The Republicans risk losing control of the House of Representatives. Over the past week, the number of contested constituencies has risen and, whilst candidates were making their final appeals to voters, the polls have shifted in favour of the Democrats. This has been reported by the Cook Political Report, an independent electoral observatory 

The President of the United States has exercised control over his Republican majority as if senators and representatives had not been elected by the voters, but by him 

From Twitch to the Democratic primaries, via the claim that 9/11 was ‘deserved’ and the defence of Mao, Piker is a goldmine for the Republicans, who are seeking to link him to progressive candidates. And at the same time, he is a problem for the Democratic establishment, as in the case of the Senate candidate in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed

America goes to the polls. Trump is no longer as popular as he used to be, but neither are the Democrats. The Democrats are divided, the polls suggest a turning point, and there are unresolved issues at the White House. It is impossible to predict how the president will react in the face of defeat

The resilience of the global economy appears fragile. Deficits, inflation and imbalances need to be addressed

The Netherlands is alleged to have been hacking the iPhone of Jared Kushner, the US President’s son-in-law, for years for the purpose of financial espionage.

For the first time, a Pope has taken part in a political election: Leo XIV has posted his ballot paper for the US mid-term elections. In the past, he has voted in both Democratic and Republican primaries. The Vatican asserts the right and duty to participate in democracy, but on social media the race is already on to assign him a political affiliation.