The Breakfast Table

Midterm elections are held halfway through a US president’s four-year term. On 3 November, Democrats won control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. By early Wednesday they led the House 228 to 139, with several races undecided. AP reported a 54-44 Senate majority, also with two races undecided.

More than 124 million ballots were cast, according to the University of Florida Election Lab. That passes the previous midterm record of nearly 119 million in 2018.

The result ends Republican control of both houses of Congress. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called it a “generational remake of the Senate map.” President Donald Trump said he has veto power, which lets him refuse to sign a bill, and that he would stay open to working with Congress.

Critical minerals are materials used in electric vehicles, renewable energy technology, defence equipment, aerospace, electronics and advanced manufacturing. On 5 November, India’s Ministry of Mines launched the ninth auction round in Goa.

It offers 20 blocks in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The blocks hold minerals such as rare earth elements, vanadium, gallium, titanium, graphite, potash and glauconite.

In the first eight rounds, 64 of 100 blocks were successfully auctioned. Rules notified on 16 October cut the minimum number of qualified bidders in some rounds from three to two.

There are also 11 exploration blocks, aimed at copper, vanadium, rare earth elements and potash. An exploration licence lets private companies explore 29 critical and deep-seated minerals before mining begins. These blocks go to the bidder who quotes the lowest percentage of future mining revenue.