Ten days before the U.S. midterm elections, polls show that Democrats are likely to win the House of Representatives and are competing closely with Republicans for control of the Senate. Control of Congress will affect the lawmaking process and how President Donald Trump’s actions are reviewed during his last two years in office.
Key Facts
Democrats have about a 95% chance to win the House and around a 76% chance to win the Senate, according to the Silver Bulletin forecast.
Other poll trackers like VoteHub, Decision Desk HQ, and RealClearPolling show a tighter race for the Senate.
Control of Congress affects which party leads committees and oversees the president’s work.
Key Senate races in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Maine, Michigan, South Carolina, and Texas are very close, with less than a 4-point difference in polls.
Democrat Mary Peltola leads in Alaska’s ranked-choice voting contest, competing against Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.
In Iowa, Democrat Josh Turek and Republican Ashley Hinson are running a close race.
Kansas and Ohio also have competitive Senate races with small leads for Democrats.
These election results will influence how much power each party has over the next two years of President Trump’s term.
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Alyce Collins shares her experience of leaving a high-paying corporate job at age 39 and the changes she faced afterward. Her perspective shifted after the sudden death of her father, which made her value time and happiness more than career achievements.
Key Facts
Alyce Collins had an 18-year career in media, advertising, technology, and business development.
She worked with some of the world’s biggest tech companies and earned promotions to senior roles.
Despite career success, she found the job increasingly focused on targets rather than what she enjoyed.
Her father passed away suddenly in May 2023, which deeply affected her view on life and work.
The loss made her realize time is precious and encouraged her to rethink her career and happiness.
Earlier in 2024, she joined a new company in a senior position but left soon because it was not a good fit.
Alyce had saved a financial cushion from her six-figure salary, initially for retirement plans.
She now questions the balance between preparing for the future and enjoying the present.
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Hundreds of teachers in Bolivia are on a nationwide strike. They want higher pay and more money for schools, and they are concerned that planned changes to education might lead to private companies running schools.
Key Facts
Teachers across Bolivia have joined a nationwide strike.
The main reasons for the strike are demands for higher wages.
Teachers also want increased funding for education.
They are worried that proposed education reforms could cause schools to be privatized.
Privatization means private companies or individuals would control schools instead of the government.
The strike is ongoing as talks between teachers and the government continue.
The government has proposed education reforms, but details were not given in the article.
The strike affects schools and students throughout the country.
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Dónal Lunny, a well-known Irish traditional musician, died at age 79 from cancer. He was famous for his work with several bands and for helping modernize Irish folk music, especially by introducing the bouzouki instrument.
Key Facts
Dónal Lunny died peacefully in St James’s hospital in Dublin.
He was 79 years old and had a short illness due to cancer.
Lunny played in important Irish music groups like Planxty, Moving Hearts, and the Bothy Band.
He was known for using the bouzouki, a Greek string instrument, in Irish music.
Lunny produced 17 albums through his own record label called Mulligan Records.
He was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 2025 RTÉ Radio 1 Irish folk awards.
Irish leaders, including President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, offered condolences and praised his influence on Irish music.
Sinn Féin’s leader Mary Lou McDonald said Lunny shaped Irish traditional music for many generations.
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A British-Hungarian Muslim woman and her husband have been restoring a farmhouse in southern Spain to create the House of Andalus, a project that connects people with the region’s Islamic history and nature. She finds living and practicing Islam in Spain easier and more welcoming than in Britain or Hungary, despite Spain also experiencing some political challenges.
Key Facts
The House of Andalus is located in the mountains near Alora, southern Spain.
The project includes a large olive grove with plans to plant up to 1,000 olive trees on 35 acres.
The region has a mild climate that supports growing oranges, figs, avocados, and mangoes.
Henrietta Szovati, a British-Hungarian Muslim, and her husband, Ajmal Masroor, have lived there for two years.
Henrietta feels a stronger sense of community and acceptance in Spain than she did in Britain or Hungary.
The area's name and history reflect its Islamic past, with some place names originating from Arabic words.
Southern Spain still faces challenges like wildfires and political shifts, including the rise of the far-right Vox party.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio encouraged Cubans to work secretly with the CIA to bring change to Cuba’s communist government. President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials have suggested military actions and increasing pressure on Cuba, which is already facing hardships due to a U.S.-imposed oil blockade.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio called on Cubans to partner discreetly with the CIA to help end Cuba’s communist rule.
President Donald Trump and senior U.S. officials have hinted at possible military intervention in Cuba.
Cuban officials mocked Rubio’s call, criticizing the CIA’s public recruitment efforts.
Cuba considers any U.S. military action an illegal and serious crime.
The CIA posted a video guiding people on how to safely contact U.S. intelligence, especially at U.S. embassies.
An ongoing U.S. oil blockade has caused fuel shortages and economic hardship in Cuba.
The United Nations has called the U.S. oil blockade a violation of international law.
The U.S. has maintained a trade embargo on Cuba for over 60 years.
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Thousands of people across France are protesting for better school funding, housing help, and lower living costs. Authorities have increased police presence and restricted where protests can happen to prevent damage, as many shops and tourist sites have closed to avoid looting after recent violence.
Key Facts
Protests are taking place across France for the fourth weekend, involving students, unions, and "yellow vest" groups.
Recent protests led to hundreds of shops being damaged or looted in cities like Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux.
Police and soldiers deployed have increased by 20%, with 70,000 personnel on the streets.
Many businesses, including opticians and supermarkets, are boarding up windows or closing to protect themselves.
Paris has closed metro stations and major museums and tourist sites due to protests.
There was a recent racist terrorist attack near Paris, increasing tensions in communities.
The far-right National Rally party is holding its national conference in Orléans, expected to draw counter-demonstrators.
Protests are also happening in other European countries including Italy, Spain, Austria, Portugal, Albania, and Ireland.
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A large fire broke out on Friday at a chemical plant in Leon, Mexico. Firefighters worked to control the fire while officials evacuated hundreds of nearby residents to keep them safe.
Key Facts
The fire happened at a chemical plant in Leon, Mexico.
It began on Friday.
The fire caused explosions at the plant.
Firefighters responded quickly to put out the flames.
Civil protection teams evacuated hundreds of people living close to the plant.
The evacuation aimed to protect residents from possible harm caused by the fire.
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The U.S. Department of Justice has sued to delay the certification of Alaska’s Senate election results if Senator Dan Sullivan loses narrowly to Democrat Mary Peltola. The lawsuit focuses on the presence of a second candidate also named Dan Sullivan on the ballot, which the DOJ says might confuse voters.
Key Facts
Alaska’s Senate election on November 3 includes incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola.
There is a second candidate named Daniel J Sullivan Jr, a retired teacher and former Forest Service worker, also on the ballot.
The Alaska Supreme Court allowed both candidates named Sullivan to remain on the ballot.
The ballot lists the incumbent as “Sullivan, Dan S (Registered Republican) Incumbent” and the other as “Sullivan, Daniel J Jr” with no party shown.
The Department of Justice argues that having two candidates with similar names could mislead voters and wants to delay certifying results if the incumbent loses by fewer votes than the second Sullivan receives.
Alaska election officials originally disqualified Daniel J Sullivan Jr, but courts overturned that decision.
Political experts disagree on how much the name confusion might affect voters and the election outcome.
The lawsuit cited the National Voter Registration Act as the legal basis for intervention.
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The US national intelligence director, Jay Clayton, warned that Iran has greatly increased efforts to target US personnel in the Middle East and other places. This warning comes as the US State Department adjusts staffing at embassies due to rising attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis against Saudi Arabia.
Key Facts
Iran is stepping up attempts to attack US citizens in the Middle East and other countries.
Jay Clayton sent a memo to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the threat.
The US ordered non-emergency embassy staff to leave Saudi Arabia because of repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks.
Houthis, who control parts of Yemen, have attacked Saudi airports since October, killing at least 21 people.
The Houthi attacks are a response to the Saudi blockade and air strikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.
Yemen has been in a civil war since 2014, involving Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition.
The conflict is linked to wider tensions involving the US, Iran, and Israel in the Middle East.
Oil prices have gone up partly due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route affected by this conflict.
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Major museums in Paris closed and police prepared with a large force to manage new protests across France. The protests began with students but grew larger, focusing on rising living costs, leading to past violence and damage to stores.
Key Facts
Up to 70,000 police officers will be deployed across France, supported by helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons.
Major Paris museums like the Louvre and Orsay are closed during the protests.
Paris shops, especially on the Champs-Elysees, have barricaded themselves to prevent looting.
Over 3,000 shops in France were damaged or looted during last week’s protests.
The protests started with high school students demanding better conditions and quickly spread nationwide over high living expenses.
Demonstrations are planned in Paris and Marseille, while authorities banned rallies in some cities like Lyon and Nice.
Some cities outside Paris, including Limoges, experienced serious damage, including an alleged arson attack on city hall.
About 50 organizations plan a protest against Marine Le Pen's far-right party during its congress ahead of next year’s presidential election.
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A fire started on Friday night at the Kehlsteinhaus, a building known as Hitler’s former Alpine retreat. Firefighters faced challenges because of the rough terrain, and the fire was still burning on Saturday morning. Authorities arrested a man in connection with the fire.
Key Facts
The fire began on Friday night at the Kehlsteinhaus.
The Kehlsteinhaus is historically known as Hitler’s former mountain retreat.
Rough and difficult terrain made it hard for firefighters to control the fire.
The blaze was still active on Saturday morning.
Police arrested a man linked to the fire.
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Thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank have lost access to food aid after the UN's World Food Programme reduced assistance due to funding cuts. Many displaced families now face hunger and poor living conditions following Israeli military actions and ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
In January 2025, an Israeli military operation displaced tens of thousands from refugee camps in the northern West Bank.
The UN's World Food Programme cut food aid recipients in the West Bank by 50% in September 2025 because of reduced international funding.
Food needs in the West Bank have more than doubled since 2023 due to conflict and increased attacks.
Approximately 900,000 people in the West Bank are currently struggling with food insecurity.
Many displaced families live in unfinished houses or crowded school buildings with no income or aid.
Medical needs are often unmet due to lack of money and support.
Homes destroyed by the Israeli army have been replaced by roads for military use.
Some family members have been detained or lost jobs amid the conflict, worsening their financial situation.
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Italy is preparing for protests on Saturday about budget cuts and high living costs in eight cities, including Rome and Milan. Authorities plan to use heavy security measures like drones and helicopters to monitor the demonstrations after last weekend's protests included some violence.
Key Facts
Protests will take place in eight Italian cities, including Rome and Milan.
The protests focus on concerns about budget cuts and high costs of housing and fuel.
Police will use drones, helicopters, and physical patrols to watch over the demonstrations.
The government wants to protect the right to protest but enforce the law strictly.
After last weekend’s protests, extra soldiers will patrol Milan’s city center.
Shops in Milan were encouraged to stay open despite risks of looting last weekend.
A group called the "October 17 Movement" organized the protests with secret meeting points.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government passed a security law making it easier to detain minors and fined parents for their children's protest-related damage.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong by crossing a newly opened bridge. This visit strengthens the connection between China and North Korea, following the official opening of a bridge that took 12 years to fully open.
Key Facts
Kim Jong Un traveled to Dandong, China, using the newly opened New Yalu River Bridge.
The bridge connects China and North Korea and was completed in 2014 but only opened recently due to missing roads and customs on the North Korean side.
This visit happened about a week after the bridge's official opening.
China is North Korea’s largest trading partner and provides important diplomatic and economic support.
Kim’s last trip to China was in September 2025 for the 80th Victory Day celebrations in Beijing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited North Korea in June, showing signs of improving relations.
The bridge has four lanes and is expected to deepen economic ties between the two countries.
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A Norfolk couple, Tim and Geli Harris, won three important legal cases against government regulators for failing to stop pollution harming Catfield Fen, an internationally protected wetland. The high court ruled that Natural England did not properly protect the fen from harmful nitrates and phosphates washing in from nearby farmland.
Key Facts
Tim and Geli Harris own a 460-acre farm next to Catfield Fen, a special wetland habitat in Norfolk, England.
The fen is home to around 2,500 species, including rare orchids, ferns, bittern birds, and swallowtail butterflies.
Natural England, a government conservation agency, was found to have failed its legal duty to protect the fen from pollution since at least 2021.
Pollution from farming activities caused damaging nitrates and phosphates to enter the wetland waters.
The Harrises have spent 15 years and £1.5 million of their own money fighting to hold regulators accountable.
The court’s decision criticized Natural England for being slow and inactive despite clear evidence of harm.
The couple converted their farm’s arable land to pasture to reduce pollution runoff and maintain the natural environment.
The Harrises maintain a working relationship with Natural England but have taken legal action to push for stronger protection.
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The 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) recently took place in Yerevan, Armenia, marking the first time the event was held in a former Soviet republic. Although Armenia was chosen to host the conference as a sign of its environmental ambitions, the country faces serious problems with pollution, waste management, and industrial mining that challenge its role as an environmental leader.
Key Facts
COP17 was held in Yerevan, Armenia, for the first time in a former Soviet republic.
Armenia ranks 75th out of 177 countries in Yale University’s 2026 Environmental Performance Index.
The country ranks very low in waste management (164th) and wastewater treatment (165th).
Mining, especially open-pit copper-molybdenum and gold mining, causes major environmental pollution in Armenia.
Mining operations have led to water contamination and reduced national park areas.
Forests cover only 11.1% of Armenia, and air pollution in Yerevan is five times above WHO limits.
Russian-linked companies have large stakes in Armenia’s mining industry and are major investors and taxpayers.
The Armenian government promoted the controversial Amulsar gold mine for economic benefit despite environmental concerns.
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A fire broke out on Friday night at Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest mountain retreat in Germany. Police have arrested one person and are investigating the cause of the fire. No one was hurt, but the building was fully on fire when firefighters arrived.
Key Facts
The fire happened around 9:15 p.m. local time at the Eagle’s Nest on Obersalzberg mountain in Bavaria, Germany.
The Eagle’s Nest is also called Kehlsteinhaus and was built in 1938 for Adolf Hitler.
Firefighters found the building completely on fire but there were no injuries since no one was inside.
Fire trucks had trouble reaching the site due to difficult local conditions.
Police have detained a suspect and are investigating the fire as a possible crime.
The Eagle’s Nest survived World War II bombings mostly intact.
Today, it is a tourist spot with a restaurant and beer garden.
The site of the Eagle’s Nest is considered a historical monument from the Nazi era, highlighting the regime’s history.
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Playwright James Graham talks about how culture in society seems to be stuck and not growing. He explains how this slow change in culture also affects politics, causing political ideas and actions to be stuck as well.
Key Facts
James Graham is a playwright known for works like "Dear England" and "Quiz."
He believes cultural stagnation means culture is not evolving or developing much.
This stagnation has political consequences, making politics feel stuck or unchanging.
Some say algorithms—computer programs that decide what content people see—are part of why culture is flat or repetitive.
Books like *Filterworld* by Kyle Chayka and *Blank Space* by W. David Marx offer different ideas on why culture is not growing.
Mark Fisher wrote about a "slow cancellation of the future," meaning people feel less hope or ideas for a new future.
The conversation is part of a podcast episode with James Graham.
James Graham’s new film *INK* will come out in UK cinemas in January 2027.
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The article explains that global politics today faces big challenges because no single country controls world events. New technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) make threats bigger and harder to manage, while countries form competing groups instead of working together. The article says that strong international rules and cooperation are the best ways to keep the world safe in this new situation.
Key Facts
The world is moving toward a "multipolar" order, meaning no one country dominates global power.
Artificial intelligence is creating new risks and making old problems harder to solve.
Powerful countries find it harder to control smaller states or manage conflicts, shown by examples like Iran and Ukraine.
New threats could come from cyberattacks, disease outbreaks, or dangerous technology spreading unnoticed.
Countries acting only in their own interest and focusing on military strength will not solve these problems.
Some leaders want to compete for AI dominance instead of cooperating internationally.
Global risks, even if small each year, add up to a high chance of major problems over time.
Strong international laws, organizations, and cooperation are needed to manage these threats.
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