kiev protesters destroy Lenin statue, winter weather, Kim Jong Un’s uncle purged and more.

Crisis in the Central African Republic

French troops begin disarming fighters after a swell in sectarian violence that has claimed hundreds of lives.

Winter storm hits D.C. area with snow, ice

Sleet and freezing rain create conditions that lead to early-morning crashes and school closings as the workweek begins.

Past and present in Nuremberg

The German city is famous for its Christmas Market and its respect for history.

Grammy Awards nominations concert

CBS hosted an hour-long telecast announcing the nominees for the Jan. 26 award show.

Nelson Mandela, beloved statesman, is mourned

People gathered outside his house in Johannesburg to express their sadness after his death at age 95.

‘The Last Ocean’

Photographic journey of the Ross Sea.

Cold snap makes its way across U.S.

The cold front that made it to D.C. had already hit areas from California to Missouri.

Politics

Hillary the cautious (and why it matters for 2016)

Hillary the cautious (and why it matters for 2016)

THE FIX | The former Secretary of State is risk-averse to a fault. That’s a problem for her if she runs for president in 2016.

More Opinions

No love for gays in Putin’s Russia

No love for gays in Putin’s Russia

POST PARTISAN | Russia’s anti-gay laws are scary on paper. But, as Masha Gessen made plain, those laws are more frightening in reality.

Lifestyle

Sonia Sotomayor’s dress and other revelations from the Kennedy Center Honors after-party

Sonia Sotomayor’s dress and other revelations from the Kennedy Center Honors after-party

The glory of the Kennedy Center Honors is A-listers from all walks of life schmooshed together in intimate, unexpected ways.

Arts

Thriller: ‘The Dinosaur Feather,’ by S.J. Gazan

Thriller: ‘The Dinosaur Feather,’ by S.J. Gazan

Maureen Corrigan calls this Danish novel the weirdest and most ingenious new mystery in years.

Local

D.C. police investigating reports of sex assaults at Wilson Pool in NW D.C.

After a 23-year-old woman said she was raped in locker room, two more young women come forward.

Sports

Shanahan considers benching RGIII

Shanahan considers benching RGIII

REDSKINS BLOG | THE INSIDER | The Redskins’ head coach says he wants to protect his star quarterback from injury.

Technology

NSA, CIA, other intelligence agencies target online games

NSA, CIA, other intelligence agencies target online games

Newly revealed documents suggest that U.S. and British authorities were monitoring Xbox Live users.

Business

Here’s what sequestration will look like in 2014

Here’s what sequestration will look like in 2014

WONKBLOG | A closer look at why Republicans may actually agree to increase spending (somewhat) next year.

Real Estate

House Watch | Green groups push consumers to healthy building materials

House Watch | Green groups push consumers to healthy building materials

Advocates seek wider use of environmentally friendly new pipes, paint and carpeting.

Federal Government

Would cuts to federal-retiree benefits impact recruitment and retention?

Would cuts to federal-retiree benefits impact recruitment and retention?

FEDERAL EYE | Requiring federal employees to pay more toward their retirement benefits likely would hurt retention, but effect on recruitment less certain, study says.

World

Presidents, royalty expected for Mandela memorial

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are among the dignitaries set to attend.

Discussions

Web Hostess

Web Hostess

Q&A TRANSCRIPT | Why we fall for Internet hoaxes ... and how they’re making us jaded.

Diversions