Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Washington’s gas tax is going up, but state transportation revenue is falling short
Washington state’s gas tax, already among the highest in the nation, is going up next week. The state’s per-gal…
UK's France curbs irk travelers; health chief tests positive
LONDON (AP) — Tourists and the travel industry vented frustration and anger on Saturday after Britain reversed a plan to ease travel restrictions on France just two days after they were due to start, citing concern…
Europe flood death toll tops 150, costly rebuilding ahead
BERLIN (AP) — Rescue workers labored to clear up damage laid bare by receding water Saturday as the death toll from disastrous flooding in Western Europe rose above 150 and thoughts turned to the lengthy job of reb…
Analysis: How Afghan war showed limits of US military power
WASHINGTON (AP) — It took only two months for U.S. invaders to topple the Taliban in
US probes rash of health incidents among diplomats in Vienna
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is investigating a recent rash of mysterious health incidents reported by American diplomats and other government employees in Vienna, Austria, U.S. officials said Friday.
The Latest: France to let in travelers with India-made shot
PARIS — France will allow international travelers who have had AstraZeneca’s Indian-manufactured vaccine into the country starting Sunday.
AP PHOTOS: Swollen rivers smash through parts of Europe
SCHULD, Germany (AP) — Torrential rain turned normally placid rivers into raging torrents in parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands this week, dragging cars and roads with them, bringing down whole houses an…
Pacific Rim leaders agree to step up COVID vaccine sharing
Leaders of Asian Pacific nations agreed on Friday to step up COVID-19 vaccination sharing as China said it has pledged $3 billion in international aid to support coronavirus response efforts in developing countries.
Freedom or folly? UK's end to mandatory masks sows confusion
LONDON (AP) — For many, it’s common courtesy or a sensible precaution. For others, it's an imposition, a daily irritation.
WHO chief says it was 'premature' to rule out COVID lab leak
BERLIN (AP) — The head of the World Health Organization acknowledged it was premature to rule out a potential link between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory leak, and he said Thursday he is asking China to be …
Afghanistan's neighbors wary as US seeks nearby staging area
American diplomats are escalating a charm offensive with Central Asian leaders this week as they work to secure a close-by spot to respond to any resurgence of outside militants in Afghanistan after the U.S. milita…
EXPLAINER: WA tenants get modified eviction reprieve
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A federal freeze on most evictions enacted last year is scheduled to expire July 31, after the Biden administration extended the date by a month. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers fo…
Experts: Europe floods shows need to curb emissions, adapt
BRUSSELS (AP) — Just as the European Union was announcing plans to spend billions of euros to contain climate change, massive clouds gathered over Germany and nearby nations to unleash an unprecedented storm that l…
Biden grappling with 'pandemic of the unvaccinated'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two weeks after celebrating America’s near “independence” from the coronavirus, President Joe Biden is confronting the worrying reality of rising cases and deaths — and the limitations of his abil…
For pregnant women, pandemic made hunt for drug rehab harder
After using drugs on and off for years, Megan Sims wanted to get clean again. But she couldn’t bring herself to stop during the coronavirus pandemic, even when she discovered she was going to have a baby. She had b…
France celebrates Bastille Day amid virus fears, tensions
PARIS (AP) — Bastille Day is back, sort of.