operative

For three years, Sánchez had worked to revive the mine, encountering corrupt officials and cartel operatives.

Party officials, operatives and strategists say the common thread in the races in New York, New Jersey and Virginia was a disciplined focus on lowering costs, despite the candidates' ideological differences.

Still, the race was closely watched by political prognosticators and operatives, as the purple state is thought to give some insight into voter sentiment nationwide.

It added that "only a small share of all announced projects are expected to be operative by 2030."

This week's trial of three undercover operatives, accused of helping the Kremlin to wage a hybrid warfare campaign to "destabilise" France, sounds like a surefire recipe for drama, sophistication, and intrigue.