Congressional elections will decide the direction of America’s governance irrespective of the presidential pick; we reveal our statistical model of the Senate races. Tesla steals the headlines in the electric-vehicle stakes, but a vast, global industry is nipping at its heels. And remembering the astrophysicist who explained the celestial light show of the aurorae. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.