Updated September 14, 2026, 7:59 AM EDT By NBC News What to know todayOIL STRIKES: President Donald Trump called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and other infrastructure used to produce and distribute diesel, saying the attacks are causing a global shortage. He spoke after diesel prices in the U.S. hit a record, soaring past $6 a gallon on average.ELECTION PAYOUT: House Speaker Mike Johnson told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that Congress would “work through” Trump’s promise to give $5,000 to American adults if Republicans keep the House and Senate after the midterm elections, but he did not commit to ensuring the president’s proposal was executed.AI PLAN: Former President Barack Obama urged Democrats to prioritize developing a plan around artificial intelligence, saying that’s what he would be doing if he were running for president in 2028.MAIL-IN BALLOTS: A federal judge late last night ordered that the U.S. Postal Service not implement Trump’s executive order limiting mail balloting, adding another obstacle to the administration’s effort to rewrite election rules as the Supreme Court is poised to weigh in on the matter. 42m ago / 7:43 AM EDTObama says Democrats should have a ‘very clear plan’ on AI policyFormer President Barack Obama urged Democrats to prioritize developing a plan around artificial intelligence, saying that’s what he would be doing if he were running for president in 2028.In remarks at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser Thursday, Obama said that while he was neither an “accelerationist” nor a “doomer,” the AI bell is not one that could be unrung, and that Democrats ought to flesh out an agenda on the topic.Read the full story here.42m ago / 7:43 AM EDTSpeaker Johnson says Congress could work with Trump to deliver $5,000 payments to Americans but there are no guaranteesHouse Speaker Mike Johnson said yesterday that Congress would “work through” Trump’s promise to give $5,000 to American adults if Republicans keep the House and Senate after the midterm elections, but he did not commit to ensuring the president’s proposal was executed.“I commit that Congress will work through it and find consensus on that, like I have to do everything else,” Johnson said, when asked whether he would commit to carrying out Trump’s promise.Read the full story here.42m ago / 7:43 AM EDTTrump calls on Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian diesel fuel, citing a global shortagTrump yesterday called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and other infrastructure used to produce and distribute diesel, saying the attacks are causing a global shortage. He spoke after diesel prices in the U.S. hit a record on Friday, soaring past $6 a gallon on average.Ukraine has for months been targeting Russia’s oil and gas industry with long-range strikes, prompting fuel rationing across the country and causing Moscow to ban diesel exports in July, removing supplies from the already tight global market.Read the full story here. 0NBC NewsNBC News