US Politics

A new NBC News poll shows President Donald Trump's approval rating falling to 41% among registered voters, a second-term low, with 55% disapproving. More voters are also criticizing his handling of the economy, a shift that matters as the closely watched midterm elections approach and both parties gauge voter sentiment heading into the campaign season.

President Trump is reportedly considering a ban on US diesel fuel exports, a move that would keep more refined fuel within the domestic market. Such a restriction could reshape global fuel supply chains, potentially raising prices in countries reliant on American diesel and triggering pushback from refiners and trading partners. Discussion is focused on what the policy would mean for consumers and energy markets.

Several Democratic candidates are making Christian faith a prominent part of their midterm campaign messaging, according to NPR. The party's politicians are leaning into religious language and values as they court voters, a notable shift in a political landscape where Republicans have often claimed the faith vote. The strategy is drawing attention to how Democrats approach religion ahead of the elections.

Republican lawmakers and candidates are publicly distancing themselves from Donald Trump as polling shows weak numbers for the party heading into upcoming elections. Several figures have skipped campaign appearances with the former president or avoided mentioning him on the trail. Commentators see the moves as a sign of anxiety inside the party that Trump's standing could drag down Republican candidates down the ballot.

President Trump is moving to withhold roughly $800 million in funding that Congress had already approved, according to reports carried by Reuters and multiple US newspapers. The effort raises fresh questions over executive authority and the separation of powers, as lawmakers from both parties weigh whether the administration can refuse to spend money explicitly appropriated by Congress.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is holding a live press conference at Indira Bhawan, the party headquarters in New Delhi. The event is drawing large live audiences, with viewers following his remarks on current political matters. Further details of what was announced were not immediately available beyond the live broadcast of the event.

The Trump administration is moving to cancel $810 million in federal spending that was previously approved by Congress, according to The Media Line. The attempt to rescind appropriated funds raises questions over presidential authority and the power of the purse, a recurring flashpoint between the White House and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

US television networks are set to resume covering President Trump after the White House TV pool went dark for a week amid a standoff between the administration and CNN, which the White House has excluded. Network executives believe an indefinite suspension of coverage is untenable, even as CNN remains shut out. The standoff has raised fresh questions about press access to the president.

Lawmakers in Washington are facing renewed pressure to act on artificial intelligence safety, as concerns over the technology's risks move to the centre of the US policy debate. Attention is turning to whether Congress can move beyond hearings and produce meaningful regulation, with critics warning that inaction leaves powerful AI systems largely unchecked.

Polling in the Texas Senate race is drawing fresh attention as observers weigh the competitive landscape ahead of the election. Commenters are sharing and debating the latest numbers, with discussion focused on what the results suggest about each candidate's standing and the state's shifting political dynamics.

Bill Gates has called on the US Congress to write artificial intelligence safeguards into law. The appeal adds the Microsoft co-founder's voice to a growing debate in Washington over how to regulate AI, with lawmakers weighing rules on safety, oversight and accountability as the technology spreads rapidly across industries.

President Trump is cutting spending that Congress had already approved, moving to withhold or reduce funds lawmakers allocated. The action touches on the ongoing dispute over presidential power versus Congress's authority over the federal budget, and is drawing criticism from lawmakers who say the White House is ignoring appropriations passed into law. Supporters frame it as reining in wasteful federal outlays.

More Americans are losing access to SNAP food stamp benefits as Congress weighs the future of the federal nutrition assistance program. The ongoing debate in Washington comes as enrollments and coverage are already shifting, leaving low-income households facing uncertainty over whether their support will continue or be cut further.

US authorities have opened an investigation after parts from F-35 fighter jets were diverted to Hong Kong, according to a report picked up by Congress. The incident has raised concerns in Washington about the risk of sensitive American military technology reaching China, given Hong Kong's status and Beijing's control. Lawmakers are expected to press for answers on how the diversion happened and what safeguards failed.

Five television networks have suspended their coverage of the White House press pool, the rotating group of reporters that documents the president's daily activities. The collective move by major broadcasters is a rare show of protest over press access conditions, and it is drawing attention to ongoing tensions between the administration and news organisations covering it.

Donald Trump is promising a $5,000 payout described as a GOP dividend, according to circulating reports. Details on who would receive the money, how it would be funded, and whether it is an official proposal remain limited. Political commentators are debating the pledge and its implications for the party's messaging.

President Trump has moved to rescind nearly $1 billion in previously approved federal funding, acting without congressional approval. The decision raises questions over presidential spending powers and the role of Congress in controlling the federal budget. The affected programmes have not been detailed, and legal or political challenges from lawmakers are likely as the dispute unfolds.

Bill Gates is urging the U.S. Congress to require artificial intelligence safeguards, following a reported breach involving an OpenAI agent. Twelve outlets are carrying the story, comparing how Gates framed the risks and what regulation he wants lawmakers to impose. The episode has reignited debate in Washington over whether AI systems need legally mandated oversight rather than voluntary industry commitments.

Commentary is circulating asking whether Democrats would pursue a third impeachment of Donald Trump if they win control of Congress in the upcoming midterms. Trump has already been impeached twice, in 2019 and 2021, and acquitted both times by the Senate. The discussion reflects ongoing speculation about how a Democratic-controlled House might use its oversight and impeachment powers against the president.

Politico reports that the administration's push to accelerate artificial intelligence development has collided with Anthropic, whose safety-focused approach is shaping White House thinking on AI policy. The article examines the company's growing influence in Washington and the tension between rapid innovation and safeguards.

A sticker business owner endorsed by Donald Trump is running for Congress, and reporting has surfaced an unusual backstory behind the candidate. The profile has drawn attention for how an unconventional entrepreneur with the former president's backing could win a seat, fuelling debate about the kind of candidates Trump-endorsed primaries are producing.

The second part of a highlights series from the World Cancer Congress 2026 is circulating, recapping key presentations, research findings and discussions from the global oncology event. Coverage focuses on developments shared at the congress and what they may mean for cancer care and research going forward.

A new report on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk says his organization, Turning Point USA, insisted he appear outdoors despite security concerns. It also found that Utah Valley University, where he was shot and killed, failed to properly assess threats, including the possibility of a rooftop shooter. The findings raise fresh questions about responsibility and security lapses surrounding his death last year.

The contest to succeed Angie Craig in Minnesota's congressional seat is being framed largely around President Trump, with candidates Mike Little and Matt Pratt staking out sharply different positions on his agenda. Reporting lays out where each candidate stands on key issues, as voters weigh how closely to tie the race to the president's record. The seat is watched as part of the broader battle for control of the House.

India's Congress party is holding a pan-India protest, with demonstrations echoing the gatherings once seen at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Supporters frame it as a response to the Modi government's policies, while critics mock the events as 'bhajan clubbing', suggesting religious devotional singing is being used as political theatre. The protests have drawn large attention and sharp reactions from both sides of India's political divide.

US lawmakers are facing mounting questions over artificial intelligence safety, with Congress under pressure to act on regulating the fast-moving technology. Coverage highlights the gap between growing public and expert concern about AI risks and the slow pace of legislative response in Washington. Debates continue over how, and how strictly, AI systems should be overseen by federal law.

Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei is set to attend a dinner at the White House with President Trump, according to Axios. The meeting would bring one of the leading artificial intelligence executives into direct contact with the administration, as Washington weighs policy on AI development, safety rules and US competitiveness with China.

NPR's Sunday Story examines whether candidates with clergy backgrounds could help Democrats become competitive in Republican-leaning states. The piece explores how pastoral experience — community trust, moral authority and organizing skills — might translate into electoral appeal with religious voters who have drifted from the party, a question Democrats are weighing ahead of upcoming election cycles.

American farmers are openly reconsidering their political backing of the Republican Party, a shift with potential consequences for future elections in rural states. Observers point to frustration over agricultural policy and economic pressures as possible drivers. The discussion reflects broader questions about whether a reliably Republican farming bloc is beginning to waver.

Efforts to pass the Pentagon budget have stalled, with extensive discussion but no legislative progress so far. Punchbowl News reports that despite ongoing negotiations over defense funding, no deal or advance has materialized. The deadlock leaves defense spending plans in limbo as lawmakers continue to negotiate.

Louisiana Republican senator John Kennedy has publicly criticized the Trump White House for spending taxpayer money on advertisements promoting Donald Trump. The rare intra-party rebuke, reported by the Guardian, is drawing attention as it highlights tensions within Republican ranks over the administration's use of public funds for what critics see as political self-promotion.

A Texas singer is being discussed as a potentially influential figure in Democrats' push to win control of Congress, with outreach aimed at Latino communities through culturally significant events such as quinceañeras. The story highlights how Democratic strategists see music, community celebrations and culturally rooted engagement as a route to mobilising voters in Texas and beyond.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is calling on Congress to adopt an amendment to pending college sports legislation, arguing it is 'necessary to fix the culture of college sports'. The appeal adds a state law enforcement voice to the ongoing national debate over reforming college athletics, where lawmakers are weighing federal rules on issues such as athlete compensation and oversight.

Oregon and Coos County officials are advising voters to return completed mail ballots through official drop boxes rather than the postal service, citing mail delivery delays. The recommendation, reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting, is aimed at making sure ballots arrive before election deadlines. Voters are being encouraged to plan ahead and use secure ballot drop box locations across the county.

The Japan Times carries an item under the headline 'A congress for Europe's future', pointing to discussion of a congress convened around Europe's future direction. No further details about the organisers, location, agenda, or outcomes are given in the available information, so the substance of the congress and the reaction to it remain unknown.

Todd Blanche, the US Deputy Attorney General, is defending the Justice Department's approach to artificial intelligence and hospital mergers. He argued the administration's stance on AI supports innovation rather than weakening oversight, and that hospital consolidation deals do not automatically harm patients or competition. The remarks have drawn attention from antitrust watchers and health policy commentators.

Jacobin argues that Congress, not the Supreme Court, bears responsibility for the failures of US lawmaking. The piece contends that progressives too often blame judicial rulings for policy gridlock that stems from legislators' own unwillingness or inability to pass bold legislation. The argument feeds a broader debate on the American left about where to direct blame for stalled priorities.

Coloradans engaged in wildfire mitigation efforts are watching Congress for federal funding and policy support. Wildfire risk has grown across Colorado, and local programs depend on federal resources to expand prevention work such as forest thinning and community protection. Advocates hope lawmakers deliver legislation that backs state and local mitigation projects.

The BJP has reportedly been routed in Gujarat, with results showing the Congress winning 24 contests while the ruling party failed to open its account. The outcome is being read as a setback in a state long considered a BJP stronghold, the home turf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, with Rahul Gandhi's Congress celebrating the sweep.

Renee Good's family testified before Congress, according to KSTP's 'At Issue' program for September 27, which also featured a one-on-one interview with Doug Chapin. The testimony marks a step in the family's public push relating to Good's case, though details of what was said during the hearing were not provided.

US Senator John Kennedy has spoken out against fellow politicians who, in his view, spend more time promoting themselves than serving the public. The remarks drew attention as part of ongoing debate in Washington about political grandstanding and accountability, with supporters praising the blunt message and critics questioning its timing.

Congress has passed a law requiring AM radios to be installed in all new vehicles sold in the United States. The move follows automakers, including several electric vehicle manufacturers, dropping AM radio from newer models over interference concerns. Supporters argue AM radio remains a critical channel for emergency alerts, especially in rural areas, while critics question mandating aging technology in modern cars.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said it is 'necessary to fix the culture of college sports' and urged reforms in the sector. The full substance of his appeal is not yet detailed in available coverage, so it is unclear what specific changes he is seeking or what prompted the statement.

The Trump administration is moving to cancel $810 million in previously approved federal funding using a tactic being called a 'pocket rescission'. The move has drawn attention to the obscure budget mechanism, which involves proposing spending cuts late in the fiscal year so they are unlikely to be voted on by Congress before funding expires. Coverage is focusing on what the tactic is, whether it is legal, and its impact on approved programmes.

Attention is turning to the 2026 US midterm elections, with coverage focused on how the results could reshape Donald Trump's power in his second term and determine control of Congress. All 435 House seats and about a third of the Senate are up for grabs, and the outcome could either cement Republican control or hand Democrats a check on the president's agenda.

New Jersey Representative Tom Kean Jr. has returned to Congress after an unexplained absence and is preparing for his first and only debate of the campaign. His time away has drawn questions from observers, and the debate now offers voters their most direct chance to question him about it, along with the other issues at stake in his race.

Congress has opened an investigation into Flock, the license plate surveillance company, while an Illinois law restricting immigration-related surveillance may be rendered moot. The probe examines how the company's camera network data is used, with concerns that plate reader systems could support federal immigration enforcement despite state-level restrictions. Details of the inquiry's scope and potential implications for state privacy laws remain limited.

North Carolina's attorney general is calling on Congress to establish guardrails on artificial intelligence following a wave of bot attacks. The request follows incidents involving AI-powered bots, and the state's top legal officer wants federal legislation to address the risks these systems pose to consumers and elections.

Senator Susan Collins has publicly criticized the administration's pocket rescissions package, describing it as unlawful. Pocket rescissions involve a president proposing spending cuts late in a fiscal year so Congress cannot vote on them before funds expire, a tactic lawmakers and legal experts have long questioned. Collins's statement puts her among Republicans openly challenging the administration's budget strategy.

Candidates Little and Pratt clashed over President Trump's agenda in a debate for the special election to replace Representative Angie Craig in Minnesota's congressional seat. The two candidates traded sharp disagreements over Trump's policies, highlighting the partisan stakes in the contest. The race is drawing attention as a test of voter sentiment on the president's agenda.

Colombia's members of Congress earn by far the highest salaries among legislators in Latin America, according to a new report. The figures have drawn attention to the gap between Colombian lawmakers' pay and that of their counterparts across the region, renewing debate over legislative compensation at a time of economic strain for many Colombians.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drew attention at a press conference by playing a live video, in remarks directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The event, promoted by the Indian National Congress, generated large engagement online as viewers debated the allegations or claims Gandhi presented and what they mean for the Election Commission's credibility.

India's Congress party is set to organise a 'self-respect meeting' in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, in response to a reported 'purification' ritual that sparked controversy. The party is framing the event as a stand against what it sees as a divisive and demeaning practice, turning the incident into a political issue in the region.

The UAE-based TRENDS research group has participated in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, an international gathering where states and organisations discuss strategies to fight crime and strengthen justice systems. The group announced its involvement on its website, though further details of its role or contributions at the congress were not given.

Qatar is taking part in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, according to a report carried by Fana News. The congress brings together member states to coordinate international policy on crime prevention, criminal justice reform and related cooperation. Details of Qatar's delegation or contributions were not given in the available report.