Donald Trump is being forced to try to defend territory that, until recently, would barely have required his attention.
With less than four weeks to go before the US midterm elections, the US President is embarking on a campaign blitz through some of the most reliably Republican parts of the country – from Alabama and Texas to Ohio and Nebraska – as Democrats make an unlikely push into states Trump comfortably won in 2024.
Democrats are leading or within striking distance in Senate and House of Representatives races across a series of states that have long been considered Republican strongholds.
Four things to do with your money before the Budget
With the Budget just around the corner, here’s what you need to consider about your finances before the Chancellor makes his speech.
What will be in the Budget?
Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget is weeks away, sparking speculation as to what Labour might do in terms of tax rises and spending cuts to balance the books.
But rather than trying to anticipate Healey’s announcements, experts say any financial moves beforehand – from maxing out allowances to investing – should make sense on their own merits.
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Where you could adjust your finances
Tax-free allowances
Allowance shifts are not expected, but make the most of the current £20k tax-free limit on ISAs and £60k for pensions.
A stocks and shares ISA might be worthy of consideration, as a long-term alternative to cash holdings.
Capital gains tax
The CGT exemption – currently up to £3k on asset profits – could be cut or reshaped. Make the most of it.
Review your financial plan
As the Chancellor puts his fiscal house in order, now is always a good time to check that your own finances are where you want them to be. Check whether your money could be moved into a higher-interest savings account or invested in stocks.
Financial advisor David Stirling said: “Ensuring life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection remain fit for purpose can be just as valuable as chasing the latest tax-saving opportunity.”
Polls have opened in the race to replace Sir Keir Starmer as MP for Holborn and St Pancras.
What you need to know
- The Holborn and St Pancras seat, a long-standing Labour stronghold, became vacant after Sir Keir Starmer announced he was leaving Parliament to focus on a role in international affairs.
- Some 15 candidates are standing, but the contest is widely seen as a two-horse race between Green Party leader Zack Polanski and his Labour opponent Sagal Abdi-Wali.
- The Green leader does not currently have a seat in the House of Commons and has insisted the by-election is “looking close”.
Who are the candidates?
Polanski has faced scrutiny after his party passed a controversial motion asserting that “Zionism is racism”.
Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali is standing for the Labour Party.
Galloway is standing for the Workers Party of Britain, and is currently living overseas in what he describes as “self-exile”.
Greens challenge Labour’s seat
Polanski seeks to wrest the seat from Labour’s hands for the first time in 43 years.
The Greens have enjoyed a surge in popularity under Polanski, but Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali is the bookies’ favourite to win.
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Why prostate cancer survival rates are improving
Prostate cancer cases in England have risen by 7 per cent in a year – but survival rates for men diagnosed with the advanced form of the disease have “steadily improved”, according to a study.
Risk from death falls
Researchers found that the risk of death from prostate cancer fell by almost a quarter (24 per cent) in just seven years between 2015 and 2022.
What you need to know
- The new National Prostate Cancer Audit found that 60,827 men were diagnosed with the disease in England in 2025 – up 7 per cent from 57,029 in 2024.
- Cases where the cancer had already spread to other parts of the body also rose from 5,696 in 2024 to 6,312 – an 11 per cent rise.
- But an audit of 45,000 advanced cases found the proportion of men who died within three years of diagnosis fell from 56 per cent in 2015 to 47 per cent in 2022.
Treatments and research improving survival rates
However, experts said further investment is needed. Natalia Norori, head of data at the charity, said: “Right now, far too many men get a diagnosis at a later stage when treatment options are more limited, and the fact that nearly half of men still die within three years remains a tragedy.”
Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked protests dies
An 87-year-old woman whose eviction from her Madrid home sparked protests over Spain’s housing crisis has died.
A ‘turning point’ in Spain
Images of Maricarmen Abascal being taken from her home of 70 years on a stretcher on 23 September led to nationwide protests as her case became emblematic of Spain’s lack of affordable housing.
Announcing her death, Madrid Tenants’ Union said Ms Abascal’s situation marked “a turning point in the history of this country”.
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What you need to know
- Ms Abascal was forced to leave her home after the company which owns her flat increased the rent to €2,650 (£2,280) – way above her monthly pension of €1,350.
- After her eviction, she was offered a lower rental rate but by then had been moved to hospital. Her death was announced on Wednesday.
- Protesters in central Madrid greeted news of the death with shock and anger. Banners read: “It’s not a death, it’s a killing.”
Housing crisis sparks election
Ms Abascal’s case has been a lightning rod for wider discontent in Spain at the country’s shortage of affordable housing amid rising eviction rates. Corruption scandals and immigration have also dogged prime minister Pedro Sánchez.
After Sánchez failed to pass emergency legislation aimed at alleviating some of the housing problems, he called an early election on Monday for 29 November. Opinion polls suggest Spanish conservatives will emerge as the largest party in the poll.
How to be more grateful for daily life in five easy steps
The world feels like a difficult place at the moment, and it can feel very hard sometimes to find things to be thankful for; when we are overwhelmed, we have less capacity to notice and reflect on the good things. Yet, ironically, proactively cultivating gratitude is one of the things that can actually help us feel less stressed.
NHS GP dR RADHA
The science
Research has shown that feeling or expressing thanks can actually alter our brain.
- The balance of neurotransmitters change; more serotonin and dopamine (feel good chemicals) are produced.
- This can be long lasting if we make gratitude a regular habit.
- We also get a decrease in our cortisol (stress hormone) levels which helps lower anxiety.
- Being grateful can strengthen the nerve pathways which triggers positive emotion.
How can we build gratitude?
Change your words
Instead of seeing something as a problem, try to see the opportunities within it.
Our brains are very receptive and what we read or write can alter our emotional system.
Express it
This will not only make you feel good, but you will also get a positive response from others.
How can we build gratitude?
Notice more
Throughout your day, try to notice all the things that are going well; has someone opened a door for you, or smiled?
The basics
By being thankful for the small things every day, we are far more likely to be and stay healthy so that we can enjoy them.
What to do
Gratitude can lead to feelings of optimism, lower our blood pressure, and improve sleep quality.
- Write down what potential good aspects there are to the things you don’t feel like doing, or even what could be worse about it.
- Spend a few minutes writing down three things that you are looking forward to that day, or the good things that have happened to you that day.
- Say thank you to yourself for the things you have achieved, or managed to get through and changed that day.
Sales of battery
electric vehicles hit a record high last year.
Starts at £22,995 for the smaller battery
Available with either a 40kWh battery or a larger 52kWh pack, that offers almost 255 miles, the latest, retro-inspired Renault 5 is both a joy to behold and a hoot to drive.
The interior has been lavished with a level of detail that’s typically reserved for more expensive cars.
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A champion of EV efficiency
It offers a remarkable 491 mile range on a single charge from the 85kWh battery.
It is a technological masterclass inside with the ability to option screens that span the entire width of the dashboard, including an optional display for the front passenger.
Priced from £37,400
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It’s a lot of money to part with, but this is arguably all the car you will ever need.
The £89,000 Macan is a premium SUV that somehow manages to blend Porsche’s reputation for dynamics and sporty driving with everyday practicality.
The 95kWh batteries can go from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 21 minutes from the fastest public charging outlets.
With the business class-style six seat configuration costing a staggering £76,995, it is by far the most expensive Kia ever made, but it backs up its financial demands with a suite of genuinely useful and impressive onboard technology.
It’s fast, goes a long way between stops and charges relatively quickly but the interior is bland, the onboard technology is infuriating and the experience is devoid of emotion.
All of its gadgetry can’t disguise the fact that performance is weak, even for a typically zippy EV, the ride is fussy at slower speeds and it’s not in the least bit enjoyable to drive on a country road.
- While good value (prices start at £17,935) for the 200-mile max range, there are more interesting options from Hyundai, Citroen and Renault for similar money.
- It attempts to wow with tech, much of which hinders, rather than helps.
- There’s no tangible benefit over mounting your phone to the dash.
- Simply an average driving experience, adequate range and slow charging speeds.
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The kitchen gadgets under £25
Victorinox paring knife
It’s comfortable to hold, with a point sharp enough for scoring pastry.
ProCook cast iron pan
For unbeatable searing and heat-retention, cast iron is the top choice.
Tesco chopping board
Priced at just £22, I’ve yet to find another board that matches it for sheer value and quality.
The kitchen gadgets under £25
Pyrex jug
It is the perfect vessel for blending smooth sauces, melting butter, or warming stock. It won’t stain like plastic and the red measurements never fade.
Salter scales
“I’ve had my slim little set of Salter Disc Scales for over a decade, and I’m delighted to see they are still made to exactly the same reliable design today.”
Microplane grater
It uses photo-etched stainless steel teeth that stay razor-sharp for a decade, something the lookalike copycats simply can’t match.
Braun hand-held blender
It’s an essential for everything from making velvety soup to getting the lumps out of white sauce.
Bodum cafetiere
As well as delivering great results, cafetieres are easy to clean and there’s no ongoing filter paper costs or pod recycling to deal with.
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The kitchen gadgets under £25
Oxo peeler
What truly sets it apart is the chunky, rubberised handle that absorbs pressure and stays completely non-slip, even if your hands are wet. It is inexpensive and incredibly durable.
Falcon pie dish
Made by fusing porcelain onto heavy-gauge steel for smooth durability, it is dishwasher, freezer, hob, air-fryer and oven-safe.
The golden rules for a happy, secure relationship
Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr Amir Levine, author of bestselling book , explains why we behave the way we do in love.
Golden rules for happy relationships
Start with your own behaviours
The foundation of a secure, connected life is being what I call CARRP: that means being consistent, available, responsive, reliable and predictable. All of these qualities can be enacted in small gestures every day.
Express your needs
People need consistency and connection to feel safe. This is not, ‘You hurt my feelings by never replying to me’, it’s more ‘this is the kind of contact that helps me feel secure’.
Golden rules for happy relationships
The appendix ‘inflammation’ rule
If a relationship repeatedly inflames your nervous system, you need to disengage and deprioritise it.
Lean on community
You don’t need hundreds of friends. You need people and places that regularly remind you that you belong.
Stop blaming childhood
Humans are much more complicated than: ‘this happened to you, therefore you are doomed to be anxious’.
Reach for a
secure script
When something unsettles you in a relationship, your first reaction is not always the most accurate one.
If you’re anxious, your brain may jump very quickly to: ‘this is the beginning of the end’. If you’re avoidant, your brain may say: ‘this person wants too much from me, I need to get away’. So one very practical thing you can always do is pause and ask: ‘What would a secure person do here?’
Loneliness elsewhere
When people talk about loneliness, they often assume it means you don’t have enough people in your life. But you can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely if those relationships leave you feeling excluded, ignored or disconnected.
What to do
- Build a community that works for your temperament and gives you regular, reliable moments of connection.
- You can still be kind to people while not treating them as someone who belongs in your inner circle.
- Explain what you need. Sometimes people simply don’t realise how you are experiencing them.
- Check in with people: does this person actually feel that I’m reliable? Do they experience me as predictable? That’s the only way that you can start to become more secure.
The latest polling suggests the Republican Party is facing a much broader threat than expected. RealClearPolitics figures published on Monday put Democrats ahead for Senate seats in Texas, Alaska, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Maine and New Hampshire.
Thirty five of 100 seats in the Senate are up for grabs. To take control of the chamber, Democrats need to gain four Republican-held seats while defending their own vulnerable seats – and they are now looking well beyond the traditional battlegrounds.
Laurel Rapp, director of the US and North America Programme at Chatham House, said the shift should be viewed in the broader context of the political cycle, rather than as a series of individual contests.
“All midterms are a distillation of public sentiment and a verdict on the President’s performance during the first two years of his presidency, and these midterms are no different,” she told The i Paper.
The margins are narrow enough that none of these races can be treated as a shoo-in for the Democrats, but collectively, they represent a dramatic expansion of the electoral map and a worrying sign for Trump and his allies.
Forecasting platform Race to the White House predicts that Democrats now have more than a 70 per cent chance of winning the Senate, with the Republican Party sinking below 30 per cent.
Decision Desk HQ gives the Democrats a 57 per cent chance of winning the Senate, compared with 43 per cent for Republicans. It rates Iowa, Ohio, and Texas as toss-ups, Alaska as leaning Democrat, and Kansas as leaning Republican. That is a striking turnaround from the beginning of the cycle, when Republicans appeared to have a favourable map and held a 53-47 Senate majority.
“We almost always see huge swings to the party not in power during the midterms,” said Rapp. “So we expect, or the history suggests, that the Democrats stand to gain at least one of the chambers of Congress, and that’s very much on track to happen, likely in the House, and the Senate is also increasingly in play.”
Reuters reported last week that Democrats were competitive in ten states Trump won by double digits in 2024. Trump won Texas by roughly 14 points in 2024, Iowa by 13, Kansas by 16 and Ohio by 11, but he is now personally campaigning in some of them, pointing to a growing realisation of the problems for his party.
After stops in Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama last week, the President travelled to Ohio on Saturday and headed to Nebraska on Monday.
Nebraska would ordinarily be considered one of the safest Republican states in the country, but the Senate race between Republican Senator Pete Ricketts and independent Dan Osborn has become unexpectedly competitive. The latest public poll puts Ricketts on 45 per cent and Osborn on 40 per cent among likely voters, with 15 per cent undecided. This prompted Trump to campaign in Grand Island on Monday.
However, Trump’s interventions might not be welcomed by everyone. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in September put the President’s approval rating at just 32 per cent – the lowest of his political career.
A CBS/YouGov poll released on Sunday was somewhat more favourable, but still showed Trump underwater, with 39 per cent approving of his performance and 61 per cent disapproving. The same poll gave Democrats a nine-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot.
“These polls are a dire sign for the Republican Party,” said David Andersen, an associate professor in US politics at Durham University.
“These are areas that have supported Republicans and Republican candidates for decades now. Places like Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Alaska. What they all have in common is they have heavy agricultural bases, and farmers across America have supported Trump since his candidacy in 2016 … it seems like right now they feel absolutely abandoned and betrayed.”
Andersen said that Republican candidates are now torn, because if they stand toe-to-toe with the President and support him, they will face a backlash from the majority of voters. But if they oppose him, “then their own core supporters start backlashing against them”.
He predicted that many traditional Republican voters will simply not vote at all. “They just won’t show up at the ballot.”
Rapp said Trump’s standing is central to understanding why Democrats are making inroads in states that would normally be safely Republican.
Trump is “quite unpopular among large swathes of the American public. He retains strong support among his base, but a lot of his campaign focus these past months has been directed to really address his base and not those independent voters, or some of the more centrist or conservative Democratic voters,” she said.
Trump’s recent campaign strategy has centred on persuading voters that his administration is delivering an economic “golden age”. But the economic backdrop is particularly damaging for Republicans right now, with inflation and the cost of living dominant voter concerns in the face of Trump’s war with Iran.
In Alabama last week, Trump urged Republican voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot”.
Trump remains an extraordinary force for his base, but in states where independent and swing voters are increasingly hostile to the President, putting him at the centre of a campaign risks turning a local contest into a referendum on his presidency.
A Democratic victory in either chamber would give Democrats a greater ability to act as a check on the Trump White House, while winning both would leave the President in a deeply challenging position.
Momentum is particularly evident in the House, where Democrats are increasingly competitive across districts that had previously looked secure for Republicans.
“We’ve seen these trend lines for the past six months that the Democrats are polling increasingly well and making inroads in states that previously had not been considered competitive,” Rapp noted. “The map is looking increasingly certain to favour Democrats in the House, and I think that it’s the Democrats’ election to lose.”
In the Senate, however, the electoral map still favours Republicans in several states. Still, it is clear why Republican campaign money and Trump’s attention is being diverted towards areas that were once regarded as safe. Republicans have been outspending Democrats in several of the newly competitive states, according to AdImpact data.
“Cash is king,” Tim Scott, who chairs the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, said last week. “It’s a powerful tool that is providing us with the firepower necessary to really share our message, and our message is incredibly important for us to win these races.”
Four weeks is a long time in US politics, particularly with Trump’s ability to dominate news cycles. Rapp cautioned that the current picture could still change dramatically before Americans cast their ballots.
“The American political system always warns of the October surprise, especially as it relates to the presidential agenda and presidential elections, but it also holds for the midterm.”
But the sheer number of Republican strongholds now being contested is difficult to ignore. Democrats will be feeling empowered, and Trump’s allies will be wondering what comes next.