{"id":13201,"date":"2026-05-26T22:13:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T22:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/05\/26\/trump-urges-texas-republicans-to-vote-for-ken-paxton-as-four-term-senator-john-cornyn-fights-to-hold-seat-live-the-guardian\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T22:13:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T22:13:33","slug":"trump-urges-texas-republicans-to-vote-for-ken-paxton-as-four-term-senator-john-cornyn-fights-to-hold-seat-live-the-guardian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/05\/26\/trump-urges-texas-republicans-to-vote-for-ken-paxton-as-four-term-senator-john-cornyn-fights-to-hold-seat-live-the-guardian\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump urges Texas Republicans to vote for Ken Paxton as four-term senator John Cornyn fights to hold seat \u2013 live &#8211; The Guardian"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><gu-island name=\"EnhancePinnedPost\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{}\"><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<div id=\"pinned-post\" data-gu-marker=\"pinned-post\" data-component=\"pinned-post\">\n<header>\n<h2>Here&#8217;s a recap of the day so far:<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Trump urges Texas Republicans to vote for Ken Paxton in runoff election. <\/strong>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Texas<\/a> heads to the polls for the primaries, Trump reminded his supporters to vote for Attorney General Paxton, who is running against John Cornyn, the incumbent.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Two Republican-led efforts to redraw congressional maps in Alabama and South Carolina hit setbacks. <\/strong>In Alabama, a federal court said the proposed map could not be used because it was drawn to intentionally discriminate against Black voters. The South Carolina Senate voted against redrawing the state\u2019s congressional map due to political and administrative reasons.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Trump completes annual physical after year of public attention to health issues. <\/strong>Trump,<strong> <\/strong>the oldest inaugurated president in US history, completed a physical exam on Tuesday at Walter Reed national military medical center, amid questions around his health. \u201cEverything checked out PERFECTLY,\u201d the US president declared in a social media post.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Trump administration considers asking federal workers to sign NDAs. <\/strong>The goal of asking federal employees to sign nondisclosure agreements is to prevent them from sharing confidential information with journalists.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Iran says US broke ceasefire with overnight strikes, with impact on peace talks unclear. <\/strong>Further to that, while Donald Trump continues to insist that a peace deal is close, Iran has accused the United States of violating the ceasefire after conducting what the US called \u201cself-defense\u201d strikes overnight.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{\"keyEvents\":[{\"id\":\"6a15f4e48f08d8810cdd1c44\",\"elements\":[{\"_type\":\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement\",\"html\":\"\n\n<ul>n <\/p>\n<li>n\n<p><strong>Trump urges Texas Republicans to vote for Ken Paxton in runoff election. <\/strong>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\">Texas<\/a> heads to the polls for the primaries, Trump reminded his supporters to vote for Attorney General Paxton, who is running against John Cornyn, the incumbent.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p>n <\/p>\n<li>n\n<p><strong>Two Republican-led efforts to redraw congressional maps in Alabama and South Carolina hit setbacks. <\/strong>In Alabama, a federal court said the proposed map could not be used because it was drawn to intentionally discriminate against Black voters. The South Carolina Senate voted against redrawing the state\u2019s congressional map due to political and administrative reasons.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p>n <\/p>\n<li>n\n<p><strong>Trump completes annual physical after year of public attention to health issues. <\/strong>Trump,<strong> <\/strong>the oldest inaugurated president in US history, completed a physical exam on Tuesday at Walter Reed national military medical center, amid questions around his health. \u201cEverything checked out PERFECTLY,\u201d the US president declared in a social media post.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p>n <\/p>\n<li>n\n<p><strong>Trump administration considers asking federal workers to sign NDAs. <\/strong>The goal of asking federal employees to sign nondisclosure agreements is to prevent them from sharing confidential information with journalists.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p>n <\/p>\n<li>n\n<p><strong>Iran says US broke ceasefire with overnight strikes, with impact on peace talks unclear. <\/strong>Further to that, while Donald Trump continues to insist that a peace deal is close, Iran has accused the United States of violating the ceasefire after conducting what the US called \u201cself-defense\u201d strikes overnight.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p>n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;e5419509-d9f3-4d14-a46d-8a2c0188a380&#8243;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:true,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:false,&#8221;summary&#8221;:true},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779823844000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;15.30\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779828105000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;16.41\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779824532000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;15.42\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;15.42&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;Here&#8217;s a recap of the day so far:&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a15e1508f083196193de478&#8243;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The South Carolina Senate voted against redrawing the state\u2019s congressional map in order to gain an additional Republican seat, the AP reported.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;437ef486-d779-42d1-af39-792796bc5860&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The push to redraw the map had come from Trump but senators had <strong>political concerns<\/strong> with the new boundaries \u2013 they didn\u2019t think the new boundaries would guarantee Republican success.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;1bd5aee7-60e0-4a2a-becf-b17f52f23c1d&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, there were <strong>administrative concerns<\/strong>; with primaries only about a month away and early voting starting even sooner, new maps would mean conducting another statewide primary for US House races in August.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;577b1f83-55f3-430b-8014-fa7a3887d9a0&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump\u2019s push for South Carolina comes as other <strong>states are also redrawing their maps<\/strong> in the hope of impacting election results.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;bbfcb914-6998-40d0-b42a-0248b0a6f671&#8243;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779818832000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;14.07\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779819413000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;14.16\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779819413000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;14.16\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;14.16&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;South Carolina Senate rejects Trump&#8217;s push to reshape congressional districts&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a15ce858f083196193de387&#8243;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Donald Trump<\/strong> has said \u201ceverything checked out perfectly\u201d following his 6-month physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He wrote on Truth Social:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;c4ebb100-3a0d-45d4-b75e-2f99623084c0&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"quoted\"><p>n <\/p>\n<p>Just finished my 6 month physical at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Everything checked out PERFECTLY. Thank you to the great Doctors and Staff! Heading back to the White House. President DJT<\/p>\n<p>n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;1baa20dd-4d6b-4ee4-99d5-52f20a368963&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Last month a Washington Post\/ABC News\/Ipsos poll found that <strong>less than half of US adults think Trump has the mental sharpness or physical health to serve effectively<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;e32d41c1-0ff1-421c-b9ce-2bb3319bdc11&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think concern for the president\u2019s physical health is probably at <strong>an all-time high<\/strong>, and I think advanced physical age is the No. 1 concern,\u201d Dr Jeffrey Kuhlman, who served as a White House physician under former presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton, told the Associated Press.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;053081b0-2d8c-41cd-b0c1-2f670ba7af63&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Kuhlman said a complete physical would include advanced heart testing, screening for common cancers and a cognitive assessment . The White House had not disclosed what Trump\u2019s check-ups would entail.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;eb1ff2f7-50b1-43f3-8057-2cfb1def88be&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPresident Trump is the sharpest and most accessible President in American history who is working nonstop to solve problems and deliver on his promises, and he remains in excellent health,\u201d White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement issued to the AP ahead of the check-up.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;b5840693-7fd8-40e2-881d-eaadd1054420&#8243;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779814022000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;12.47\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779814284000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;12.51\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779814213000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;12.50\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;12.50&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;Trump says medical check-up went &#8216;perfectly'&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a15c6008f08d8810cdd1a21&#8243;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Further to that, while <strong>Donald Trump<\/strong> continues to insist that a peace deal is close, <strong>Iran<\/strong> has accused the <strong>United States<\/strong> of violating the ceasefire after conducting what the US called \u201cself-defense\u201d strikes overnight.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;3c61d64a-6629-4881-b2ac-d593f9e7e8a4&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s foreign ministry said US strikes in Iran\u2019s southern Hormozgan province, where Iranian media reported sounds of explosions in the early hours of Tuesday, <strong>represented a \u201cgross violation\u201d of the tenuous ceasefire that has been in place for nearly seven weeks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;97a55b43-b3cb-4bd5-bf13-3a1167ade75f&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The US airstrikes are <strong>a sign of \u201cbad faith and unreliability\u201d<\/strong> as negotiations continue, the ministry said, as it warned: <strong>\u201cThe Islamic Republic of Iran will leave no act of aggression unanswered.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;082d0d37-5ba8-4375-90d3-913578421723&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The US military said it acted with restraint in defensively targeting missile launch sites and boats placing mines.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;498766fb-a577-4a81-8721-ff6304ac3495&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The development leaves progress on a peace deal murky, and we\u2019ll bring you any updates throughout the day as we get them.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;9fd891b9-2150-4e78-9707-c0f4030cd6a9&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Both sides had previously indicated progress on a memorandum of understanding that could halt the war and restart shipping through the blockaded <strong>strait of Hormuz<\/strong>, while giving negotiators 60 days to negotiate more complex issues including Iran\u2019s nuclear programme.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;1add09bf-2e69-4963-a5ac-17493c3478f5&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Iranian media reported that Iran\u2019s negotiators had also been pushing for the memorandum to include the release of billions of frozen assets at talks in <strong>Qatar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;80b63bb2-22c8-4a98-9865-da42396416cc&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>You can also follow our Middle East live blog for more coverage:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;dc487eec-2145-4220-9cbb-92b8d6462b1f&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;prefix&#8221;:&#8221;Related: &#8220;,&#8221;text&#8221;:&#8221;Middle East crisis live: Iran\u2019s foreign ministry says US broke ceasefire with overnight strikes&#8221;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;0a305557-4614-47e3-8065-6d9c41a9a445&#8243;,&#8221;role&#8221;:&#8221;thumbnail&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/may\/26\/iran-war-live-updates-us-attacks-iran-missile-sites-self-defence-during-peace-talks&#8221;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779811840000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;12.10\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779812487000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;12.21\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779812375000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;12.19\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;12.19&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;Iran says US broke ceasefire with overnight strikes, with impact on peace talks unclear&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a15c4d38f08d8810cdd1a13&#8243;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>United States<\/strong> has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/26\/us-strikes-iran-missile-sites-vessels-trump-peace-deal-elusive\">launched fresh strikes<\/a> on <strong>Iran<\/strong> despite suggestions that a peace deal could be within reach. <strong>Donald<\/strong> <strong>Trump<\/strong> faces growing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/24\/republican-hawks-trump-deal-iran\">criticism from Republicans<\/a> over the proposed plan to end the war, which reportedly contained major concessions from Washington. But could an agreement still be imminent?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;b3c2c8b4-b3c7-462a-a116-0484abfe4ea3&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In today\u2019s edition of The Latest podcast, Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian\u2019s diplomatic editor <strong>Patrick Wintour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;5146778d-4895-4cbc-8302-02ab086168c0&#8243;},{&#8220;expired&#8221;:false,&#8221;assetId&#8221;:&#8221;rTaaVXNfDVk&#8221;,&#8221;posterImage&#8221;:[{&#8220;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/af3a24c9f25198016fb3e6f73d3b8ec26ffc1ad6\/0_0_1920_1080\/1000.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;width&#8221;:1000},{&#8220;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/af3a24c9f25198016fb3e6f73d3b8ec26ffc1ad6\/0_0_1920_1080\/500.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;width&#8221;:500},{&#8220;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/af3a24c9f25198016fb3e6f73d3b8ec26ffc1ad6\/0_0_1920_1080\/140.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;width&#8221;:140},{&#8220;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/af3a24c9f25198016fb3e6f73d3b8ec26ffc1ad6\/0_0_1920_1080\/1920.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;width&#8221;:1920}],&#8221;id&#8221;:&#8221;6712c21e-d4d0-4607-b414-d0736186e288&#8243;,&#8221;caption&#8221;:&#8221;US strikes Iran as Trump faces backlash over \u2018disastrous\u2019 peace deal plan &#8211; The Latest&#8221;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;7538629b-d3eb-416e-a87e-63aed981ca29&#8243;,&#8221;duration&#8221;:549,&#8221;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.YoutubeBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;mediaTitle&#8221;:&#8221;US strikes Iran as Trump faces backlash over \u2018disastrous\u2019 peace deal plan &#8211; The Latest &#8220;,&#8221;channelId&#8221;:&#8221;UCM22zDl9hUpkLBtPsebTwsA&#8221;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779811539000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;12.05\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779813501000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;12.38\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779811623000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;12.07\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;12.07&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;US strikes Iran as Trump faces backlash over \u2018disastrous\u2019 peace deal plan &#8211; podcast&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a15afa38f08de8142ebfebe&#8221;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Alabama cannot use a new Republican-friendly map in this year\u2019s midterm elections because it was <strong>drawn to intentionally discriminate against Black voters,<\/strong> a panel of three federal judges ruled on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;7e0fde7b-3727-491b-9ee0-1cdf40c1af8e&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The decision blocks Alabama from using a congressional map lawmakers passed in 2023 but never went into effect because the same court found it was drawn with intent to discriminate. Alabama was eventually ordered to adopt a map with two majority-Black districts that both elected Democrats After the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/us-supreme-court\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">US supreme court<\/a> gutted a major provision of the Voting Rights Act in April, <strong>Alabama took the extraordinary step of moving its imminent congressional primary and sought to use the 2023 congressional map this year.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;a2a3cbaa-13bd-4dc9-b3ff-118c9c4706e2&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The state is likely to appeal to the US supreme court.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;b81497d8-333c-4d3a-b17b-23530e3aeaa3&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>But Tuesday\u2019s ruling is significant because the judges said the supreme court\u2019s landmark ruling on the Voting Rights Act did not permit Alabama to use the map.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;bbb856e4-c7c3-4c41-af45-2003040439f4&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe cannot see our way clear to requiring Alabamians to cast their votes in the 2026 elections under a districting plan tainted by intentional race-based discrimination,\u201d the court wrote in its opinion.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;1a0277ea-0786-44a3-a7c7-8cb773a63b0b&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;prefix&#8221;:&#8221;Related: &#8220;,&#8221;text&#8221;:&#8221;Federal court blocks new Republican-friendly voting map in Alabama&#8221;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;58a5e608-1570-41e2-8c5f-9a40a57dee10&#8243;,&#8221;role&#8221;:&#8221;thumbnail&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/26\/alabama-new-congressional-map-struck-down&#8221;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779806115000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;10.35\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779812075000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;12.14\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779806189000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;10.36\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;10.36&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;Federal court blocks new Republican-friendly voting map in Alabama&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[{&#8220;name&#8221;:&#8221;Sam Levine&#8221;,&#8221;imageUrl&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2022\/12\/09\/Sam_Levine.jpg?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=25e62f18000fc746ffbf14a234227fd1&#8243;,&#8221;largeImageUrl&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2022\/12\/09\/Sam_Levine_Next_Gen.png?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=b749a487d2c9f5ea6cea0ef137bce319&#8243;}],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a15a44d8f08f17ac3956ba5&#8243;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>President Trump\u2019s administration floated a plan to ask federal workers to sign non-disclosure agreements, according to a government document released Tuesday, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;73472b6d-0eeb-4f8c-b719-dc398243f247&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This is not the first time the administration has brought up non-disclosure agreements with federal workers. <\/p>\n<p>n  Last year, after the administration fired federal workers in mass amounts for \u201cpoor performance,\u201d they were asked to sign confidentiality agreements, but refused, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2025\/feb\/21\/trump-mass-firings-federal-government-bill\">the Guardian reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;3920aadb-8cf8-4d68-b6c1-d7b6c9118042&#8243;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779803213000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;09.46\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779804008000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;10.00\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779803591000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;09.53\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;09.53&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;Trump administration considers asking federal workers to sign NDAs&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a159af28f08abb451204d11&#8243;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Texas<\/a> heads to the polls for the primaries, Trump reminded his supporters to vote for <strong>Attorney General Ken Paxton<\/strong>, amid other posts Tuesday Morning.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;10e39322-5ef1-4846-a7f6-8eb12f8734cc&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTexas, Vote for Ken Paxton, our Country\u2019s BEST Attorney General!\u201d Trump posted.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;32165d8d-ac2b-4e4e-aa04-1030027d4e0b&#8221;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779800818000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;09.06\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779805983000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;10.33\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779801074000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;09.11\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;09.11&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;Trump urges Texas Republicans to vote for Ken Paxton in runoff election&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a15814a8f08de8142ebfc56&#8243;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>Tyler Hicks<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;c4f9399a-23aa-4eb3-8649-08b08698df3e&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>In the bitter and expensive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=us+Senate+site%3Atheguardian.com&#038;sca_esv=bb6909982b54b99b&#038;sxsrf=ANbL-n4ocJOZjB6W0L-QtRomeav0sAf2-g%3A1779719418475&#038;ei=-lwUasTYHKqh0PEPxOqF-Ak&#038;biw=971&#038;bih=798&#038;ved=0ahUKEwjEvfO909SUAxWqEDQIHUR1AZ8Q4dUDCBA&#038;uact=5&#038;oq=us+Senate+site%3Atheguardian.com&#038;gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiHnVzIFNlbmF0ZSBzaXRlOnRoZWd1YXJkaWFuLmNvbUiOAlAAWFpwAHgAkAEAmAE6oAF0qgEBMrgBA8gBAPgBAZgCAKACAJgDAJIHAKAHGLIHALgHAMIHAMgHAIAIAQ&#038;sclient=gws-wiz-serp\">US Senate<\/a> runoff between John Cornyn, the incumbent, and Ken Paxton, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\">Texas<\/a> attorney general, the state\u2019s Muslim community has been a frequent target for campaign ads and legal challenges.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;7ec366e5-d537-4c15-935c-808a1ca627b3&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Both candidates have tried to portray the other as either too soft on the supposed threat of Islam or insufficiently aggressive toward Muslim institutions.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;78bd6e35-616d-4119-8fdd-59fa480636f0&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery time it\u2019s an election year, this is one of the favorite cards that the GOP plays to get votes,\u201d said Shehla Faizi, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\">Texas<\/a> Muslim running for state comptroller as a member of the Green party. \u201cWe have a boogeyman, the boogeyman are Muslims, and we\u2019re going to use that to make people afraid and force them to vote for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;dbebc112-cfcc-4002-b5c1-8d7b3136d1f9&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Yet the many experts and advocates interviewed for this story all agreed that the frequency and vitriol of this year\u2019s anti-Islam attacks seems to have reached a fever pitch \u2013 an observation <a href=\"https:\/\/www.csohate.org\/2026\/03\/09\/us-israel-iran-war-islamophobia\/\">backed up by data<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;d5c47aee-172d-4cdf-9045-ecc6c7164ce6&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, Paxton and Paxton-allied groups ran ads accusing Cornyn of supporting \u201cMuslim mass <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/usimmigration\">immigration<\/a>\u201d and having \u201ca special place in his heart for radical Islam\u201d. Cornyn, meanwhile, has responded by emphasizing his record \u201cfighting radical Islamic extremism\u201d and drafting a bill aimed at \u201c[stopping] the spread of Sharia Law in the U.S.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;738fb4a0-2d60-4196-9393-cbfc4bf7c84a&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Even though the Senate campaign will come to an end with the 26 May election, Texas Muslims say <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/republicans\">Republican<\/a> politicians are fanning the flames of anti-Muslim bigotry that\u2019s already been at the center of <a href=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/2025\/12\/03\/muslim-students-warn-of-spate-of-harassment-by-far-right-christian-agitators\/\">many<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kut.org\/crime-justice\/2025-12-30\/anti-muslim-protest-austin-police-apd-hate-speech-tx\">racist<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonpublicmedia.org\/articles\/news\/religion\/2025\/11\/05\/535207\/muslim-student-group-says-a-protestor-burned-a-quran-during-prayer-at-university-of-houston\/?amp=1\">incidents<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/amp\/texas\/news\/muslim-leaders-call-for-action-student-group-prayer-plano-park-verbal-attack\/\">in Texas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;43409f90-8e00-4bbe-8592-95a7359e057d&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;prefix&#8221;:&#8221;Related: &#8220;,&#8221;text&#8221;:&#8221;Texas Senate runoff sees surge of anti-Muslim rhetoric in campaign ads&#8221;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;08d17b45-fd39-43c5-8126-982bda05e88e&#8221;,&#8221;role&#8221;:&#8221;thumbnail&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/26\/texas-senate-runoff-anti-muslim-ad&#8221;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779794250000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;07.17\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779805951000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;10.32\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779795107000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;07.31\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;07.31&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;Analysis: Texas Senate runoff sees surge of anti-Muslim rhetoric in campaign ads&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a156c418f08de8142ebfb56&#8243;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Donald Trump<\/a> is scheduled to get a medical exam on Tuesday, putting his health under renewed public scrutiny after he has worked to dismiss concerns over his age and stamina.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;56eb312d-6abb-4647-b7da-d35fc077093e&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The 79-year-old president is scheduled to visit Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White House described as annual preventative medical and dental checkups, AP reported.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;bed1bc6f-a155-4ddb-b259-ea7ec4ee4fb6&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>It will be Trump\u2019s fourth publicly disclosed medical exam since he returned to office for a second term, and comes as he tries to project strength ahead of midterm elections that will test his sway with voters.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;39b00a73-dc2c-40c5-8d0d-66cade7eee28&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump turns 80 next month and was the oldest person elected US president. His predecessor, former president Joe Biden, was 82 when he left office, dropping out of the 2024 presidential race because of widespread concerns he was too old for the job.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;ec8a6def-92fd-47d2-b51d-f449dc937d3d&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>A Washington Post\/ABC News\/Ipsos poll conducted in April found that less than half of US adults think Trump has the mental sharpness or physical health to serve effectively as president.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;8bcdc227-5a26-4831-8420-ae6c1cddca02&#8243;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779791011000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;06.23\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779805848000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;10.30\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779793501000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;07.05\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;07.05&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;Trump scheduled to see doctors for his annual physical&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a1575508f08abb451204b23&#8243;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ken-paxton\">Ken Paxton<\/a>, the state attorney general, takes on four-term incumbent John Cornyn on Tuesday in the ugliest primary election of the year. The winner of the Republican Senate runoff in Texas will contest November\u2019s general election against Democrat James Talarico.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;4f091ea1-1f7e-43e2-9970-371d86200c0a&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Paxton and Cornyn have spent months coveting the most valuable endorsement in Republican politics: Donald Trump. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/19\/trump-endorses-republican-ken-paxton-senate\">Last week, scandal-plagued Paxton got it<\/a>, with the US president describing him as \u201ca true Maga warrior\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;4bbf0b7b-96f0-42fa-8975-99e552e86986&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Supporters in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinneytexas.org\/\">McKinney, Texas<\/a>, agree. \u201cPaxton is more conservative,\u201d said Jim Tubbesing, 77, strolling in Paxton\u2019s home town, a tranquil vision of Americana with cute antique shops, trendy bistros and a walkable historic downtown exuding 19th-century charm.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;8b183e19-26df-4028-b255-faad58fc3882&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe has been good for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\">Texas<\/a>. I vote for the policy, not the fact that he\u2019s alleged to have done something.\u201d Tubbesing, calling Cornyn a \u201cRino: Republican in name only.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;368781f6-e9e0-4696-8832-8b4333325eec&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The runoff is not fundamentally about policy, since Cornyn and Paxton would vote the same way on almost every piece of legislation. It is more about vibe and style, and has huge implications for Texas, control of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/us-senate\">US Senate<\/a>, and the future direction of the Republican party.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;a478040c-1cbf-4f46-8672-c9a89f508797&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Cornyn, a former Texas attorney general and state supreme court justice, is widely seen as a last gasp of the Republican establishment. In a primary on 3 March, he narrowly beat Paxton, a far-right hardliner who has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/05\/18\/us\/politics\/ken-paxton-texas-senate-race.html\">impeached and indicted<\/a>. But those aggressive stances on immigration and culture war issues appeal to the party\u2019s base. But both men qualified for the runoff.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;9f354b93-514e-47b3-be99-9a99ff50736c&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;prefix&#8221;:&#8221;Related: &#8220;,&#8221;text&#8221;:&#8221;\u2018True Maga warrior\u2019 takes on old-guard Texan in key test of Trump\u2019s GOP grip&#8221;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;9e4ffa64-7db4-4cce-ad8c-53964920a3c3&#8243;,&#8221;role&#8221;:&#8221;thumbnail&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/26\/republican-primary-runoff-texas&#8221;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779791184000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;06.26\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779805884000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;10.31\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779792114000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;06.41\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;06.41&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;America\u2019s ugliest primary? Texas Republican infighting could hand Senate seat to Democrat&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[{&#8220;name&#8221;:&#8221;David Smith&#8221;,&#8221;imageUrl&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2023\/05\/25\/David_Smith.jpg?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=96a67219643c746ee727051afdf7395a&#8221;,&#8221;largeImageUrl&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2023\/05\/25\/David_Smith.png?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=8e678f807c7b80aae11b03fbc186f49b&#8221;}],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;},{&#8220;id&#8221;:&#8221;6a156a5f8f08de8142ebfb3e&#8221;,&#8221;elements&#8221;:[{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;b4d20714-5777-41bc-9d55-9ee37e91c653&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Texans are voting for a Republican nominee for US Senate in Tuesday\u2019s runoff election, following Donald Trump\u2019s late bid to influence the race in his latest effort to rid the GOP of figures who are less devoted to him.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;14fd495c-d1a6-4cbb-87e7-cb98d0713ed3&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The president\u2019s endorsement of state attorney-general Ken Paxton over four-term senator John Cornyn gave the challenger a late boost, leaving Cornyn at risk of becoming the first Republican senator in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Texas<\/a> history to seek the party\u2019s nod and lose.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;36eb00da-4fb4-4fc8-a79d-d3a772bdde94&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>It comes despite Cornyn\u2019s campaign and allied groups spending roughly $90m in advertising since last year, the vast majority of it attacking Paxton, AP reported.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;73be29c5-6d67-4d78-b671-30b41952e057&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the latest GOP contest where Trump has sought to punish a Republican he sees as insufficiently loyal. This month, he has successfully backed challengers to incumbents in Louisiana, Kentucky and Indiana &#8211; a sign of his enduring influence among primary voters.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;365749ca-6c53-4220-b35a-43bb96c47162&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Paxton\u2019s campaign and a pro-Paxton super PAC began airing ads promoting the endorsement within 24 hours of Trump\u2019s announcement. Cornyn acknowledged Trump\u2019s move would have an impact but said he wasn\u2019t giving up.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;c086c117-b9b4-470e-8fb9-d4c4ef8aaac7&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know who gets to choose our senators, and it\u2019s the people of Texas,\u201d he said hours after the endorsement. The winner will run in November against the Democratic candidate James Talarico.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;b19a70cf-d504-41e5-83d9-d3921ab3e4e1&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Tuesday\u2019s runoffs also will decide Democratic US House nominees for districts in Dallas and Houston that overwhelmingly support Democrats and a San Antonio-area seat the party hopes to flip.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;0b5512cc-9033-4b1b-b9db-517842064787&#8243;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In other developments:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;5948310e-b275-4d8a-8fb9-823739d81b7a&#8221;},{&#8220;_type&#8221;:&#8221;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&#8221;,&#8221;html&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\n<ul>n <\/p>\n<li>n\n<p><strong>Iran has poured cold water on suggestions that a deal with the US is imminent, pointing to the confusion in US positions and Israeli interference as reasons why an agreement is proving difficult to secure.<\/strong> Speaking at the weekly foreign ministry press briefing, Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran\u2019s negotiating team, also said future management of the strait of Hormuz was a matter for Oman and Iran to agree on, and that it was not tolls that were being proposed but \u201cfees for navigational services\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p>n <\/p>\n<li>n\n<p><strong>By contrast, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said that a deal was still possible, adding that the strait of Hormuz would open \u201cone way or another\u201d.<\/strong> \u201cThere were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we\u2019ll see if we can make progress. I think it\u2019s a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document,\u201d Rubio told reporters in Jaipur during an official visit to India.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p>n <\/p>\n<li>n\n<p><strong>A Trump Tower planned for the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, is to be built on land currently part-owned by the son of the US-sanctioned leader of the country, according to official records.<\/strong> The proposed skyscraper, a joint venture between a local consortium and the Trump Organization, which is managed by the US president\u2019s sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, will be on a plot whose current registered owner is the International Charity Fund Cartu.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p>n <\/p>\n<li>n\n<p><strong>Mexico\u2019s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, said on Monday her government agreed to allow the Iranian national football team to stay in Mexico during the World Cup, adding that the United States did not want to host the team.<\/strong> Sheinbaum said football\u2019s governing body Fifa approached her government after the US said it did not want Iran\u2019s squad to stay in the country throughout the tournament, despite Iran playing all three of its group matches there.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p>n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8220;,&#8221;elementId&#8221;:&#8221;b27f195a-66a9-4ac3-bf5f-832504670e65&#8243;}],&#8221;attributes&#8221;:{&#8220;pinned&#8221;:false,&#8221;keyEvent&#8221;:true,&#8221;summary&#8221;:false},&#8221;blockCreatedOn&#8221;:1779791011000,&#8221;blockCreatedOnDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;06.23\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockLastUpdated&#8221;:1779803211000,&#8221;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;09.46\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublished&#8221;:1779791011000,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&#8221;:&#8221;06.23\u00a0EDT&#8221;,&#8221;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&#8221;:&#8221;06.23&#8243;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;Cornyn tries to hold on to Texas Senate seat in runoff with Trump-backed Paxton&#8221;,&#8221;contributors&#8221;:[],&#8221;primaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;Tue 26 May 2026 18.03 EDT&#8221;,&#8221;secondaryDateLine&#8221;:&#8221;First published on Tue 26 May 2026 06.23 EDT&#8221;}],&#8221;filterKeyEvents&#8221;:false,&#8221;id&#8221;:&#8221;key-events-carousel-mobile&#8221;,&#8221;renderingTarget&#8221;:&#8221;Web&#8221;,&#8221;serverTime&#8221;:1779833682246}&#8221;><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"><\/span><span><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{\"filterKeyEvents\":false,\"id\":\"filter-toggle-mobile\"}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\">Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/p>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6a160e388f083196193de592\">\n<header>\n<p><span>Richard Luscombe<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/nasa\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Nasa<\/a> announced on Tuesday ambitious plans for three uncrewed lunar missions this year to kickstart construction of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/2026\/mar\/24\/nasa-moon-base-cancelling-artemis\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">$20bn moon base<\/a>, and said it had chosen the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/blue-origin\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Blue Origin<\/a>, ahead of Elon Musk\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/spacex\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">SpaceX<\/a>, to conduct the first.<\/p>\n<p>The revelation by Nasa\u2019s administrator, Jared Isaacman, at a press conference in Washington DC marked the first detailed public explanation of how and when the moon base will be built.<\/p>\n<p>He said the three missions planned for 2026 would be followed by \u201cmore than a dozen\u201d more in the coming years to test systems and equipment. He said the highly successful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/artemis-ii\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Artemis II mission<\/a> last month that sent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/2026\/apr\/10\/artemis-ii-landing-return-moon-mission\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">four astronauts around the moon<\/a> for the first time since 1972 had been both a catalyst and incentive to advance the moon base plan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople are looking up again, believing in big things again, and paying attention as America returns to the moon again, and this time to stay,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He added, without mentioning any names, that the agency had been \u201chaving the tough conversations with those failing to meet expectations\u201d since the Artemis splashdown on 10 April.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"f4f9b814-d46e-4280-9839-deda3e3e0ae4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{\"richLinkIndex\":5,\"element\":{\"_type\":\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\",\"prefix\":\"Related: \",\"text\":\"Nasa selects Jeff Bezos\u2019s Blue Origin for first of three uncrewed lunar missions\",\"elementId\":\"f4f9b814-d46e-4280-9839-deda3e3e0ae4\",\"role\":\"inline\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/2026\/may\/26\/nasa-jeff-bezos-blue-origin\"},\"ajaxUrl\":\"https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk\",\"format\":{\"design\":11,\"display\":0,\"theme\":0}}\"><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<article id=\"block-6a160efc8f083196193de595\">\n<header><\/header>\n<p><strong>Today, Texans are voting for a Republican nominee for US Senate in a runoff election. <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ken-paxton\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Ken Paxton<\/a>, the state attorney general, is competing against four-term incumbent John Cornyn.<\/p>\n<p>The winner of the runoff will go up against Democrat James Talarico in November\u2019s general election. Recent polls have put Talarico, with his blend of faith-based populism, bipartisan appeal and generational energy, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/28\/texas-senate-talarico-leads-race-cornyn-paxton\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">in a tight race with Cornyn and Paxton<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/19\/trump-endorses-republican-ken-paxton-senate\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Last week, Donald Trump endorsed<\/a> Paxton, who Trump called \u201ca true Maga warrior\u201d. But Paxton has been embroiled in a series of controversies. He was acquitted in a 2023 impeachment trial on corruption charges. He also reached a deal in 2024 to end a long-running securities fraud case.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Guardian follows the Associated Press in calling an election. We\u2019ll bring you the results from Texas\u2019s runoff election as the AP calls the races. <\/strong>Polls in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Texas<\/a> close at 7pm local time, with polls split across the Central and Mountain time zones.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s more of our latest coverage of the runoff:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"24540117-d38b-47cb-b3d3-48a5994308e0\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{\"richLinkIndex\":5,\"element\":{\"_type\":\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\",\"prefix\":\"Related: \",\"text\":\"America\u2019s ugliest primary? Texas Republican infighting could hand Senate seat to Democrat\",\"elementId\":\"24540117-d38b-47cb-b3d3-48a5994308e0\",\"role\":\"inline\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/26\/republican-primary-runoff-texas\"},\"ajaxUrl\":\"https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk\",\"format\":{\"design\":11,\"display\":0,\"theme\":0}}\"><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"422b5c0a-88bd-469e-8595-3dfdbd3e14d3\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{\"richLinkIndex\":6,\"element\":{\"_type\":\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\",\"prefix\":\"Related: \",\"text\":\"Trump endorses attorney general Ken Paxton in Texas Senate primary\",\"elementId\":\"422b5c0a-88bd-469e-8595-3dfdbd3e14d3\",\"role\":\"inline\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/19\/trump-endorses-republican-ken-paxton-senate\"},\"ajaxUrl\":\"https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk\",\"format\":{\"design\":11,\"display\":0,\"theme\":0}}\"><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<article id=\"block-6a160afc8f0803c3c6f958c2\">\n<header><\/header>\n<p><strong>Brazilian senator Fl\u00e1vio Bolsonaro, son of the country\u2019s former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, met with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Donald Trump<\/a> at the White House today, Reuters reports, citing Bolsonaro.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fl\u00e1vio Bolsonaro is currently running for Brazil\u2019s presidency against incumbent president Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva, who met with Trump earlier this month. Bolsonaro has been trying to shore up his election bid after The Intercept published leaked messages showing the senator received millions in donations from a Brazilian banker accused of defrauding customers of millions of dollars.<\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6a1606b68f083196193de56d\">\n<header><\/header>\n<p><strong>Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts have become the first in the nation to certify a union for gig-economy workers of ride-hailing apps.<\/strong> On Friday, the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations certified the App Drivers Union, which represents nearly 70,000 drivers classified as independent contractors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt changes the \u200bgame for ride-share workers across this country,\u201d Massachusetts governor <strong>Maura Healey<\/strong> said at a rally \u200bwith drivers and labor activists in Boston today. Labor leaders hailed the victory as the largest organizing win since Ford autoworkers unionized in 1941.<\/p>\n<p>The victory comes as drivers say they\u2019re contending with rising gas, insurance and other costs, alongside the rise of self-driving vehicles. Similar efforts to unionize ride-share drivers are under way in <strong>California<\/strong> and <strong>Illinois<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6a1600538f08d8810cdd1c8a\">\n<header><\/header>\n<p><strong>The winning plan to rebuild Penn Station features Donald Trump\u2019s name and preferred architectural style throughout, according to documents obtained by the New York City news site <a href=\"https:\/\/gothamist.com\/news\/exclusive-renderings-of-penn-station-overhaul-show-trumps-name-with-presidential-seal?fbclid=IwY2xjawSC3dtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFLUkk1SW0zY0l4S0RxcjJxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqbu29KgYoIHFOwZSBXRSoS4lAat-K7JBFoEw8eHtMbmESqbx85Wn6QKkETu_aem_SGPFx3kqjitIfuSGW2BtUQ\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Gothamist<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Trump\u2019s transportation department <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2025\/apr\/17\/trump-penn-station-new-york-mta\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">took control of the Penn Station rebuild<\/a> alongside Amtrak last year, saying it would save taxpayers money and champion a public-private partnership in the redesign. Earlier this year, the White House proposed renaming Penn Station as \u201cTrump Station\u201d, <a href=\"https:\/\/gothamist.com\/news\/is-nyc-ready-to-accept-trump-station-to-fix-penn-station\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Gothamist<\/a> reported in February.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, the transportation department announced it had chosen Penn Station Partners as the <a href=\"https:\/\/gothamist.com\/news\/feds-pick-design-for-penn-station-rebuild-wont-move-madison-square-garden\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">\u201cmaster developer\u201d<\/a> for the station. Gothamist reports that \u201cNew York elected officials criticized the bidding process for a lack of transparency. The details of Amtrak\u2019s request for proposals, as well as the three final bidders\u2019 plans for Penn, were kept under wraps.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Internal documents obtained by Gothamist include a rendering of the station\u2019s proposed new Eighth Avenue entrance, which includes a large plaque with Donald Trump\u2019s name etched into marble alongside a presidential seal. The renderings also show gold-accented railings throughout the station and American flags at the entrance, echoing designs for the new White House ballroom.<\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6a15fcad8f0803c3c6f95877\">\n<header><\/header>\n<p><strong>The United States Space Force has awarded a $2.29 bn contract to Elon Musk\u2019s SpaceX, which would see the tech billionaire\u2019s aerospace and artificial intelligence company build a satellite communications network to connect military sensors and weapons platforms around the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>SpaceX has previously won several military contracts for work on satellite communications. Here\u2019s more of our previous reporting on the subject:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"acaa4738-59b5-483f-b0b1-dc5845d5d663\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{\"richLinkIndex\":2,\"element\":{\"_type\":\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\",\"prefix\":\"Related: \",\"text\":\"SpaceX wins first US tender in a decade to launch military satellite\",\"elementId\":\"acaa4738-59b5-483f-b0b1-dc5845d5d663\",\"role\":\"inline\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2016\/apr\/28\/update-2-spacex-breaks-boeing-lockheed-monopoly-on-military-space-launches\"},\"ajaxUrl\":\"https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk\",\"format\":{\"design\":11,\"display\":0,\"theme\":0}}\"><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"3e97b32f-aee8-4c8a-9a96-624cbdb83d33\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{\"richLinkIndex\":3,\"element\":{\"_type\":\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\",\"prefix\":\"Related: \",\"text\":\"US military\u2019s X-37B robot spaceplane blasts off on secret mission aboard SpaceX rocket \",\"elementId\":\"3e97b32f-aee8-4c8a-9a96-624cbdb83d33\",\"role\":\"inline\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/2023\/dec\/29\/us-military-x-37b-robot-spaceplane-spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-secret-mission\"},\"ajaxUrl\":\"https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk\",\"format\":{\"design\":11,\"display\":0,\"theme\":0}}\"><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"8e2bb57f-54da-4e03-b8ab-902bc9ba4020\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{\"richLinkIndex\":4,\"element\":{\"_type\":\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\",\"prefix\":\"Related: \",\"text\":\"Elon Musk has gained a concerning level of power over US national security | Robert Reich\",\"elementId\":\"8e2bb57f-54da-4e03-b8ab-902bc9ba4020\",\"role\":\"inline\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2024\/sep\/26\/elon-musk-us-national-security\"},\"ajaxUrl\":\"https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk\",\"format\":{\"design\":11,\"display\":0,\"theme\":0}}\"><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<article id=\"block-6a15f97b8f0803c3c6f9586e\">\n<header><\/header>\n<p>Vice President JD Vance held a roundtable for state attorneys general on anti-fraud initiatives Tuesday afternoon. Democratic attorneys general declined, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4581674\/democratic-attorneys-general-vance-fraud-task-force-meeting\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">reported<\/a> the Washington Examiner, claiming it was not a good-faith effort.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"b7133249-8ea7-4da1-8836-500ef4082512\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-2\"><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"><source  media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Vice President JD Vance listens as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller speaks in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House complex, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ca55c1444a6a10126be381d2468cef91bc134acd\/522_0_4566_3652\/master\/4566.jpg?width=465&#038;dpr=1&#038;s=none&#038;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"371.9185282522996\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><span><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><span>Vice President JD Vance listens as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller speaks in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House complex, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)<\/span> Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>  About two dozen Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter to Vance, saying:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<p><svg viewBox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\" \/><\/svg>\u201cWhile we would appreciate the opportunity to engage in serious discussions, the invitation was provided with less than one business day\u2019s notice with no agenda. This short notice does not match the spirit of collaboration that has long defined our joint efforts with federal partners. Accordingly, we respectfully decline to attend at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<article id=\"block-6a15f4e48f08d8810cdd1c44\">\n<header>\n<h2>Here&#8217;s a recap of the day so far:<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Trump urges Texas Republicans to vote for Ken Paxton in runoff election. <\/strong>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Texas<\/a> heads to the polls for the primaries, Trump reminded his supporters to vote for Attorney General Paxton, who is running against John Cornyn, the incumbent.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Two Republican-led efforts to redraw congressional maps in Alabama and South Carolina hit setbacks. <\/strong>In Alabama, a federal court said the proposed map could not be used because it was drawn to intentionally discriminate against Black voters. The South Carolina Senate voted against redrawing the state\u2019s congressional map due to political and administrative reasons.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Trump completes annual physical after year of public attention to health issues. <\/strong>Trump,<strong> <\/strong>the oldest inaugurated president in US history, completed a physical exam on Tuesday at Walter Reed national military medical center, amid questions around his health. \u201cEverything checked out PERFECTLY,\u201d the US president declared in a social media post.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Trump administration considers asking federal workers to sign NDAs. <\/strong>The goal of asking federal employees to sign nondisclosure agreements is to prevent them from sharing confidential information with journalists.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Iran says US broke ceasefire with overnight strikes, with impact on peace talks unclear. <\/strong>Further to that, while Donald Trump continues to insist that a peace deal is close, Iran has accused the United States of violating the ceasefire after conducting what the US called \u201cself-defense\u201d strikes overnight.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<article id=\"block-6a15f09b8f083196193de4f8\">\n<header>\n<p><span>Michael Sainato<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<p>The goal of asking <strong>federal employees to sign nondisclosure agreements<\/strong> is to prevent them from sharing confidential information with journalists.<\/p>\n<p>The office of personnel management (OPM), the human resources office for the US government, released a draft nondisclosure agreement designed for federal agencies to use with new and existing employees. <strong>Under the draft agreement, the administration could pursue civil and criminal penalties against employees who violate it.<\/strong> The US government would be entitled to all \u201croyalties\u201d that employees receive from disclosing information that violates the agreement, according to the draft.<\/p>\n<p>The OPM did not immediately offer further explanation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The draft form is the latest step in the president\u2019s effort to exert more control over US government workers and the flow of information to the public.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis move is rooted in concerns that unauthorized disclosures of sensitive government information are disrupting agency operations and eroding trust across government,\u201d an <strong>OPM spokesperson, McLaurine Pinover<\/strong>, said in an email to Reuters.<\/p>\n<p>Former government employees would need \u201cwritten permission from an authorized agency official\u201d to speak to journalists about information the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/trump-administration\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Trump administration<\/a> deems \u201cconfidential\u201d after leaving their jobs, according to the draft. Former employees who violate that rule could be subject to civil and criminal penalties.<\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6a15e1508f083196193de478\">\n<header>\n<h2>South Carolina Senate rejects Trump&#8217;s push to reshape congressional districts<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p>The South Carolina Senate voted against redrawing the state\u2019s congressional map in order to gain an additional Republican seat, the AP reported.<\/p>\n<p>The push to redraw the map had come from Trump but senators had <strong>political concerns<\/strong> with the new boundaries \u2013 they didn\u2019t think the new boundaries would guarantee Republican success.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, there were <strong>administrative concerns<\/strong>; with primaries only about a month away and early voting starting even sooner, new maps would mean conducting another statewide primary for US House races in August.<\/p>\n<p>Trump\u2019s push for South Carolina comes as other <strong>states are also redrawing their maps<\/strong> in the hope of impacting election results.<\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6a15de148f08d8810cdd1b57\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/pictures\/2014\/9\/9\/1410298545138\/George-Chidi.jpg?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=c01643cb3d3919e9c3b292ea62ad9ab2\" alt=\"George Chidi\"><\/p>\n<p><span>George Chidi<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p><strong>Thomas Massie<\/strong>, the conservative <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/kentucky\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Kentucky<\/a> congressman filed to run again for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/house-of-representatives\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">US House of Representatives<\/a> in 2028, less than a week after losing to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s handpicked challenger, <strong>Ed Gallrein<\/strong>, 55-45 in a bruising primary.<\/p>\n<p>The US president celebrated last week as Massie \u2013 a Republican thorn in his side \u2013 became the latest to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/19\/kentucky-republican-primary-trump-massie\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">ousted from office by his political operation<\/a>. \u201cHe deserves to lose,\u201d claimed Trump.<\/p>\n<p>But Massie, who has seven months left in Congress, has made clear he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/24\/thomas-massie-trump-republican-voters-midterms\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">plans to remain engaged<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI filed with FEC for the 2028 House race,\u201d he wrote on social media on Monday. \u201cThis allows me to raise funds to continue my political operations supporting my position as a current office holder and as a potential candidate for federal office. I haven\u2019t made a final decision about which office to seek, if I run.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Discussion has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/could-thomas-massie-bounce-failure-2028-white-house-bid-11971021\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">emerged<\/a> about Massie\u2019s potential as a US presidential candidate in a post-Trump political environment, despite his loss last Tuesday.<\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6a15d7328f08d8810cdd1b20\">\n<header><\/header>\n<p>The National Redistricting Foundation applauded the federal court\u2019s blocking of Alabama\u2019s attempt to bring back a 2023 congressional map.<\/p>\n<p>Marina Jenkins, the executive director of the Foundation, said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<p><svg viewBox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\" \/><\/svg>\u201cAlabama must use its 2023 court-adopted map\u2014a map with two Black opportunity districts\u2014in this year\u2019s elections. Make no mistake, the fight for justice is far from over in states across the country where politicians are enacting gerrymanders on top of gerrymanders to erase equal representation for communities of color. The message from this panel is clear: courts must fulfill their independent duty to protect voters\u2019 rights, not just rubber-stamp state officials\u2019 efforts to use the Supreme Court\u2019s <em>Callais<\/em> decision as an excuse to draw Black voters out of a say in our democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<article id=\"block-6a15ce858f083196193de387\">\n<header>\n<h2>Trump says medical check-up went &#8216;perfectly&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p><strong>Donald Trump<\/strong> has said \u201ceverything checked out perfectly\u201d following his 6-month physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He wrote on Truth Social:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<p><svg viewBox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\" \/><\/svg>Just finished my 6 month physical at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Everything checked out PERFECTLY. Thank you to the great Doctors and Staff! Heading back to the White House. President DJT<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Last month a Washington Post\/ABC News\/Ipsos poll found that <strong>less than half of US adults think Trump has the mental sharpness or physical health to serve effectively<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think concern for the president\u2019s physical health is probably at <strong>an all-time high<\/strong>, and I think advanced physical age is the No. 1 concern,\u201d Dr Jeffrey Kuhlman, who served as a White House physician under former presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton, told the Associated Press.<\/p>\n<p>Kuhlman said a complete physical would include advanced heart testing, screening for common cancers and a cognitive assessment . The White House had not disclosed what Trump\u2019s check-ups would entail.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPresident Trump is the sharpest and most accessible President in American history who is working nonstop to solve problems and deliver on his promises, and he remains in excellent health,\u201d White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement issued to the AP ahead of the check-up.<\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6a15c6008f08d8810cdd1a21\">\n<header>\n<h2>Iran says US broke ceasefire with overnight strikes, with impact on peace talks unclear<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p>Further to that, while <strong>Donald Trump<\/strong> continues to insist that a peace deal is close, <strong>Iran<\/strong> has accused the <strong>United States<\/strong> of violating the ceasefire after conducting what the US called \u201cself-defense\u201d strikes overnight.<\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s foreign ministry said US strikes in Iran\u2019s southern Hormozgan province, where Iranian media reported sounds of explosions in the early hours of Tuesday, <strong>represented a \u201cgross violation\u201d of the tenuous ceasefire that has been in place for nearly seven weeks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The US airstrikes are <strong>a sign of \u201cbad faith and unreliability\u201d<\/strong> as negotiations continue, the ministry said, as it warned: <strong>\u201cThe Islamic Republic of Iran will leave no act of aggression unanswered.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The US military said it acted with restraint in defensively targeting missile launch sites and boats placing mines.<\/p>\n<p>The development leaves progress on a peace deal murky, and we\u2019ll bring you any updates throughout the day as we get them.<\/p>\n<p>Both sides had previously indicated progress on a memorandum of understanding that could halt the war and restart shipping through the blockaded <strong>strait of Hormuz<\/strong>, while giving negotiators 60 days to negotiate more complex issues including Iran\u2019s nuclear programme.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian media reported that Iran\u2019s negotiators had also been pushing for the memorandum to include the release of billions of frozen assets at talks in <strong>Qatar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><em>You can also follow our Middle East live blog for more coverage:<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"c04595d1-552a-4f45-b670-0eb4b7bdaff7\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{\"richLinkIndex\":8,\"element\":{\"_type\":\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\",\"prefix\":\"Related: \",\"text\":\"Middle East crisis live: Iran\u2019s foreign ministry says US broke ceasefire with overnight strikes\",\"elementId\":\"c04595d1-552a-4f45-b670-0eb4b7bdaff7\",\"role\":\"inline\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/may\/26\/iran-war-live-updates-us-attacks-iran-missile-sites-self-defence-during-peace-talks\"},\"ajaxUrl\":\"https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk\",\"format\":{\"design\":11,\"display\":0,\"theme\":0}}\"><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<article id=\"block-6a15c4d38f08d8810cdd1a13\">\n<header>\n<h2>US strikes Iran as Trump faces backlash over \u2018disastrous\u2019 peace deal plan &#8211; podcast<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p>The <strong>United States<\/strong> has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/26\/us-strikes-iran-missile-sites-vessels-trump-peace-deal-elusive\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">launched fresh strikes<\/a> on <strong>Iran<\/strong> despite suggestions that a peace deal could be within reach. <strong>Donald<\/strong> <strong>Trump<\/strong> faces growing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/24\/republican-hawks-trump-deal-iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">criticism from Republicans<\/a> over the proposed plan to end the war, which reportedly contained major concessions from Washington. But could an agreement still be imminent?<\/p>\n<p>In today\u2019s edition of The Latest podcast, Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian\u2019s diplomatic editor <strong>Patrick Wintour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"6e3b6d71-6668-4c45-ad26-5ba137035348\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.YoutubeBlockElement\"><gu-island name=\"YoutubeBlockComponent\" priority=\"critical\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{\"id\":\"6712c21e-d4d0-4607-b414-d0736186e288\",\"assetId\":\"rTaaVXNfDVk\",\"index\":2,\"format\":{\"design\":11,\"display\":0,\"theme\":0},\"isMainMedia\":false,\"expired\":false,\"posterImage\":\"https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/af3a24c9f25198016fb3e6f73d3b8ec26ffc1ad6\/0_0_1920_1080\/1920.jpg\",\"duration\":549,\"mediaTitle\":\"US strikes Iran as Trump faces backlash over \u2018disastrous\u2019 peace deal plan - The Latest\",\"origin\":\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\",\"stickyVideos\":true,\"enableAds\":true,\"hidePillOnMobile\":false}\"><\/p>\n<div data-chromatic=\"ignore\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\"><span><svg width=\"36\" height=\"23\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 23\"><path d=\"M3.2 0l-3.2 3.3v16.4l3.3 3.3h18.7v-23h-18.8m30.4 1l-8.6 8v5l8.6 8h2.4v-21h-2.4\" \/><\/svg><\/span><span>US strikes Iran as Trump faces backlash over \u2018disastrous\u2019 peace deal plan &#8211; The Latest<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<article id=\"block-6a15c0f28f083196193de2e5\">\n<header><\/header>\n<p>President Trump raised the cap on refugee admissions for the current year by 10,000, a move aimed at allowed more white South Africans into the US, a signed presidential determination seen by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/africa\/trump-raises-refugee-ceiling-by-10000-bring-more-white-south-africans-white-2026-05-26\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Reuters<\/a> disclosed.<\/p>\n<p>White South Africans of Afrikaner ethnicity are in dire circumstances in the majority-Black \u2060country, \u200cbecause of \u2018incitement of \u2060racially motivated violence\u2019 by the South African government and political parties, said the document which was dated May 21.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Trump halted refugee admissions from around the globe when he took the presidential oath in 2025, but soon launched a program that specifically brought white South Africans into the US. <\/p>\n<p>  The total cap on the number of white South African refugee admissions into the US for the 2026 fiscal year is now 17,500.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<article id=\"block-6a15bc018f08d8810cdd197c\">\n<header><\/header>\n<p>The Supreme Court won\u2019t intercede in an discrimination lawsuit that <strong>Brian Flores<\/strong>, the Miami Dolphins head coach, filed against the <strong>NFL<\/strong>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/supreme-court-nfl-discrimination-lawsuit-brian-flores-91d9e10737e7f080f7dc900e849657ea\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">AP reported<\/a> Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>The NFL had appealed to the Court, asking that the case be handled through an arbitration process instead of open court in New York.<\/p>\n<p>Flores filed his lawsuit against the league and three teams in February 2022, <strong>claiming that the league is \u201crife with racism,\u201d with regards to its hiring of Black coaches<\/strong>. At least two more Black coaches joined his lawsuit later.<\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6a15afa38f08de8142ebfebe\">\n<header>\n<h2>Federal court blocks new Republican-friendly voting map in Alabama<\/h2>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2022\/12\/09\/Sam_Levine_Next_Gen.png?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=b749a487d2c9f5ea6cea0ef137bce319\" alt=\"Sam Levine\"><\/p>\n<p><span>Sam Levine<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p>Alabama cannot use a new Republican-friendly map in this year\u2019s midterm elections because it was <strong>drawn to intentionally discriminate against Black voters,<\/strong> a panel of three federal judges ruled on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>The decision blocks Alabama from using a congressional map lawmakers passed in 2023 but never went into effect because the same court found it was drawn with intent to discriminate. Alabama was eventually ordered to adopt a map with two majority-Black districts that both elected Democrats After the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/us-supreme-court\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">US supreme court<\/a> gutted a major provision of the Voting Rights Act in April, <strong>Alabama took the extraordinary step of moving its imminent congressional primary and sought to use the 2023 congressional map this year.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The state is likely to appeal to the US supreme court.<\/p>\n<p><strong>But Tuesday\u2019s ruling is significant because the judges said the supreme court\u2019s landmark ruling on the Voting Rights Act did not permit Alabama to use the map.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe cannot see our way clear to requiring Alabamians to cast their votes in the 2026 elections under a districting plan tainted by intentional race-based discrimination,\u201d the court wrote in its opinion.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"4d903880-7185-40dd-8a07-05bdb397470e\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{\"richLinkIndex\":5,\"element\":{\"_type\":\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\",\"prefix\":\"Related: \",\"text\":\"Federal court blocks new Republican-friendly voting map in Alabama\",\"elementId\":\"4d903880-7185-40dd-8a07-05bdb397470e\",\"role\":\"inline\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/26\/alabama-new-congressional-map-struck-down\"},\"ajaxUrl\":\"https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk\",\"format\":{\"design\":11,\"display\":0,\"theme\":0}}\"><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<article id=\"block-6a15ab9f8f08de8142ebfe8c\">\n<header><\/header>\n<p>While the Senate race between Republican Senator John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Texas<\/a> attorney general is generating a lot of attention, especially after <strong>the President endorsed Paxton<\/strong>, there are several other important races in Texas today:<\/p>\n<p>One race is between Representative <strong>Al Green<\/strong>, 78, who has served 11 terms as a Democrat and <strong>Christian Menefee<\/strong>, 38, who has been serving his first term as a representative since earlier this year when he won a special election.<\/p>\n<p>The two sitting members of Congress are opposing each other because the recent Republican redistricting shuffled their districts.<\/p>\n<p>Previously Green represented Texas\u2019 ninth district and now he\u2019s racing for a nomination from the 18th. <strong>Green has long been among Trump\u2019s top critics, and was the first member of Congress to call for his impeachment, as early as 2017.<\/strong> He used to represent a majority African American district and has long <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/feb\/24\/al-green-sign-protest-state-of-union\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">fought for civil rights<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Menefee and Green have stood apart on their stance on crypto. While Green has opposed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/mar\/13\/midterms-crypto-pacs-political-spending\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">pro-crypto bills<\/a>, in a January questionnaire, Menefee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.standwithcrypto.org\/politicians\/person\/christian---menefee\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">told<\/a> Stand With Crypto:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<p><svg viewBox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\" \/><\/svg>\u201cWe should make sure the next generation of blockchain innovation is built in America.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Within a month, a crypto Pac had donated more than $1.5m to his campaign \u2013 a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/committee\/C00899831\/?tab=summary\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">boost<\/a> of roughly 60%.<\/p>\n<p><gu-island name=\"LiveBlogEpic\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{\"sectionId\":\"us-news\",\"shouldHideReaderRevenue\":false,\"tags\":[{\"id\":\"us-news\/texas\",\"type\":\"Keyword\",\"title\":\"Texas\"},{\"id\":\"us-news\/republicans\",\"type\":\"Keyword\",\"title\":\"Republicans\"},{\"id\":\"us-news\/series\/us-politics-live\",\"type\":\"Series\",\"title\":\"US politics live\"},{\"id\":\"us-news\/donaldtrump\",\"type\":\"Keyword\",\"title\":\"Donald Trump\"},{\"id\":\"us-news\/us-supreme-court\",\"type\":\"Keyword\",\"title\":\"US supreme court\"},{\"id\":\"us-news\/us-news\",\"type\":\"Keyword\",\"title\":\"US news\"},{\"id\":\"world\/world\",\"type\":\"Keyword\",\"title\":\"World news\"},{\"id\":\"us-news\/trump-administration\",\"type\":\"Keyword\",\"title\":\"Trump administration\"},{\"id\":\"us-news\/us-voting-rights\",\"type\":\"Keyword\",\"title\":\"US voting rights\"},{\"id\":\"type\/article\",\"type\":\"Type\",\"title\":\"Article\"},{\"id\":\"tone\/minutebyminute\",\"type\":\"Tone\",\"title\":\"Minute by minute\"},{\"id\":\"tone\/news\",\"type\":\"Tone\",\"title\":\"News\"},{\"id\":\"profile\/tom-ambrose\",\"type\":\"Contributor\",\"title\":\"Tom Ambrose\"},{\"id\":\"profile\/maham-javaid\",\"type\":\"Contributor\",\"title\":\"Maham Javaid\"},{\"id\":\"profile\/lucy-campbell\",\"type\":\"Contributor\",\"title\":\"Lucy Campbell\"},{\"id\":\"profile\/cecilia-nowell\",\"type\":\"Contributor\",\"title\":\"Cecilia Nowell\"},{\"id\":\"profile\/richardluscombe\",\"type\":\"Contributor\",\"title\":\"Richard Luscombe\"},{\"id\":\"profile\/michael-sainato\",\"type\":\"Contributor\",\"title\":\"Michael Sainato\",\"twitterHandle\":\"msainat1\"},{\"id\":\"profile\/george-chidi\",\"type\":\"Contributor\",\"title\":\"George Chidi\",\"bylineImageUrl\":\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/pictures\/2014\/9\/9\/1410298545138\/George-Chidi.jpg?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=c01643cb3d3919e9c3b292ea62ad9ab2\"},{\"id\":\"profile\/sam-levine\",\"type\":\"Contributor\",\"title\":\"Sam Levine\",\"bylineImageUrl\":\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2022\/12\/09\/Sam_Levine.jpg?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=25e62f18000fc746ffbf14a234227fd1\",\"bylineLargeImageUrl\":\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2022\/12\/09\/Sam_Levine_Next_Gen.png?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=b749a487d2c9f5ea6cea0ef137bce319\"},{\"id\":\"profile\/alexandra-villarreal\",\"type\":\"Contributor\",\"title\":\"Alexandra Villarreal\"},{\"id\":\"profile\/davidsmith\",\"type\":\"Contributor\",\"title\":\"David Smith\",\"twitterHandle\":\"smithinamerica\",\"bylineImageUrl\":\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2023\/05\/25\/David_Smith.jpg?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=96a67219643c746ee727051afdf7395a\",\"bylineLargeImageUrl\":\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2023\/05\/25\/David_Smith.png?width=300&#038;quality=85&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=max&#038;s=8e678f807c7b80aae11b03fbc186f49b\"},{\"id\":\"tracking\/commissioningdesk\/us-news\",\"type\":\"Tracking\",\"title\":\"US News\"}],\"isPaidContent\":false,\"contributionsServiceUrl\":\"https:\/\/contributions.guardianapis.com\",\"pageId\":\"us-news\/live\/2026\/may\/26\/donald-trump-medical-walter-reed-republicans-texas-runoff-iran-latest-news-updates\",\"keywordIds\":\"us-news\/texas,us-news\/republicans,us-news\/donaldtrump,us-news\/us-supreme-court,us-news\/us-news,world\/world,us-news\/trump-administration,us-news\/us-voting-rights\",\"renderingTarget\":\"Web\",\"isSensitive\":false}\"><\/gu-island><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here&#8217;s a recap of the day so far: Trump urges Texas Republicans to vote for Ken Paxton in runoff election. As Texas heads to the polls for the primaries, Trump reminded his supporters to vote for Attorney General Paxton, who is running against John Cornyn, the incumbent. Two Republican-led efforts to redraw congressional maps in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13201"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13201\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13202"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}