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Supporters celebrate during a watch party for Democratic US Senate candidate Troy Jackson during the US midterm elections in Portland, Maine, US, November 4, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Democrats take control of US Congress as voters resoundingly reject Trump's Republicans

President Trump acknowledges the Iran war, and higher fuel prices, were factors as Democrats win across the country - including in Texas, Kansas, and Michigan.

Supporters cheer while watching early results during a watch party for Democratic US Senate candidate Troy Jackson in Portland, Maine, on 3 November 2026

Anthony Zurcher: Democrats tear up Trump's political map on historic night

Two Senate races that a year ago were thought to be battlegrounds turned out to be slam-dunks for the Democrats.

Supporters react to the Democrat victory in Atlanta, Georgia

Key moments from a night of midterm election firsts

Democrats have taken control of Congress for the rest of Donald Trump's presidency - proving moments of celebration.

James Talarico becomes first Democrat to win Texas Senate seat since 1988

"This wasn't just a tsunami, not just a referendum, but this was a bloodbath," one expert told the BBC on Democrats' historic wins in Texas.

Supporters of Democrat senatorial candidate James Talarico react to early election results during a midterm election night watch party at Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas on November 3, 2026.

Celebrations and selfies: US midterms in pictures

Hugs, cheers and smiles broke out as the Democrats picked up a string of victories in Republican strongholds.

Composite image with James Talarico on the left and Keisha Lance Bottoms on the right

Watch: Key moments from the US midterm election results

Democrats have won control of the Senate and House of Representatives, taking control of Congress for the rest of Donald Trump's presidency.

Spanish transport minister resigns days after deadly train crash

At least 69 people were killed and dozens injured in the collision south of the capital, Madrid.

10 hrs ago

Europe

A close-up photo of five women. Two are wearing yellow ANC headscarves and white ANC T-shirts while looking at the camera. Another is wearing a yellow ANC T-shirt and turquoise headscarf while looking across the frame.

ANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline

As South Africans vote in local elections, residents tell the BBC they are tired of the poor quality of services they get.

9 hrs ago

Africa

Football world mourns Tenerife striker De Miguel

Tributes were paid across Tuesday's Champions League fixtures to Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died following collision on the pitch.

9 hrs ago

Football

Code cracked for shipwreck padlock solving 400-year-old mystery

The brass lock, found in the sand near Port Talbot, forms part of a 1583 shipwreck treasure hoard.

3 hrs ago

Wales

A young man wearing a cap and glasses is held by police officers

Killer who escaped Tennessee prison captured after week-long manhunt

Jacob Allen Morley was serving a life sentence for murder before he escaped over a prison fence.

7 hrs ago

US & Canada

The unidentified shell-shaped object lying in the sand

Weapon or wine bottle? China disputes reports of artillery shell in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea police had earlier dismissed speculation that the 32kg object was "merely a dummy".

5 hrs ago

Asia

A view of Delhi NH 24 shrouded in heavy smog on a cold morning amid rising air pollution levels on November 3, 2026

Delhi air quality worsens ahead of Diwali as firework restrictions enter force

On Wednesday morning, Delhi's air quality index reading stood at 377, in the "very poor" category.

1 hr ago

India

More to explore

Picture of Kim Kardashian in a leopard outfit with a matching corset and shawl

Why Kim Kardashian came back to 'the worst TV drama ever'

The media personality and businesswoman says she's worked on her acting for series two of All's Fair.

8 hrs ago

Culture

A woman with brown curly hair is holding up a missing cat poster. She is wearing a red and white striped jumper and is sitting in her living room

Scammers using AI-generated images of missing pets to demand reward money

Owners say threats to kill their cats unless they sent money left them angry and terrified.

8 hrs ago

Birmingham & Black Country

How 'mogging' went from toxic term to mainstream

Mogging, named Collins English Dictionary's word of the year, was once the preserve of the manosphere but has become part of everyday discourse.

15 hrs ago

Culture

A half-time speech, a retaken penalty - and a win to save Carrick's job at Man Utd?

At 2-0 down Michael Carrick's position as Manchester United head coach looked terminal - but will the win over Roma prove a turning point?

8 hrs ago

Man Utd

Code cracked for shipwreck padlock solving 400-year-old mystery

The brass lock, found in the sand near Port Talbot, forms part of a 1583 shipwreck treasure hoard.

3 hrs ago

Wales

Most watched

Also in news

Large crowd of people running on New York City street in the marathon, with city skyline in background

Young NYC Marathon runner collapses and dies two miles from finish line

The city medical examiner's office said it is still investigating Rachel Apa's cause of death.

11 hrs ago

US & Canada

A Ryanair plane inspected in Murcia, southern Spain. Screeenshot: 3 November 2026

Seven flights across Europe targeted by suspected bomb threats

Planes in Poland, Spain, Bulgaria and Italy have been checked for explosives following separate threats.

12 hrs ago

Europe

Binance says fake job interviews used as part of $6.3bn crypto hack

An engineer was contacted through a legitimate job-hunting platform and invited to bogus job interviews with fake company representatives, Binance says.

16 hrs ago

Technology

Prince William looking sombre. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a white shirt and a black tie. He is glancing off to his right

Prince William says UK faces terrifying risk of more wildfires due to climate change

The prince says 2026 was the first summer he felt "worried about the scale of the wildfires".

3 hrs ago

Wales

A stock photo of a woman with dark skin and black hair being given a blood test in what looks like a GP surgery. She is wearing a blue dress and having her blood taken by a female doctor or nurse wearing green gloves.

'Multi-cancer' blood tests coming to 200 English GP surgeries soon

The aim is to detect hard-to-diagnose abdominal cancers, including liver, ovarian and pancreatic cancer, much sooner.

9 hrs ago

Health

Sport

A half-time speech, a retaken penalty - and a win to save Carrick's job?

At 2-0 down Michael Carrick's position as Manchester United head coach looked terminal - but will the win over Roma prove a turning point?

8 hrs ago

Man Utd

Jodie Burrage holds a tennis ball in her left with a serious expression on her face

Death threats for Briton Burrage on WTA Tour return

Britain's Jodie Burrage receives death threats and abuse on social media after she is beaten in her first WTA Tour singles match proper for 16 months.

12 hrs ago

Tennis

PSG score four in first 17 minutes and thrash Villarreal

Paris St-Germain score four times within the first 17 minutes as they put six past Villarreal in the Champions League.

Retiring Serrano wants to end as a 'game-changer'

Amanda Serrano said she wants to be remembered as a "game-changer" as she prepares for her farewell fight on home soil next year.

2 hrs ago

Boxing

Matheus Cunha taking off his shirt in celebration after scoring Man Utd's winner

LIVE

What now for Carrick and Man Utd after dramatic Roma win?

Reaction after Manchester United come from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League to ease pressure on manager Michael Carrick.

Ocon dropped by Haas for rest of season after row

F1 team Haas says Estaban Ocon will "no longer compete on its behalf in the 2026 world championship" after he was dropped for the Mexico Grand Prix.

12 hrs ago

Formula 1

Why rugby league needs Tonga-Samoa World Cup final

Tonga will face New Zealand after winning all three group matches, before Samoa face Australia in a repeat of the 2022 final.

2 hrs ago

Rugby League

News

Live. updates

Full results

Democrats take control of US Congress as voters resoundingly reject Trump's Republicans

Anthony Zurcher: Democrats tear up Trump's political map on historic night

Key moments from a night of midterm election firsts

James Talarico becomes first Democrat to win Texas Senate seat since 1988

Celebrations and selfies: US midterms in pictures

Watch: Key moments from the US midterm election results

Three surprising wins for Democrats

Trump: 'Democrats did a good job'

How voters feel about the results

'You can hear the crowd' as El-Sayed wins Michigan

'They'll be partying for a long time' - BBC in Texas

El-Sayed thanks supporters for backing 'unlikeliest of candidates'

James Talarico celebrates stunning Senate victory in Texas

'Huge upset' for Republicans in Maine

BBC reports from Iowa as Democrat flips Senate seat

Sombre mood for Republicans in Ohio

Troy Jackson 'proud' after senate win in Maine

'Georgia, this win is for all of us' - Keisha Lance Bottoms

Chris Pappas celebrates New Hampshire win with husband

Vivek Ramaswamy concedes after bitter Ohio battle

Texas governor-elect Gina Hinojosa celebrates historic win

Darline Graham speaks after losing late brother's Senate seat

'We just made history' - South Carolina Democrat Senator-elect

Collins: 'Results may not be what we wanted' in Georgia

Moment the first projected result comes in

More top stories

Spanish transport minister resigns days after deadly train crash

ANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline

Football world mourns Tenerife striker De Miguel

Code cracked for shipwreck padlock solving 400-year-old mystery

Killer who escaped Tennessee prison captured after week-long manhunt

Weapon or wine bottle? China disputes reports of artillery shell in Papua New Guinea

Delhi air quality worsens ahead of Diwali as firework restrictions enter force

More to explore

Why Kim Kardashian came back to 'the worst TV drama ever'

Scammers using AI-generated images of missing pets to demand reward money

How 'mogging' went from toxic term to mainstream

A half-time speech, a retaken penalty - and a win to save Carrick's job at Man Utd?

Code cracked for shipwreck padlock solving 400-year-old mystery

Most watched

Watch: Key moments from the US midterm election results

What the Democratic takeover of the Senate means for Trump

Sarah Smith on Democrats flipping the House of Representatives

'I am ready to fight' - Senator-elect Chris Pappas celebrates New Hampshire win

Final moments before deadly Florida plane crash

Also in news

Young NYC Marathon runner collapses and dies two miles from finish line

Seven flights across Europe targeted by suspected bomb threats

Binance says fake job interviews used as part of $6.3bn crypto hack

Prince William says UK faces terrifying risk of more wildfires due to climate change

'Multi-cancer' blood tests coming to 200 English GP surgeries soon

Most read

US midterm elections results 2026

Key moments from a night of midterm election firsts

How America voted in maps and charts

No more rice grains in Kellogg's Rice Krispies due to changing weather

What are the US midterms? A simple guide

Republican Susan Collins loses seat to Democrat, ending nearly 30 years in the Senate

Amy Acton wins Ohio governor race after bitter race with billionaire Ramaswamy

Anthony Zurcher: Democrats tear up Trump's political map on historic night

James Talarico becomes first Democrat to win Texas Senate seat since 1988

Florida Republicans fend off Democrats as state elects first black governor

Sport

A half-time speech, a retaken penalty - and a win to save Carrick's job?

Death threats for Briton Burrage on WTA Tour return

PSG score four in first 17 minutes and thrash Villarreal

Retiring Serrano wants to end as a 'game-changer'

What now for Carrick and Man Utd after dramatic Roma win?

Ocon dropped by Haas for rest of season after row

Why rugby league needs Tonga-Samoa World Cup final