Why do the US midterms matter for Trump and Congress?
Republicans and Democrats jockey for control of Congress, which will set course for Trump’s final two years in office.

Republicans and Democrats jockey for control of Congress, which will set course for Trump’s final two years in office.


![US President Donald Trump listens to Vice President JD Vance speak as they make a joint appearance in the Oval Office to announce a whistleblower program to encourage the public to report alleged fraud, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Oct. 20, 2026. [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]](https://aljazeeranews-mggx1uo47w.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/image-1792528338.jpg?resize=770%2C433&quality=80)







Students and activists protested across Indonesia over forest fires linked to land clearing for palm oil plantations.
Reliance is central to Washington’s efforts to punish Russian energy buyers and contain oil prices amid the war on Iran.

Australian MP Helen Haines lost a leg and remains in critical condition after a car attack outside her office.
Barrack highlights limits of US interventions, admitting past regime changes in the Middle East were often mistakes.
The prime ministers of Norway and Finland will also attend the discussions in Oslo.
Sitting presidents usually see a dip in approval ratings before midterms, but Trump’s ratings are at a historic low.

Most voters in the Canadian province of Alberta have rejected a proposal to hold a referendum on independence.
Earlier this month, South Korea recalled its ambassador from Kyiv after Zelenskyy disclosed the prisoner transfer.
The protests have further polarised the French and turned the youth into a key, angry, voting bloc.
The new cabinet has doubled down on continuity at a time of regional turmoil and domestic anxiety.