A mix of bad polling news and diplomatic friction is piling up for Trump's camp, while his allies abroad get special treatment.

• A US-Cuba shouting match broke out at the UN, with the American ambassador clashing loudly with Cuban officials over the US economic embargo on Cuba.
• Former Brazilian president Bolsonaro reportedly fled to the US after losing Brazil's election and facing money laundering charges, and the US is now moving to issue a visa to his family even as Brazilian police say he left the country through improper channels.
• In Texas, a Senate race that's been safely Republican for 65 years is now close, with voters citing high gas prices and corruption as reasons they're switching sides; Republicans are leaning on fear of Iran and "pray for us" messaging instead of policy answers.
• A new weapons inspection report found no evidence Iran has rebuilt its bombed nuclear sites, undercutting the war-threat argument Republicans have been using to excuse high gas prices.
• Trump is also moving to loosen methane-leak rules for oil companies, a rollback favored by industry donors but criticized as bad for air and water quality.

Outlook: Watch the Texas Senate race and other close contests as early signals of whether gas prices and scandal fatigue are turning traditionally Republican voters toward Democrats.