After pushing through some of the most sweeping and contentious environmental measures in years, the Obama administration has slowed action on several policies as it calculates what it should undertake before the end of the term. Read full article > >

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Obama administration slows environmental rules as it weighs political cost

They are two of Washington’s architectural and historical gems: The Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Avenue and the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building on the Mall. The good news is that both are slated for renovation and what the bureaucrats like to call “re-purposing.” The bad news is that, in both cases, the process is headed in the wrong direction. Read full article > >

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What D.C. doesn’t need: a Trump Tower

Procter & Gamble’s failure to raise the price of Cascade dishwashing soap shows why investors are buying Treasuries at the lowest yields in history, giving the Federal Reserve more scope to boost the economy. Read full article > >

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Sign that bond market backs 3rd quantitative-easing round? Check Huggies’ price.

Nicklas Backstrom stood outside the Washington Capitals’ dressing room Thursday night at Verizon Center, leaning against a doorway in a charcoal gray suit. He caught up with his Swedish countrymen from that evening’s opponent, and occasionally cracked just the slightest smile. Read full article > >

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Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has ‘day-to-day’ struggle with concussion

Just weeks ago, Muscovites were suffering through an unseasonably warm winter. They were feeling your pain, Washington, and it was brutal. Much of Russia spends more than half the year in wintry conditions. Boots go on in October and come off in April. Gym class at school means cross-country skiing in the nearest park. A well-cared-for baby requires frequent outings in the coldest temperatures. There’s nothing like fresh air. Read full article > >

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In Russia, cold is a matter of degree

Just weeks ago, Muscovites were suffering through an unseasonably warm winter. They were feeling your pain, Washington, and it was brutal. Much of Russia spends more than half the year in wintry conditions. Boots go on in October and come off in April. Gym class at school means cross-country skiing in the nearest park. A well-cared-for baby requires frequent outings in the coldest temperatures. There’s nothing like fresh air. Read full article > >

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In Russia, cold is a matter of degree

BEIRUT — Fears of an as-yet-undefined Middle Eastern war are darkening the horizons of a Middle East that only a year ago was celebrating the fall of dictators, the ascent of people power and the promise of a new era of democracy. Read full article > >

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Threats of war cloud hopes for Middle East

For most of three quarters on Friday, the Washington Wizards played with enough ambition and resolve that on other nights may have been sufficient to produce a victory. The opponent in this case, though, was reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami, so an incomplete performance instead yielded a 106-89 loss before a Verizon Center crowd of 20,282 that booed the Heat’s LeBron James at virtually every turn. Read full article > >

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Wizards vs. Heat: Dwyane Wade torches Washington as Miami rolls to 106-89 win at Verizon Center

For most of three quarters on Friday, the Washington Wizards played with enough ambition and resolve that on other nights may have been sufficient to produce a victory. The opponent in this case, though, was reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami, so an incomplete performance instead yielded a 106-89 loss before a Verizon Center crowd of 20,282 that booed the Heat’s LeBron James at virtually every turn. Read full article > >

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Wizards vs. Heat: Dwyane Wade torches Washington as Miami rolls to 106-89 win at Verizon Center

BEIJING — As China moves to invest billions in businesses around the world, one major industrial nation has so far soaked up very little of the cash: the United States. The issue will be on the agenda next week during Vice President Xi Jinping ’s official visit to the United States. The Obama administration has made seeking Chinese investment a priority, with an eye toward creating more American jobs. But the flow of funds dropped sharply last year, and experts say the task is complicated by a perception that the United States is an unfriendly place for Chinese investors. Read full article > >

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U.S. says it wants investment, but China remains wary

BEIJING — As China moves to invest billions in businesses around the world, one major industrial nation has so far soaked up very little of the cash: the United States. The issue will be on the agenda next week during Vice President Xi Jinping ’s official visit to the United States. The Obama administration has made seeking Chinese investment a priority, with an eye toward creating more American jobs. But the flow of funds dropped sharply last year, and experts say the task is complicated by a perception that the United States is an unfriendly place for Chinese investors. Read full article > >

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U.S. says it wants investment, but China remains wary

All elected officials, and those who help finance elections in the expectation that certain promises will be kept — and everyone who cares about the rule of law — should hope the Supreme Court agrees to hear Don Siegelman’s appeal of his conviction. Until the court clarifies what constitutes quid pro quo political corruption, Americans engage in politics at their peril because prosecutors have dangerous discretion to criminalize politics. Read full article > >

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Is it bribery or just politics?

Mitt Romney’s recent losses to Rick Santorum in Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota revealed a truism that Romney might want to study — but not too much! Parting with one’s dreams isn’t only sweet sorrow, it also can be liberating. Beneath the sorrow and alongside the liberation, one finds not only peace but often oneself. Read full article > >

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Mitt Romney and the power of losing

Blue Ivy Carter, the much-heralded baby daughter of Beyonce and Jay-Z , has officially made her public debut. The president and first lady of hip-hop have shared their first baby photos via Jay-Z’s Web site, Life + Times , an apparent follow-up to Beyonce’s public appearances earlier this week, her inaugural ones since giving birth . Read full article > >

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Blue Ivy Carter: The first photos of Beyonce and Jay-Z’s baby have been revealed

Even though I didn’t know Yeardley Love, I feel that we had a lot in common. Our early lives were both marked by privilege. We both discovered and tested our strength in the burgeoning world of female athletics. We both went away to college — looking forward to bright futures as strong, able women — and were drawn to charismatic athletes from similar worlds of affluence and entitlement. Read full article > >

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Yeardley Love’s story — and mine