The U.S midterm elections aren't happening until November, but the political posturing is already well underway. Democrats hope a strong showing will help to limit the President's power. They've recently received a boost in Donald Trump's home state, Florida.

Miami

Miami, Florida, has elected Eileen Higgins as its first Democratic mayor in three decades, a development that has sparked optimism among Democrats in a state long dominated by Republicans. Florida, once considered a swing state, has trended increasingly conservative, especially following Governor Ron DeSantis's landslide victory in the 2022 midterms and the influx of older, conservative-leaning residents.

Democrats are focusing on grassroots efforts and voter registration to build on recent symbolic wins, while Republicans plan to nationalize the midterm elections by putting President Trump at the forefront of their campaign. With the midterms approaching, Miami's recent political changes could signal broader national trends.

Could Republican Florida help the Democrats during midterms?

This is Miami, Florida. It is colorful. It is cultural. It's competitive. And politically, is this place seeing the start of a big shift? Democrats hope so. Eileen Higgins is Miami's new mayor, a Democrat herself, which is significant because Miami has not elected a Democrat to run it for 30 years. Quick bit of background for you then. Florida is as red as it gets, dominated by the Republicans. Democrats have been trying to shake it up for years and turn it blue, or at least make it purple, a blend of the two. This was once the ultimate swing state. The 2000 presidential election hinged on Florida. Al Gore just lost out to George W. Bush after a Supreme Court battle. But it has moved steadily to the right ever since. Looser COVID restrictions drew in older, more conservative-leaning voters, joining an already huge and broadly conservative Latino base. It helped Governor Ron DeSantis with a record-breaking landslide in the 2022 midterms. But here's why Democrats are feeling a bit more hopeful right now. They've notched up a handful of wins elsewhere lately, small but symbolically important for a party still regrouping after losing the White House in 2024. How do you capitalize on that? How do you keep that going? We keep it going by being on the ground. That's what we need to do. We need to continue voter registration, especially here in Florida. We need to have voter registration. We need to up our numbers. We need to reach out to our Democrats, independents and Republicans, because there are Republicans that have buyer's remorse. And think about where we are right now at this particular moment in time. See, President Trump is only a year in, a quarter of the way through his second term. The midterm elections take place in November, and Republicans need to do well there to fulfill his election agenda. If Democrats want to slow him down, this is their chance. Meet Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff and architect of his 2024 win. She's got a plan that could blunt any Democrat momentum. See, midterms are normally local elections. Voters are choosing their local representatives. It is not about the president. I use that word normally, deliberately, because things are very different this year. We're going to turn that on its head. Good. And put him on the ballot. He's going to campaign like it's 2024 again. Is that the perfect strategy, just putting Trump over everything? Yes, just because historically, obviously, Republican turnout during midterms is much, much lower than during a presidential election year. So yes, putting him out there doing as much media as possible would help them. So is Miami a sign of what could be ahead nationally? Well, with the midterms fast approaching, the so-called magic city could have a surprise or two in store. Phil Lavelle, Al Jazeera, Miami.

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Minneapolis

‘Abolish ICE’: Thousands across U.S protest killing

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Tehran

Iran's army threatens to join crackdown against protesters

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Nuuk

Greenland rejects Trump's threats

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Trump says U.S will act on Greenland, 'whether they like it or not'

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Philadelphia

Protests spread across the U.S. over ICE shooting of woman

Internet and phone lines in Iran have been cut off as anti-government protests enter their second week. Reports say at least 65 people have been killed and more than 2,300 others detained. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of a possible U.S. response to the government crackdown.

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Cebu City

Philippines: Dozens still missing in landfill collapse

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Simon's Town

South Africa hosts Russia, Iran and China for military exercise

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Luigi Mangione was back in court on Friday, where his lawyers worked to block the Justice Department from seeking the death penalty in his federal trial for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione pleaded not guilty in April 2025.

New York

Luigi Mangione's lawyers fight to block death penalty

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Victoria

Thousands of firefighters deployed to fight bushfires in Australia

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Several arrested in Minneapolis during anti-ICE protest

Trump says U.S. will act on Greenland, 'whether they like it or not'

U.S. President Donald Trump began a meeting to discuss Venezuela with executives from some of the world's largest oil companies at the White House, saying he wants them to invest $100 billion in the country to vastly expand its production.

Washington

Venezuela Strikes

Trump urges U.S. oil giants to repair Venezuela's energy industry

The U.S. seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean, U.S. Southern Command confirmed on Friday (January 9). The seizure of the vessel comes as President Donald Trump prepares to meet with oil company executives at the White House.

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Trump: U.S. to hit Iran 'very hard' if violence continues at protests

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia fires hypersonic missile at Ukraine target near NATO border

A majority of European Union countries have agreed to sign a trade deal with the South American trading bloc, Mercosur. It'll be the EU's biggest free-trade pact and comes after decades of negotiations.

Brussels

EU approves Mercosur trade deal despite protests

The Trump administration is pulling the U.S. out of dozens of international organizations, including key UN agencies and the treaty underpinning global climate talks, marking a deepening retreat from multilateral cooperation.

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Cúcuta

Venezuela releases political prisoners

Residents in Portland, Oregon, protested Thursday after officials say two people were shot by Border Patrol agents. Gwen Baumgardner has more on how the shooting unfolded.

Portland

Two shot by border patrol agents in Portland

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Odesa

Russia strikes Ukraine with hypersonic missile

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NASA cutting current International Space Station mission short

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Trump administration mulls paying Greenlanders to join U.S.

Iran’s connectivity drops sharply nationwide – As authorities tighten controls amid growing protests over the economy. NetBlocks says the apparent blackout follows ‘a series of escalating digital censorship measures targeting protests’.

Iran experiencing nationwide internet blackout as protests intensify

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Caracas

Trump says U.S. could have direct oversight in Venezuela for years

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Texas

ISS crew returning due to medical issue for first time in NASA history

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Breakdown