Officials monitoring polling sites in Minnesota’s two largest counties, says Trump’s justice department – live | US midterm elections 2026

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Kyrgyzstan on August 31, 2026, to review recent developments in West Asia. • In domestic news, Delhi's draft electoral roll has excluded 47.7 lakh names, raising concerns over voter eligibility and registration.

• President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has dropped below 40% for the first time since his inauguration in June 2025, according to a Realmeter poll. • The decline is attributed to escalating friction between the liberal administration and the Supreme Court over controversial justice appointments.

• The Bangkok Criminal Court granted bail to activist Tantawan Tuatulanon on Monday after she was sentenced to two years in prison. • The conviction stems from a 2022 Facebook livestream filmed before a royal motorcade, leading to charges under Section 112 (lèse-majesté law) and the Computer Crime Act.

• Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll resigned on Monday following repeated clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the removal of several combat-tested leaders. • The resignation highlights internal friction within the Trump administration's Defense Department over leadership changes and military strategy.

• The Supreme Court has restored an election petition filed by a Congress candidate challenging the Lok Sabha election victory of BJP MP Kripanath Mallah in Assam. • The legal action focuses on contesting the validity of Mallah's election to the lower house of Parliament.

• The House of Representatives has returned to session, though many Republicans are eager to return to campaign trails ahead of the upcoming elections. • Lawmakers are currently focused on passing a stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown before departing.

• The Supreme Court ruled on Monday to allow the White House and President Donald Trump to proceed with construction on a $400 million ballroom project. • The decision comes as a divided court permits the work to continue while ongoing lawsuits regarding the project are litigated.

• U.S. House members are returning to Capitol Hill on Monday, Aug. 31, to begin a one-month legislative session. • This work period serves as the final push for legislative activity before the November midterm elections.

• U.S. lawmakers are preparing for a busy fall legislative session as they navigate critical deadlines before the upcoming election cycle. • Congress is expected to pass necessary funding measures to avert a government shutdown, ensuring continued federal operations.

• In Episode 966 of The Smith and Rowland Show, aired August 27, 2026, hosts Jeff Rowland and Alan Smith examine the intersection of Islamic socialism and the Noahide Laws. • The discussion focuses on how small political factions can exert disproportionate influence over the U.S. House or Senate during periods of close division.

• House lawmakers returned to Washington on Monday following a five-week recess in their home districts. • The primary priority is voting on a stopgap spending bill to maintain full federal government funding through early December.

• The U.S. Congress is scheduled to return to session next week to address a significant backlog of pending legislation. • Political analyst Loren Duggan notes that lawmakers facing upcoming re-election bids may struggle to support controversial bills due to political risks.