Washington

Photos of masked members of the white supremacist Patriot Front group marching in Washington and on the Metro have gone viral. A Metro rider who encountered the group spoke with Amna Nawaz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Oman on Saturday for talks focused on the Strait of Hormuz and shipping safety. The discussions are part of ongoing consultations between Iran and Oman, with the Strait being a key point of contention between Washington and Tehran following Iran's response to the war launched by the US and Israel in late February.

U.S.-Iran talks may continue despite the end of a cease-fire. Regional powers are urging Washington and Tehran to pause strikes to facilitate negotiations.

Brazil’s industry confederation CNI, AmCham Brasil, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce jointly wrote to U.S. officials on 9 July 2026 urging a two-stage trade deal to avoid a proposed 25% tariff on Brazilian goods. Washington has until 15 July 2026 to act on the tariff proposal.

Trump will allow a bipartisan housing affordability bill to become law without his signature as a protest against the GOP voter ID law. The bill, which passed without his endorsement, addresses housing affordability while Trump's inaction is linked to opposition to the voter ID legislation.

The CLARITY Act is advancing as the crypto lobby spends $189 million to influence its passage. The growing political influence of the crypto industry in Washington is being scrutinized, though the campaign spend is only part of the broader story.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is engaging in diplomatic efforts across multiple regions to advance President Ahmed al-Sharaa's initiatives, but faces challenges in a volatile Middle East. His travels to cities like Riyadh, Beirut, Washington, and Moscow highlight his role in reshaping regional dynamics.

Venezuela's shift toward Israel is described as a strategic move for survival rather than ideological alignment. Delcy Rodriguez is seeking to secure Washington’s support and undermine her primary political rival by courting Israel.

Taiwan's AN/FPS-115 Pave Paws radar system detected a People's Liberation Army (PLA) ballistic missile launch from a nuclear-powered submarine in the South China Sea. The system tracked the missile's trajectory, and intelligence sharing with Washington contributed to Taiwan's awareness of the event.

Donald Trump’s proposed 250ft arch in Washington received preliminary approval from the National Capital Planning Commission despite public opposition. The commission deferred a decision on applying height-limiting federal laws to the project, which would be built on a traffic circle at the Virginia end of the Memorial Bridge.

The Israeli Prime Minister and IDF chief emphasized Israel's readiness to resume war with Iran amid recent clashes. Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated Israel is prepared to 'regain air superiority,' while Washington is reportedly unwilling to support Israel's re-entry into the conflict.

Washington's representatives and senators provided items for the semiquincentennial congressional time capsule to offer insight into the state's residents. The capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2276.

Donald Trump is considering increasing military aid to Ukraine to assist its forces in achieving a battlefield breakthrough. European officials view this potential move as a significant shift in Washington’s approach toward Kyiv.

Washington state is leading a lawsuit to block Trump's new federal rules that would limit funding for homelessness programs unless they require sobriety. The rules aim to restrict funding for stable, long-term housing for people exiting homelessness without a sobriety condition.

Clyde Hill, a wealthy town on the Eastside’s Gold Coast, is experiencing local government bankruptcy. The article highlights concerns about how Washington state is handling this situation.

Washington state has limited the use of spit hoods in state-run psychiatric facilities. The agency overseeing these hospitals is restricting their use due to their association with deaths and injuries in the U.S.

Germany has agreed to purchase US Tomahawk missiles, as announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz during the NATO summit in Ankara. The deal was reached with Washington.

The article discusses how maritime shipping lanes, crucial for over 80% of global trade, are becoming military targets in economic warfare. It references the war in Iran, where Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, prompting a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

U.S. states are divided in their tax revenue sources, with 27 states relying heavily on sales and consumption taxes in 2025, while 21 depend more on income taxes. States like Texas and Florida, which lack income taxes, generate most revenue through consumption-based taxes, whereas states such as California and New York rely on income and corporate taxes. This shift may disproportionately affect lower-income households and exacerbate racial inequalities.

Iran's recent attacks demonstrate its ability to disrupt shipping and energy markets, drawing in Gulf neighbors. The article questions how much leverage Iran holds over Washington and whether its high-risk strategy might backfire.

Peace talks between Washington and Tehran are breaking down, which could continue to negatively affect the global economy. The article highlights the potential economic consequences of the failed ceasefire.

Pakistan and the United States are holding trade negotiations in Washington to address US tariffs on Pakistani exports and finalize a bilateral trade agreement. Pakistan secured a reduction of tariffs from 29% to 19% in prior talks, but a US Supreme Court ruling invalidated the IEEPA-based tariffs, leading to a temporary 10% global tariff set to expire in July. Pakistan also faces a proposed 10% additional tariff under Section 301 investigations.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez introduced a Farm Bill amendment arguing that state childcare regulations, such as Washington's requirement for multiple sinks in food preparation, hinder providers. The amendment received mixed reactions.

A Virginia man is set for a federal trial in February after being charged with planting pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican party headquarters in Washington on the eve of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has asked Sen. Mitch McConnell to disclose more about his health after three weeks of silence following his hospitalization. McConnell's condition remains undisclosed, fueling speculation about his ability to hold office, while Kentucky's Senate succession law could leave his seat vacant until January if he resigns after August 3.

A new Washington law allows cash-strapped churches to access equity while providing nonprofits with the land needed to develop affordable housing. Faith communities and organizations are collaborating to address the state's affordability gap.

Angola's Lobito railway has received fresh funding as the United States and China compete for control over Africa's cobalt and copper resources. This competition has implications for global supply chains and Latin America.

Beijing urged the Netherlands to ensure fair treatment for Chinese companies and maintain stable chip supply chains during a visit by the Dutch trade minister, as both sides navigate tech tensions with Washington and seek resolution over Nexperia.

Cuba is seeking support at the United Nations against the US blockade, which it describes as 'ruthless.' Diplomatic tensions between Washington and Havana have increased in recent months.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is in the US for meetings with senior officials and UN representatives to support US-Iran talks, following his participation in a UN policing summit in New York. Pakistan is facilitating technical negotiations between the US and Iran, with talks scheduled for July 11 and further high-level discussions in Doha.

Maddy and Drew Olson built their own home in Washington to keep mortgage payments under $1,000. They set a $209,000 budget, completed the build in 9 months, and prioritized DIY work to reduce costs. The couple bought a lot for $156,000 in 2025 and focused on affordability despite initial challenges.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez denounced the US embargo against Cuba at the UN General Assembly, calling it 'ruthless' and 'cruel' and accusing the US of multi-dimensional non-conventional warfare lasting nearly seven decades. The debate occurred despite Washington's diplomatic pressure to prevent it.

Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized for over three weeks with undisclosed health issues, prompting speculation about his ability to return to the Senate. Republican leaders John Thune and John Barrasso have spoken with McConnell, discussing Senate matters and upcoming elections. Aides have not disclosed his condition, and McConnell is retiring in January.

Legislators in at least six states have approved measures to address patient medical debt, including capping interest rates, delaying debt collection, and prohibiting wage garnishment. The United States of Care think tank reported these legislative trends, highlighting laws in Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii aimed at reducing financial burdens from medical care.

President Trump will attend a NATO summit in Ankara amid ongoing tensions within the alliance. The war in Ukraine remains unresolved despite Trump’s campaign promise to address it immediately upon returning to power. Washington is hesitant to support Ukraine or the alliance.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi stated that US-Iran negotiations will not begin if Washington continues its threats. He referenced Paragraph 13 of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), emphasizing that ongoing threats prevent the commencement of final deal discussions.

Democrats in Maine are urging Graham Platner to exit the Senate race following a sexual assault accusation. The discussion also covers the Democratic Party's direction ahead of the midterms and events in Washington during the nation's 250th anniversary.

A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump’s pardons for Jan. 6 rioters do not apply to Brian J. Cole Jr., a Virginia man charged with planting pipe bombs near Democratic and Republican party headquarters in Washington, D.C., before the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. The judge noted that Cole was not charged or convicted when Trump issued the pardons, which explicitly applied only to those convicted of Jan. 6-related crimes.

Thirteen Democrat-led states, including California, Colorado, and Washington, are allowed to continue their lawsuit against the Trump administration for terminating clean energy programs without congressional approval. A federal judge denied the administration's motion to dismiss, ruling the states have a right to seek relief and that the case should remain in federal court.

The NATO chief highlights European members' defense spending commitments ahead of a key summit in Ankara. European NATO members are under pressure from Washington to demonstrate their ability to meet these commitments.