Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, DC – The United States is holding its 2026 midterm elections today, Tuesday, November 3. The outcome will determine which party controls the two chambers of Congress—the House of Representatives and the Senate. The elections will also serve as a public assessment of President Donald Trump’s policies, decisions and performance during the first two years of his second term.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats are being contested. In addition, gubernatorial elections are taking place in 36 states, alongside races for state legislatures, local government positions and judicial offices.

The Republican Party currently holds majorities in both the House and the Senate, although its margins in each chamber are relatively narrow. The Democratic Party is seeking to gain control of at least one chamber of Congress.

Democrats need a net gain of at least three seats to secure a majority in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, they need a net gain of four seats. However, if the Senate is evenly divided, Vice President JD Vance could cast the tie-breaking vote.

The cost of living, inflation, fuel and food prices, immigration policy, healthcare and U.S. foreign policy have emerged as major issues for voters. In particular, rising prices of essential goods and concerns about household expenses have featured prominently in the election campaign.

President Trump and Republican leaders have campaigned to retain their party’s congressional majorities. Democrats, meanwhile, have sought voter support by emphasizing the need to reduce living costs, expand access to healthcare and strengthen government accountability.

A large number of Americans cast their ballots before Election Day. According to the University of Florida’s Election Lab, more than 57 million voters had cast early ballots by Monday. The figure compares with approximately 46 million early votes recorded during the 2022 midterm elections.

The election results could significantly influence the Trump administration’s legislative and policy agenda over the next two years. If Democrats win a majority in either the House or the Senate, congressional oversight of the administration’s decisions and policies could increase. If Republicans retain control of both chambers, the party would be in a stronger position to advance the president’s legislative priorities.

Midterm elections have historically been viewed as a major test for the party in power in the United States. They provide voters with an opportunity to express their views on the president’s performance and the administration’s record halfway through a presidential term.

The outcome of today’s elections will not only determine the balance of power in Congress but could also shape the political strategies and positions of both major parties as they prepare for the 2028 presidential election.

WASHINGTON DC: US First Lady Melania Trump is set to bring representatives of Russia and Ukraine together at the White House in an unprecedented diplomatic initiative involving the two countries, which remain at war. According to an announcement, Mrs. Trump independently initiated engagement between the two sides and helped secure a ceasefire in Oleshky and the surrounding Kherson region of Ukraine.

The initiative marks an unusual diplomatic role for a US first lady, as Melania Trump seeks to facilitate communication between representatives of the two warring nations. Mrs. Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks on the ceasefire in Oleshky at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the White House.

The planned engagement is expected to focus on the ceasefire arrangement and efforts involving representatives of Russia and Ukraine. The announcement describes the initiative as an extraordinary moment in American history, highlighting the First Lady’s personal involvement in facilitating dialogue between the two countries.

Shibb​​ir Ahmed, New York – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met with Venezuela’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco, urging the release of additional political leaders, activists and other prisoners detained during the rule of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Rubio made the appeal as part of ongoing political changes in Venezuela. The meeting, held last Monday, marked Blanco’s first visit to the United States since taking office as foreign minister. Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez appointed him to the position last week.

Rodríguez has been leading Venezuela under Washington’s oversight since US forces removed Maduro from power in January. According to a statement released by the US State Department, Rubio reiterated President Donald Trump’s three-phase plan for Venezuela during the meeting. The first phase focuses on establishing stability in the country, the second on economic recovery, and the third on political reconciliation and democratic transition.

Before the meeting, the two foreign ministers posed for photographs in front of journalists but did not make any public statements. The State Department statement said the two officials discussed progress in ongoing political reconciliation efforts among Venezuela’s leadership. They also discussed institutional reforms considered necessary to create conditions for free, fair and credible elections.

Rubio further called for continued efforts to secure the release of political prisoners who remain behind bars in Venezuela, according to the statement. Nicolás Maduro, who came to power in 2013, faced accusations of increasingly authoritarian governance. His administration was also accused of arresting opposition leaders and activists involved in various political movements.

Many detainees were charged with offences including conspiracy to overthrow the government. Critics of the administration described several of the allegations as baseless. Since Rodríguez assumed leadership, the United States has continued to press Venezuela to release political prisoners. A significant number of detainees have been freed following the passage of a major amnesty law. However, hundreds of people are still reportedly being held in prisons.

According to the latest figures from Foro Penal, a non-governmental organization that advocates for political prisoners, Venezuela had 344 political prisoners as of September 18. Following several rounds of discussions, the Venezuelan government and opposition political leaders have said that new elections will be held in the country. However, no specific timetable has yet been announced.

Meanwhile, Oliver Blanco also met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. According to a statement released by the US side, their discussions focused on the latest developments in Venezuela and the prospects for implementing the Trump administration’s three-phase plan, which includes establishing stability, promoting economic recovery and facilitating political transition.