Senate

US intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia retains the option to pursue nuclear weapons, while US senators are moving to challenge a nuclear cooperation deal pursued under the Trump administration. The report raises concerns in Congress about safeguards and the precedent a deal could set for nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, amid ongoing debate over US-Saudi relations.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has introduced legislation that would prohibit private equity firms from owning medical practices. The bill targets concerns that investor ownership drives up healthcare costs, cuts staffing, and prioritizes profits over patient care. Supporters see it as a push to keep medicine in the hands of clinicians, while critics are expected to argue it limits capital investment in healthcare practices.

France's far right has made gains in indirect Senate elections, where mayors and local councillors choose half of the upper house's seats. The results point to the National Rally's continued expansion beyond its traditional strongholds. Observers see the vote as another sign of the party's growing normalization and mainstream acceptance in French politics.

Senator Mark Kelly said Donald Trump is 'stuck' with Iran and wants to 'get back to where he was before' the war started. The Arizona Democrat's comments come amid debate over US policy toward Iran and the conflict in the Middle East, portraying the president as trapped in a situation he did not expect and eager to return to the pre-war status quo.

Donald Trump's address to the United Nations General Assembly is drawing heavy attention, with commentary highlighting a series of notable moments from the speech. Senator Adam Schiff is among those amplifying coverage of the remarks, which touched on Trump's positions before the international body. The speech is generating strong reaction and debate among political figures and the public.

Maine Senator Susan Collins is facing renewed scrutiny over her 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as she campaigns for reelection, her first race since the court overturned federal abortion rights. The decision, which Collins said she believed would not threaten Roe v. Wade, has become a central line of attack from opponents who argue her vote enabled it.

France's far right has gained ground in the country's indirect Senate elections, where senators are chosen by an electoral college of local officials rather than by direct public vote. The results point to the continued rise of the far right in French politics, adding to pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's camp ahead of future national contests.

Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema's onetime bodyguard, who was also her romantic partner, has been arrested after allegedly breaking into her home and throwing 22 paintings into her swimming pool. The unusual nature of the incident, involving a former US senator and someone once tasked with protecting her, has drawn wide attention and questions about the circumstances surrounding the relationship and the break-in.

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.

CNN's Harry Enten rounds up the key political storylines heading into the next election cycle, covering competitive Senate races, signs of a potential Democratic wave, and ongoing corruption allegations involving Donald Trump. The roundup breaks down polling numbers and trends, drawing heavy attention as voters and analysts weigh what these developments could mean for control of Congress and the 2024 race.

The first results from France's Senate elections have been published online, according to an announcement from the Senate itself. The indirect elections, held by an electoral college of local representatives, determine the upper house's composition. Early results are being closely watched for what they indicate about the balance of power in the chamber.

Early results from France's Senate elections indicate the far right will form a parliamentary group in the upper house for the first time. Reaching the threshold required for an official group marks a symbolic breakthrough for the party in an institution long dominated by mainstream conservatives, giving it greater speaking time and committee roles.

Charlie Cook, founder of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said the House is a 'done deal' for Democrats in the coming midterm elections, and that reclaiming the Senate is 'very realistic'. His assessment adds weight to expectations that Democrats could win control of at least one, and possibly both, chambers of Congress, reshaping the political outlook for the remainder of President Trump's term.

France's Rassemblement National will form a parliamentary group in the Senate for the first time, having won at least 10 seats in the indirect senatorial elections. The party picked up a seat in Gironde, another in Var, and two in Bouches-du-Rhône. Observers are framing the milestone as a first step toward broader institutional presence for the far right, long marginalised in the upper house.

The U.S. Senate has approved legislation addressing mental health support for pilots and air traffic controllers. The measure aims to make it easier for aviation professionals to seek treatment without automatically facing career penalties or loss of certification. The bill now moves to the House, with supporters saying it addresses longstanding stigma in the aviation industry.

Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party, has promised to avoid harsh attacks on Jean-Luc Mélenchon during the presidential campaign. His campaign director, senator Ian Brossat, told La Tribune that "we will not fall into aggression", signalling an effort to keep leftist infighting civil even as the two rivals compete for the same electorate.

France's Rassemblement National has formed a parliamentary group in the Senate for the first time, marking a historic step for Marine Le Pen's far-right party in the upper house of parliament. Reaching the threshold for an official group gives the party greater speaking time, committee seats and institutional legitimacy, and is being read as further evidence of its growing normalisation in French politics.

Mitch McConnell's health is back in the spotlight, with reports of a serious medical diagnosis prompting widespread reaction. Commentators are discussing what the news means for the Kentucky senator's future in the Senate and for Republican leadership, given his long tenure as the party's floor leader and his history of health episodes in public.

Senior executives from artificial intelligence companies have been summoned to appear before an Australian Senate inquiry examining the technology. The hearings form part of a parliamentary probe into AI's risks and regulation, with cybersecurity among the key concerns. News outlets across Australia are covering the announcement, though details on which executives will testify and when have not been widely reported.

France's far-right National Rally announced it has secured enough seats to form a group in the Senate for the first time in its history, following the senatorial elections. The breakthrough would give the party greater institutional weight, speaking time and committee positions in the upper house, and marks a new step in its expansion beyond the National Assembly.

France is holding its Senate elections today, with 178 of the 348 seats in the upper house being renewed. The grand electors, drawn from local elected officials, are casting their votes, with the far-right RN in a position of strength in several areas. The left says it expects little from the vote, since indirect elections by local officials limit its chances.

Several Republican senators facing competitive re-election contests are publicly breaking with President Trump on immigration enforcement, calling on ICE to coordinate more closely with local police departments. The move marks a rare intra-party split on a signature Trump issue, as vulnerable GOP incumbents appear to be courting moderate voters ahead of upcoming elections.

Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, misspoke by describing himself as a 'lifelong Republican' during remarks, before the slip was noted as a gaffe. The moment drew attention because Fetterman has drawn criticism from progressives and made outreach to conservative voters a visible part of his political identity, fueling debate about his ideological direction within the Democratic Party.

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.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon publicly claimed that La France Insoumise scores higher than its number of grand electors in every French department, celebrating the Senate election of his son-in-law Gabriel Amard and calling it a "good omen for 2027". The remarks drew attention as the far-right RN also tripled its presence, fueling debate over the left's and right's momentum ahead of the next presidential election.

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.

The US Senate has voted down a war powers resolution intended to rebuke President Trump over military action against Iran. The measure would have sought to limit or block further hostilities without congressional approval, but it failed to advance. The rejection keeps Trump's Iran policy intact and underscores the ongoing divide in Congress over presidential war authority and US involvement in the conflict.

The Australian Senate has issued summons to the chief executives of OpenAI and Anthropic over an AI security breach, according to a report by Crypto Briefing. Details of the breach, the specific committee involved, and whether the executives will appear have not been confirmed, and neither company has publicly responded to the summons.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine is facing renewed scrutiny over her Supreme Court votes as she campaigns for re-election, her first race since the court overturned abortion rights. Her pivotal role in confirming justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch has become a central issue, with critics arguing her assurances about abortion precedent did not hold. The issue is shaping voter debate in her closely watched bid.

Discussion is swirling around US Senator Mitch McConnell's health after reports of his medical condition prompted questions about his fitness to continue serving in the Senate. Commentators and political observers are debating what his condition means for Republican leadership, his long-running role as Senate Republican leader, and broader questions about aging politicians holding powerful positions. Concerns follow previous public episodes where McConnell froze mid-speech, fueling ongoing scrutiny of his capacity.

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.

CNN reports on the House and Senate districts where Republicans are going on the attack ahead of the US midterm elections, rather than simply defending their current seats. The piece highlights the districts and states the party considers winnable, part of a broader campaign push as both parties compete for control of Congress and voters weigh the economy and other key issues.

The US Senate has approved mental health legislation covering pilots and air traffic controllers. The measure is aimed at making it easier for aviation professionals to seek mental health treatment without automatically jeopardising their medical certification or careers. Coverage from aviation and general news outlets notes the step as a significant change to how the industry handles mental health among safety-critical staff.

A group of senators and congressmen have sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations near schools. They argue parents should be able to drop their children off at school without fearing detention, framing enforcement actions at these locations as harmful to families and children.