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US midterms: Polls show Democrats ahead in battle for Congress

Democrats lead Republicans in national polling ahead of Tuesday's United States midterm elections, with new surveys showing the party gaining ground in several closely contested Senate races as voters express dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's handling of the economy. With all 435 House of Representatives seats and 35 Senate seats on the ballot, the elections will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress for the remaining two years of Trump's second term. A RealClearPolling average of surveys conducted through October 30 shows Democrats leading Republicans 52% to 43.1% on the generic congressional ballot, an 8.9-percentage-point advantage. An NBC News survey conducted October 28-30 found Democrats ahead 52% to 45%, while an Emerson College poll conducted October 24-26 put the gap at 10 points. The generic ballot measures nationwide preferences for congressional candidates rather than support in individual districts, meaning a nati...
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Dar lands in Jeddah with Palestine high on agenda

After a historic visit to Bangladesh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Jeddah on Monday to take part in the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) council of foreign ministers. The foreign ministers and senior officials of member states are to assemble to consider the issue of Israel's assault on Gaza. The Foreign Office detailed the agenda - “to deliberate on coordinated responses to the escalating developments in Palestine, arising from the ongoing Israeli military aggression, proposed plans for full military control over Gaza, and the continuing egregious violations of Palestinian rights”. Dar arrived at the King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah and was received by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to OIC Ambassador Fawad Sher, Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq and Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah Khalid Majid. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, has arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the 21st Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held today at the OIC Secretariat in Jeddah. The… pic.twitter.com/fWlNeaNzyn — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 25, 2025 According to FO, Dar plans to reaffirm Pakistan's support for the Palestinian cause and call for the withdrawal of all Israeli troops in Gaza at the OIC meeting. Pakistan's stance remains unwavering, “reject the outrageous Israeli plan for extending full military control over Gaza and further emphasize the urgent need of unhindered humanitarian assistance; and call for the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestine people”.  🔊PR NO.2️⃣5️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ Curtain Raiser: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister @MIshaqDar50 to Attend the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 🔗⬇️https://t.co/ZNTXUTMiKO pic.twitter.com/bIgzoCncq1 — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025 Pakistan has consistently voiced its support for a ceasefire. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Security Council demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Ambassador Asim Iftikar Ahmad, the permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, addressed the General Assembly on June 17. He expressed his disappointment as a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire was vetoed in the UNSC.  Dar plans to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines with key OIC member states during his two-day stay in Jeddah on August 25 and 26. Gaza city in ruins The extraordinary meeting of the OIC comes at a critical time as Israeli troops continue their offensive in the eastern and northern outskirts of Gaza. The Israeli military gave a statement on Sunday, announcing their troops return to Jabalia with the intention of further expansion into additional zones.   The worsening situation of Gaza looms over the OIC meeting, as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification declares Gaza a Level 5 described as “catastrophic hunger”, stating that a quarter of all Palestinians in Gaza are starving. According to the Gazan health ministry, deaths caused by starvation and malnutrition are now 289, 115 of whom are children. Israel's plan to takeover Gaza city On August 8, the Israeli government released a five-point plan “for defeating Hamas” and “concluding the war”. This plan approved by the Israeli security cabinet proposes a plan to take control of Gaza city. “The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) will prepare to take control of Gaza city while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” the Israeli military said.  According to Israeli media, the plan will initially focus on taking full control of Gaza city, ousting its one million residents further south. IDF plans to take control of the refugee camps located in central Gaza and areas that are suspected to house the hostages.  Islamabad has reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the Palestinian cause and fully rejects Israel's plan to occupy Gaza.  The plan has faced widespread criticism from different world leaders. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was quoted as stating,“This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed”. Countries such as Australia, Finland and Turkey have all opposed the plan.  What is the OIC?  The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was established in 1969 consisting of 47 member states across four continents. It is the second largest global organisation, coming in second to only the United Nations. The OIC works to create a singular voice for the Islamic World. The OIC had drafted a resolution asking for the immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza earlier this month, which was vetoed by the UN Security Council.  The OIC recognises the ongoing genocide in Gaza and holds the Israeli state responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding there. According to the official statement, the OIC demands “the immediate comprehensive cessation of the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, and an end to the ongoing violations committed by the occupying forces against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem”.   

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