The American midterm elections have delivered a major political setback for President Donald Trump, with the Democrats winning control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Although Trump remains President, the political landscape in Washington has changed considerably.
The conflict in the Middle East is usually discussed in terms of oil, gas, shipping and military installations. But there is another vulnerability that could have even more immediate consequences for ordinary people - drinking water.
Saudi Arabia has spent billions of pounds trying to transform its economy and its international reputation. For decades, the kingdom was known primarily for its oil wealth.
Saudi Arabia has an important advantage over many other major oil-producing countries. It has an alternative route for exporting much of its oil without having to send tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
The American political landscape has changed dramatically following the midterm elections. The Democrats have won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, giving them control of Congress for the first time during Donald Trump's second presidency.
America's midterm election results could usher in a new period of political confrontation. Donald Trump remains President and Commander-in-Chief, but a Democratic-controlled Congress could make it considerably harder for him to pursue his domestic and foreign policies without challenge.
Donald Trump may have another two years in the White House, but attention is already turning towards the next American presidential election in November 2028. The midterm elections have changed the political landscape and raised questions about the future direction of both major parties.
The Democrats' strong performance in the 2026 midterm elections could open the door to investigations into some of the most controversial aspects of Donald Trump's presidency. From immigration enforcement and family business interests to government contracts, political appointments and the use of presidential power, the next two years could bring a level of scrutiny that the White House has so far largely avoided.
The American midterm elections have produced an uncomfortable question for the Republican Party and, indeed, for American democracy more widely. Can wealthy individuals effectively buy political influence by pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into election campaigns, or can ordinary voters still have the final say?.
Impeachment in the United States is not just a mechanism for dealing with an unpopular or controversial President. It can also be used against Cabinet secretaries, federal judges and other senior government officials.
Donald Trump's trade policy was built around a simple promise: make foreign countries pay more to sell goods in America, encourage companies to manufacture at home and protect American jobs. But more than a year into the trade dispute, the economic consequences are becoming increasingly complicated.
Donald Trump’s Republican Party has received a stunning rebuke in the US midterm elections. Republicans went into the evening hoping that the polls might be wrong and that they could at least cling on to control of the Senate.
The American midterm elections have produced another important development that has received relatively little attention outside the United States. While much of the international coverage has concentrated on Donald Trump's losses in Congress, the Democrats have also made substantial gains in elections for state governors.
Highland Council is stepping up its efforts to bring long-term empty properties back into residential use, but early results from its £1 million Empty Homes Challenge Fund suggest that turning the policy into actual homes may prove more difficult than anticipated. A report going before the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November provides an update on the strategy introduced in November 2025.
Highland Council is forecasting expenditure of almost £75 million on its housing capital programme during 2026/27, against an original budget of nearly £84 million, as rising building costs, project delays and the availability of additional government funding influence its investment plans. A Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital monitoring report, covering expenditure to 31 August 2026, is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.
The results of America's midterm elections have delivered a major setback for President Donald Trump. Democrats have taken control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, ending two years of Republican control of Congress.
When Americans went to the polls for the November 2026 midterm elections, they were not simply choosing members of Congress and state governors. Across the country, voters were also deciding who should become judges, prosecutors, sheriffs, mayors and school-board members.
The number of people presenting as homeless in the Highlands has reached its highest level in three years, highlighting the growing pressure on housing services despite some encouraging performance figures from Highland Council. A report covering the six months from April to September 2026 is being considered by the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.
Highland Council is making progress on a range of housing and property projects, but rising construction costs, shortages of contractors and uncertainty over future funding continue to threaten delivery. A progress report covering the second quarter of 2026/27 is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.
The American midterm elections have produced an interesting development that deserves attention beyond the immediate battle between Democrats and Republicans. Among the candidates attracting attention are medical professionals who have decided that treating patients is no longer enough.