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Politics
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Politics
Texas Senate Race Dead Heat as Talarico Holds One Point Lead Over Paxton in New Poll
A new Emerson College poll of 1,000 likely Texas voters shows the state's pivotal US Senate race in a dead heat, with Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton 47 percent to 46 percent, within the survey's three-point margin of error. The poll, conducted September 12 to 14, also found the two parties' voters agree on the top issue facing the state: the economy, cited by 38 percent of Republicans and 37 percent of Democrats. Earlier Emerson polling from August showed Paxton ahead by one point, while recent surveys from AARP Texas and Univision gave Talarico leads of four and five points. The findings arrive less than seven weeks before an election that could help decide Senate control.
Politics
House Votes to Hold Leon Black in Contempt Over Defiance of Epstein Subpoenas
The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas issued by the committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein, setting the stage for Speaker Mike Johnson to certify the matter and refer Black's conduct to the Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution. The vote by unanimous consent came one day after the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform approved the recommendation in a 41-0 vote. The action stems from Black's failure to appear for a deposition on September 3 and his refusal to hand over all nondisclosure agreements he holds, after giving the committee only the one NDA his lawyers said Jeffrey Epstein knew about. Defendants convicted of contempt of Congress face one month to 12 months in prison. Black's attorneys called the move outrageous, saying it ignores active litigation he has filed to block the subpoenas, while Chairman James Comer declared that no one is above the law and ranking Democrat Robert Garcia said the committee is just getting started.
Politics
House Passes Lindsey Graham Russia Sanctions Act 262-159 as Trump Gains 100 Percent Tariff Authority
The US House of Representatives has passed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 262 votes to 159, sending the sweeping sanctions and tariff bill to President Donald Trump's desk on the last day before the midterm recess. The legislation expands sanctions on Russia's energy, defence and shadow-fleet sectors and gives Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the top buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the bill over loopholes and expanded presidential power, while Republican sponsor Michael McCaul promised the measure would cripple Russia's war machine and force Putin to negotiate.
Politics
Three More Republicans Break Ranks to Back War Powers Resolution as Midterm Fears Grow
Three more House Republicans broke with their party on Tuesday to vote for a war powers resolution intended to force President Donald Trump to withdraw US troops from the conflict with Iran, bringing the total number of Republican objectors to seven as the November midterms approach. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn of Iowa, both considered among the party's most vulnerable incumbents, joined Nancy Mace of South Carolina in supporting the sixth such resolution, which passed the House on Tuesday evening. The revolt came hours after Representative Thomas Massie, who lost his primary after clashing with Trump, moved to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for prosecuting the war without congressional authorization. House Republican leaders canceled Thursday's votes, sending lawmakers home early to face constituents before the 3 November elections.
Politics
Philippines Holds First Ever Bangsamoro Parliament Election With 2.39 Million Voters After Four Postponements
Voters in the Philippines' Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao went to the polls on September 14, 2026, in the first-ever regular parliamentary election for the 80-seat Bangsamoro Parliament, an event postponed four times since its original May 2022 schedule. Partial unofficial results with 99.35 percent of election returns processed show the Bangsamoro Federalist Party leading with 674,001 votes, or 35.5 percent, ahead of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party at 32.2 percent and the BARMM Grand Coalition at 20.4 percent. The Commission on Elections reported turnout of roughly 80 percent among 2.393 million registered voters. The vote followed four postponements driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, a Supreme Court ruling excluding Sulu, and the unconstitutionality of two districting laws. At least four people were killed and 19 wounded in election-related violence, mostly in a Cotabato City shootout, drawing criticism from President Marcos.
Politics
Supreme Court Allows Trump to Build White House Ballroom as Lawsuit Continues
The US Supreme Court allowed President Trump to proceed with construction of a White House ballroom on September 1, 2026, while a related lawsuit continues in lower courts. The 5-4 decision permits demolition of the existing East Wing structure to make way for the new 90,000 square foot ballroom. Critics argue the project violates the Antiquities Act and bypasses proper environmental review. The White House stated that the ballroom will host state dinners and official events reducing the need for off-site venues. Construction is expected to begin within 60 days pending final regulatory approvals. The project has an estimated cost of 350 million dollars to be funded through a combination of private donations and Congressional appropriations.
Politics
French Government Collapses as Parliament Ousts Prime Minister Bayrou in Confidence Vote
Lawmakers toppled France's government on Sept. 8, 2025, defeating Prime Minister François Bayrou in a confidence vote by 364 votes to 194 and forcing President Emmanuel Macron to search for a fourth prime minister in 12 months. Bayrou had gambled that parliament would back his plan to cut 44 billion euros in spending next year after France's deficit hit 5.8 percent of GDP, far above the European Union's 3 percent target. Public debt stood at 3.346 trillion euros, or 114 percent of output, at the end of the first quarter. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen called on Macron to dissolve the National Assembly, while Bayrou warned that the debt burden, already unbearable, will grow heavier and more costly.
Politics
India and Japan Sign Historic Defense Cooperation Pact Amid Rising Indo-Pacific Tensions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba signed a comprehensive defense cooperation agreement on September 2, 2026, establishing a formal military alliance framework for the Indo-Pacific region. The pact includes provisions for joint naval exercises, intelligence sharing on submarine movements, and co-development of advanced missile defense systems valued at 8.5 billion dollars. Modi stated that the agreement represents the deepest military partnership between any two Asian democracies in history. Japan has committed to providing India with its latest S-500 air defense technology, while India will share its BrahMos cruise missile systems with Japanese forces. The bilateral defense trade between the two nations is projected to reach 15 billion dollars annually by 2028.
Politics
UK Announces Snap General Election for October 2026 as Polls Show Labour Lead Narrowing
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a snap general election for October 16, 2026, after internal polling showed the Conservative Party closing a 14-point lead to just 4 points over the past three months. The decision, disclosed at a Downing Street press conference on September 1, comes 11 months after Labour won a landslide victory with 412 seats in July 2025. Starmer cited the need for a fresh mandate on economic reform, but opposition leaders accused him of calling the election to capitalize on a temporary polling advantage before autumn budget cuts take effect.