Poll: Americans are anxious, pessimistic and deeply unhappy with Trump ahead of the midterms  —  The share of Americans who believe the country is on the wrong track is at the highest level of the president's second term, according to the NBC News Decision Desk Poll.

Trump team defends Russia energy moves but offers contradictory reasons  —  President Trump's top aides offered sharply different explanations this weekend of his Russian diesel deal amid a barrage of bipartisan criticism calling the move a gift to Russia.

Putin Floats a Summit With Trump and Xi to Decide Ukraine's Fate  —  The Russian leader is trying to capitalize on warming ties with the president to unlock a favorable resolution to the war with Kyiv  —  Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that he, President Trump …

Do You Really Own Your Home?  A Tax Revolt Says No. … Before making their way to stalls selling whirligigs, handmade soap, and peanut-butter Buckeye brownies, dozens of people stopped at folding tables where volunteers hawked petitions to abolish property taxes.  Few needed much convincing before adding their names.

Macron vows ‘full transparency’ in France after protests turn to widespread unrest  —  “Those who destroyed must pay; those who looted must reimburse,” the French president said.  —  PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron promised that “full transparency will be ensured” as he addressed the nation …

Shawn Oliver, Republican candidate for Massachusetts Lt. Gov., suspends campaign after arrest  —  Shawn Oliver, a New Bedford City Council member and Republican candidate for Massachusetts lieutenant governor, suspended his campaign after an alleged drunk driving crash late Saturday night led to his arrest.

Obama blasts Trump admin's Omar crackdown  —  Former President Barack Obama issued a forceful denunciation of the Trump administration's legal pursuit of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar over suspicions she fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship decades ago, an allegation the Minnesota lawmaker has called “disgusting lies.”

Trump Says DC Golf Course Project Moving Ahead Despite Suit  —  President Donald Trump formally announced the creation of a new pro-level golf course in Washington, DC, on Sunday, despite legal challenges, distress over downed trees and local ire over the loss of an affordable and family-accessible golf spot.

Migrant found dead at Laredo ICE facility  —  The death was confirmed by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, who said the 56-year-old Mexican national was found unresponsive in his cell.  He's the seventh person in Texas to die while detained by ICE this year.  —  TAKE OUR CONTENT — PLEASE!

Three Shootings in America  —  A week of our entirely-ordinary *extraordinary* violence … I want to highlight three incidents of gun violence this last week, each very ordinary — and each shocking in its own way.  —  First: A white nationalist attempted a mass shooting and to assassinate …

I Teach at a Business School.  It's Time to Shut Them Down.  —  This fall, another cohort of ambitious young professionals has arrived at business schools around the world for two-year programs with price tags in the six figures.  Their presence at some of the nicest and shiniest buildings …

Democrats' Tejano star sings to swing South Texas  —  With help from Eli Okun and Irie Sentner  —  Good Sunday afternoon.  This is Ali Bianco, writing in from an uncharacteristically chilly weekend in Texas' Rio Grande Valley.  Where's the best lunch spot in McAllen?  Get in touch.  —  DRIVING THE DAY

Zacharia posts altered photos of Trump's Oval Office desk  —  Advocates for East Potomac Park said they believe a blurred image on the president's desk is of a golf course at the center of a legal fight.  —  Loading...  Katie Zacharia, who was ousted as White House press secretary on Friday …

US threatens Europe over Starlink restrictions  —  Ambassador Andrew Puzder warns about ‘devastating’ retaliation if Brussels goes ahead with plans to limit spectrum access for non-EU companies  —  European companies face “devastating” retaliation from Washington if Brussels presses ahead …

The Race Is On for Trump Staffers to Hire Lawyers in Case Democrats Win Midterms  —  Cabinet officials, ordinary staffers preparing for possibility that Democrats could launch probes if party gains back Congress  —  Trump administration officials are lawyering up.

Allegations of potential noncitizen voting spark legal fights  —  With midterm elections just two weeks away, there are concerns that the federal government's efforts to investigate the voting process have bred distrust in the system.  —  Federal agents have seized ballots, and voting machines have been examined.