A guide to the U.S. midterms for non-Americans

Published

3 years ago

November 9, 2022

The U.S. midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term in office

U.S. polling shows Republicans have momentum going into the midterm elections.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be up for election, while 35 of the 100-seat Senate will also be decided.

Democrats currently control both houses. However, Republicans need to gain a slim number of seats (5) to take back majority in the House.

In addition, there are also elections for state legislatures and ballot initiatives.

These are mini-referendums focussing on issues like abortion, gun control measures and the legalisation of marijuana for some recreational purposes.

Why is this important?

The U.S. midterms are a report card for the incumbent president.

President Joe Biden said the heart of American democracy is at stake this election.

“I’m not the only one who sees it. Recent polls have shown that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe our democracy at—is at risk, that our democracy is under threat.”

“They too see that democracy is on the ballot this year, and they’re deeply concerned about it,” he said.

If Republicans take one or both chambers, they will seek to block President Biden’s legislative agenda.

The issues range from reforms on healthcare, inflation and the cost of living.

But the divided nature of U.S. politics has seen a campaign like no other, as both parties seek to edge out the competition.

President Biden said the “MAGA Republicans, the extreme right, the Trumpies,” are a core reason behind the “anger, violence, hate and division”.

However, Former President Donald Trump is pushing for people to vote Republican.

Trump has also pointed to a potential run for president in 2024.

“And now, in order to make our country successful and safe and glorious, I will very, very, very probably do it again,” he said.

Russia bans WhatsApp and promotes state-backed messaging app

Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.

Published

13 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.

The Kremlin has officially blocked WhatsApp, urging Russians to switch to MAX, a state-backed messaging app. This move comes after Meta refused to comply with local regulations, sparking debates over digital freedom in the country.

Critics warn that MAX could be used for government surveillance, though authorities deny these claims. The ban highlights Russia’s growing control over foreign tech platforms and its push for locally regulated alternatives.

Activists in Moscow have staged protests calling for an open and unregulated internet, while the public reacts with a mix of concern and resignation.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

News

U.S. secretly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran after protests

US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.

Published

13 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.

U.S. officials report that the Trump administration covertly sent around 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following widespread protests. The move was designed to bypass strict internet blackouts imposed by authorities in Tehran.

The terminals reportedly enabled activists and dissidents to reconnect with the outside world during periods of severe digital restriction, raising fresh questions about foreign involvement and cyber strategy.

As geopolitical tensions simmer, the revelation underscores how connectivity has become a powerful tool in modern conflict.

#Iran #Starlink #DonaldTrump #MiddleEast #GlobalPolitics #TechNews #InternetFreedom #BreakingNews

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

News

Anthropic secures 30 billion in fresh funding as valuation surges

Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Published

13 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Anthropic has secured a staggering $30 billion in fresh funding, catapulting its valuation to $380 billion and cementing its place among the most valuable AI companies in the world. The raise marks the second-largest private technology funding round ever, trailing only OpenAI’s $40 billion deal.

Major backers in this latest round include Singapore’s GIC and Coatue Management, alongside existing heavyweight partners Microsoft and Nvidia. The scale of the investment underscores intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence as capital continues to flood into the sector.

Anthropic’s valuation has more than doubled in just five months, fuelled by rapid enterprise growth. The company now works with eight of the Fortune 10 and boasts more than 500 customers spending over $1 million annually, highlighting surging demand for advanced AI tools across corporate America.

#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Anthropic #TechNews #VentureCapital #BigTech #Innovation #Startups