The latest news on immigration reform, the US deficit, offshore drilling safety, the global food crisis, Afghanistan, Israel, Iranian nuclear production, China and Sudan.

Campaign fundraising and spending. House and Senate candidates have already shattered fundraising records for a midterm election and are on their way to surpassing $2 billion in spending for the first time.

Haiti cholera epidemic. Tens of thousands of people in Haiti are still threatened by an outbreak of cholera despite some signs that the epidemic is stabilising.

Campaign politics. Two years after Republicans lost 21 seats in the House, the GOP is riding a wave of voter dissatisfaction — fueled by a down economy, unpopular Democratic policies and rising anger directed at Washington — that has put control of the chamber within the party's reach for the first time in four years.