Politics & World Affairs — September 9, 2026

Pappas, Sununu set Senate showdown. Rep. Chris Pappas (D) and former Sen. John E. Sununu (R) will compete for New Hampshire's open Senate seat. It's one of the GOP's top pickup opportunities in the battle for Senate control.

The Hill · Read more →

Supreme Court blocks Missouri map. The justices declined to let Missouri use a new Trump-backed congressional map in November's election, a setback for Republican redistricting efforts before the midterms.

AP News · Read more →

Appeals court hears mifepristone case. A federal appeals court hears arguments Wednesday on whether to restore restrictions on mailing the abortion drug mifepristone. The case carries national implications for abortion access.

Washington Examiner · Read more →

Iran strikes U.S. base in Jordan. Iran fired missiles at a U.S.-used base after the U.S. destroyed five Iranian oil tankers. Brent crude topped $100 a barrel for the first time since July.

Reuters reports the missile launches were carried out by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which also attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz in what the outlet described as a sharp escalation of the conflict. The dual assault on a military installation and commercial vessels followed the American destruction of the tankers, and the widening confrontation was reflected in oil markets as crude prices climbed past the $100 threshold.

Reuters · Read more →