First polls close as voters decide control of US Congress

13 Sept 12:31 Key points summarised by AI

Americans began casting votes in critical midterm elections, with the first polls closing in Indiana and Kentucky, to determine control of the US Congress.
The election acts as a referendum on President Donald Trump, testing whether Democrats can translate anti-Trump sentiment into victories, particularly in the House of Representatives.
Democrats are favored to win the 23 seats needed for a House majority, potentially enabling them to block Trump's agenda and launch investigations, while Senate control remains a tighter contest.
The volatile campaign focused on issues like immigration, trade, and race, with Trump emphasizing hardline warnings about illegal immigration in his final rallies.
High voter turnout is anticipated, potentially the highest for a midterm election in 50 years, despite isolated reports of voting machine problems.

Uthenthawai students and alumni declare truce with Pathumwan rivals

Yesterday 20:34 Key points summarised by AI

Uthenthawai students and alumni have pledged to cease violent clashes with Pathumwan Institute rivals, coinciding with their campus's reopening after a 90-day closure.
The Minister of Higher Education is mediating the long-running conflict, while the campus closure has significantly disrupted in-person classes and laboratory work for over 1,000 students.
Uthenthawai resists relocation from its current site, citing a historical land grant from King Rama VI, despite Chulalongkorn University's plans to reclaim the land for an educational hub.
Concerns are mounting over the legality of the campus closure, its detrimental impact on uninvolved students, and the potential commercial development of the land, which critics argue contradicts the late King Rama VI's intentions.