Photo: The European Parliament hemicycle in Strasbourg (file image)
PoliticsEurope's far right distances itself from Trump, blaming Iran war for Republican midterm defeat
Far-right leaders in France, Germany, Italy and Britain have begun to put distance between themselves and Donald Trump after the Democrats' midterm sweep, blaming the war with Iran and the cost of living for the Republican defeat.
Photo: The dome of the United States Capitol (file image)
USADemocrats sweep both houses of Congress in midterm landslide, handing Trump a major rebuke
Democrats have won control of both the US Senate and the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, flipping seats in Texas, Kansas, Maine and other Republican-leaning states.
Photo: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (file image)
IranIran’s chief negotiator says Americans voted “no to war” after Democrats rout Republicans in midterms
Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said American voters rejected the war with Iran in the midterm elections, warning Washington against betraying what he called the public will, after President Donald Trump acknowledged the conflict hurt his party.
Photo: A container ship at port (file image)
Business & FinanceTrump’s midterm rebuke gives trading partners room to resist his tariffs and slow-walk investment pledges
The Democratic sweep in the US midterms could embolden countries around the world to resist Donald Trump’s combative trade policies, analysts say, handing China an upper hand in talks and giving allies reason to slow down the investment pledges they made to stave off tariffs.
Photo: President Donald Trump (official portrait, file image)
USATrump acknowledges Iran war played a role in Republican midterm losses as Democrats take Congress
President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the war in Iran played a role in Republicans' sweeping midterm defeats, telling Fox News that voters backed his handling of the conflict but were unwilling to accept the short-term pain of higher gas prices.
Photo: The United States Capitol in Washington (file image)
USADemocrats seize control of Congress in sweeping midterm rebuke of Trump
Democrats have won control of both the Senate and the House, flipping seats in Texas, Iowa, South Carolina, Kansas, Ohio and North Carolina in a blue-wave election that ends unified Republican rule in Washington.
Photo: Roy Cooper at a campaign rally in April 2026 (file image)
USARoy Cooper flips North Carolina Senate seat, ending Democrats' 18-year wait in the state
Former governor Roy Cooper has defeated Trump-backed Republican Michael Whatley to win North Carolina's open US Senate seat, the first Democratic Senate victory in the state since 2008 and a key pickup in the battle for control of the chamber.
Photo: The United States Capitol building in Washington (file image)
USAUS midterms: early results project Ossoff and Warner Senate wins as counting continues across the country
Early projections from the 2026 US midterms have Jon Ossoff holding his Georgia Senate seat and Mark Warner winning in Virginia, with a string of early Democratic House holds — but control of Congress remains undecided as western polls close and counting continues.
Photo: Tehran, the Iranian capital (file image)
IranTehran unveils huge ‘We will kill Trump’ billboard as war rhetoric sharpens on US election day
Iran unveiled a massive billboard in Tehran on Tuesday pledging to kill US President Donald Trump, in the sharpest escalation yet of the capital’s official wartime street rhetoric, even as diplomats worked to avert a return to full-scale war.
Photo: Tehran on a clear day (file image)
IranIran and US still far from a deal to end the war, senior Iranian official tells Reuters, as Tehran ties Hormuz reopening to its conditions
Iran and the United States remain far from an agreement to end their war despite intensified mediation by Qatar, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday, warning that Tehran’s conditions must be met before the Strait of Hormuz can reopen and that nuclear talks can only begin afterwards.
Photo: Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, seen from above (file image)
IranTrump confirms US struck Iran's Qeshm Island, calling it a 'minor attack' on an anti-aircraft site
US President Donald Trump has publicly confirmed for the first time that American forces struck Iran's Qeshm Island, describing the raid on a newly built anti-aircraft facility as a minor attack even as diplomats work on proposals to end the war.
Photo: The White House lawn (file image)
USATrump says US will stop $4 billion annual funding to Israel after this year, under deal agreed with Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Washington and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed months ago that the $4 billion a year in US funding to Israel would stop at the end of 2026.
Photo: Ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz (file image)
IranTrump pauses Hormuz escort operation after one day as Rubio declares Iran war operation over — but warns bombing could resume
President Donald Trump has paused the US operation to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing great progress towards a final agreement with Iran, hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the offensive operation against Iran was concluded.
Photo: The White House in Washington, DC (file image)
USAWhite House lists 127 'promises kept' by Trump, claiming India trade deal secured even though only a framework was agreed
Released on the final day of midterm campaigning, the White House document credits Trump with new trade deals and peace in eight conflicts, but the India agreement it cites was only a February framework, not a signed deal.
Photo: File:US Capitol dome Jan 2006.jpg
USAAmericans vote in midterm elections on Tuesday as control of Congress, 36 governorships and the cost of living dominate the ballot
Voters across the United States head to the polls on Tuesday, 3 November, to decide all 435 House seats, a third of the Senate and 36 governorships in an election widely seen as a referendum on Donald Trump’s second term.
Photo: The California State Capitol in Sacramento
USAUS Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to set aside California ballots on eve of midterms
The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected the Trump administration's emergency request to force California to segregate mail ballots cast by more than 20,000 registered voters federal officials allege may not be citizens, leaving the state's existing ballot procedures in place on election day.
Photo: Qeshm Island, Iran, seen from above
IranUS struck Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday in secret limited strikes, Wall Street Journal reports
The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reports American forces struck Qeshm Island on Monday in the latest of a series of undisclosed limited strikes, even as President Donald Trump played down a return to war, sending oil prices higher in early Asian trade on Tuesday.
Photo: Harvard University seen from above
USAFederal judge dismisses Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking Harvard admissions records
US District Judge Myong Joun dismissed the Justice Department’s case on procedural grounds, ruling it had not shown it took the required steps to seek Harvard’s voluntary compliance before suing.
Photo: File:US Capitol dome Jan 2006.jpg
USATrump’s approval holds at 32% in final Reuters/Ipsos poll on eve of midterms, with Democrats leading generic ballot by eight points
The final Reuters/Ipsos poll before the 3 November midterm elections puts Donald Trump’s approval rating at 32%, near his record low, while Democrats lead Republicans 46% to 38% on the generic congressional ballot.
Photo: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, where Donald Trump gave his closing midterm speech
USATrump rules out striking Iran immediately after the midterms, saying a deal remains possible, as Vance reports progress in talks
Asked after his closing midterm speech at the Lincoln Memorial whether he was considering striking Iran after the elections, Donald Trump answered “No”, while Vice President JD Vance said Washington felt “pretty good” about the prospects of a negotiated settlement.
Photo: Official portrait of United States President Donald Trump
USATrump says he will become 'Mr Veto' if Democrats win the midterms, vowing to block their bills until they negotiate
In a podcast interview on the eve of the 3 November midterm elections, Donald Trump said he would veto Democratic legislation again and again if Republicans lose Congress, until Democrats come to the table and make a deal.
Photo: The United States Supreme Court building in Washington, DC
USATrump administration asks Supreme Court to set aside California mail ballots from 20,000 voters it alleges may be noncitizens, a day before the midterms
The Justice Department filed an emergency request on Monday asking the US Supreme Court to order California to segregate mail ballots cast by more than 20,000 registered voters federal officials allege may not be citizens, after two lower courts refused the same request.
Photo: The Strait of Hormuz, seen from above
IranIran says no Hormuz deal until US ends naval blockade, as Baghaei puts “ball in America’s court”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that no agreement can begin and the Strait of Hormuz cannot be reopened or secured unless the United States ends its naval blockade and meets Iran’s demands, while insisting Tehran’s seven-point plan could be implemented within two days if those conditions are met.
Photo: The skyline of Jerusalem
NewsIsrael on highest military alert on eve of US midterms amid fears of surprise Iranian attack, Walla reports
Israel remained on its highest state of military alert on Monday, a day before the United States midterm elections, amid fears that Iran could launch a surprise attack aimed at American interests or at influencing the vote, Israeli media reported.
Photo: The Manama skyline in Bahrain, seen from Qal’at al-Bahrain
NewsGulf states fear a fiercer Iranian retaliation if the US strikes Iran again after the midterms, Manama talks show
Gulf governments fear being drawn into a war they did not choose if the United States strikes Iran again after Tuesday’s midterm elections, with ministers at Bahrain’s Manama Dialogue warning that a second round could be more dangerous than the first.
Photo: The Doha skyline in Qatar
IranIranian negotiators depart Doha with draft deal proposal in circulation as Hormuz talks move to next stage
Iranian negotiators have left Doha after three days of Qatar-mediated talks, with a draft proposal for a deal with the United States now being circulated for feedback and a follow-up meeting possible, an official briefed on the talks said on Monday.
Photo: File:Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool 20240601.jpg
USATrump to give closing midterm pitch at Lincoln Memorial as Democrats hold final rallies on eve of election
With a record 54 million early votes already cast, Donald Trump will deliver his closing midterm message at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday while Democrats hold final get-out-the-vote rallies across the country, a day before voters decide control of Congress.
Photo: Kabul Airport in Afghanistan
USAUS plans to deport more than 150 Afghans via Pakistan, with first flights possible from Monday, court papers and reports say
The Trump administration plans to deport more than 150 Afghan immigrants back to Afghanistan through Pakistan, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press and reporting by The New York Times, a move advocacy groups say could put former United States allies and their relatives at risk.
Photo: A ballot drop box in Boston, United States
USAMore than 51 million Americans have already voted in the midterms, smashing the 2022 early-voting record
Early voting for Tuesday’s midterm elections has passed 51 million ballots, well above the 45.9 million early votes cast in 2022, according to data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab, with registered Democrats ahead of Republicans in the states that track party registration.
Photo: Official portrait of US Representative Haley Stevens
USATrump urges Haley Stevens to join Republicans as Schumer calls her Rogers endorsement a 'despicable betrayal'
President Donald Trump praised Haley Stevens's endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers as 'brave' and said he would love her to join his party, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the move a 'despicable betrayal' two days before the Michigan Senate vote.
Photo: Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House
NewsNetanyahu pressed Trump to strike Iran immediately after US midterms, while Trump wants talks to play out, reports say
Reports citing American and Israeli sources say Benjamin Netanyahu urged Donald Trump on Saturday to resume strikes on Iran straight after Tuesday's midterm elections, while Trump currently prefers to give Qatari-mediated negotiations more time.
Photo: The Miami skyline in Florida
USATrump says he would invite Zelenskyy to December G20 summit in Florida, after Washington invited Putin
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he would invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the G20 leaders’ summit in Florida in December, raising the prospect of both the Ukrainian and Russian leaders attending the same gathering.
Photo: The Tehran skyline
IranIran army warns any new war with US could last longer and have no geographical limits, after Trump names Pickaxe Mountain
Iran’s army spokesman said on Sunday that a future war with the United States could last longer than the previous conflict and would not be confined to West Asia, as Tehran answered President Donald Trump’s warning that the US could still strike remaining Iranian targets, including the suspected Pickaxe Mountain site, in ten minutes.
Photo: Donald Trump speaking at a campaign rally
USATrump heads to Iowa and Kansas for final rallies two days before the midterms
President Donald Trump returns to the campaign trail on Sunday with rallies in Iowa and Kansas, Republican-leaning farm states where his party is fighting to hold US Senate seats two days before midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.
Photo: Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang
USATrump vows “close” scrutiny of reported China spy plot targeting Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, calling him “brilliant” and “above board”
President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States will examine very closely allegations that Chinese intelligence targeted Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang through a businesswoman linked to a Singapore data-centre firm, while saying he would keep Huang as an adviser unless something contrary emerged.
Photo: Portrait of President Donald Trump
USAJudge dismisses Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein birthday letter
A federal judge in Miami has dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over its report on an alleged 2003 birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein, ruling that Trump failed to show actual malice.
Photo: The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, near the proposed arch site
USAWashington DC and Virginia sue to block Trump’s triumphal arch, calling it “flagrantly unlawful”
The District of Columbia and Virginia have filed a joint lawsuit to halt construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch, warning of irreparable harm to traffic, emergency services and the Potomac if building starts as early as next week.
Photo: Voting booths at a polling station in Washington DC
USARecord early voting passes 51 million in US midterms as Alaska probe intensifies and California ballot fight heads to Supreme Court
More than 51 million Americans have already voted in the midterm elections, a record for a midterm, as federal prosecutors step up an Alaska Senate investigation and the Trump administration signals it will take its California ballot fight to the Supreme Court.
Photo: President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago
IranTrump says US could strike remaining Iran nuclear sites 'in ten minutes' after Netanyahu call, as talks continue
Donald Trump said the United States could hit one or two remaining Iranian nuclear sites, including Pickaxe Mountain, within ten minutes, hours after a reported phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu about resuming strikes on Iran.
Photo: The Doha skyline in Qatar
IranIranian envoys hold Doha talks with Qatari mediators as Rubio says Trump has yet to decide on new Iran strikes
Iranian negotiators met Qatari mediators in Doha on Saturday while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump has not decided on new strikes against Iran and prefers a diplomatic solution, as Tehran ruled out a direct meeting for now and set out its conditions.
Photo: Federal Building and United States Courthouse
USAFederal judge blocks Justice Department and Homeland Security pressure campaign on election officials ahead of US midterms
Judge Trina Thompson's emergency order bars the two departments from demanding ballot segregation, voter purges or halted counting, and from threatening election officials with prosecution.
Photo: Official portrait of United States President Donald Trump
IranTrump plans to resume Iran strikes after midterms, with attacks possible as soon as 4 November, reports say
MS NOW, citing three senior Gulf Arab officials, reports the Trump administration has briefed Gulf allies to prepare for a short, intense round of strikes as early as 4 November, though the White House has not confirmed the plan and no final decision has been announced.
Photo: A ballot and ballot box in Sonoma, California
USAAppeals court again rejects Trump bid to block counting of California ballots
A federal appeals court has rejected the Trump administration's latest attempt to stop California counting mail ballots from more than 20,000 voters it alleges are likely noncitizens, its second defeat on the issue this week.
Photo: The United States Department of Justice building in Washington, DC
USAJustice Department warns election officials in all 50 states of prison time over ballot records days before midterms
The Justice Department has sent letters dated 29 October to election officials in all 50 states warning that willfully failing to preserve federal election records for 22 months is a crime punishable by up to a year in prison.
Photo: A ballot box
USAUS midterm early voting hits a record 47.9 million before Election Day
Nearly 48 million Americans had already voted by midday on Friday, passing the previous midterm early-voting record of 45.9 million set in 2022, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab.
Photo: Donald Trump at a campaign rally
USATrump restores Kansas and Iowa rallies for Sunday in last-minute midterm reversal
President Donald Trump will hold back-to-back rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Sunday, a day after cancelling them for telephone rallies, after Republican leaders asked him to reconsider.
Photo: President Donald Trump
USATrump's approval falls to 37% in final Emerson poll before the midterms
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 37% in Emerson College Polling's final national survey before the midterm elections, his lowest mark in the pollster's tracking, while Democrats lead Republicans by 10 points on the generic congressional ballot.
Photo: A pumpjack operating at an oil well
USATrump’s “biggest oil deal in history” faces hard questions as Venezuela output lags its promises
President Donald Trump hailed a 17-field Venezuelan oil deal as the biggest in history, but Reuters reporting finds only a fraction of the reserves can realistically be developed in the contract term, and the little-known firm behind it is racing to lift output from about 224,000 barrels a day.
Photo: The White House, Washington DC
USACNN, MS NOW and Politico ask court to make White House access order permanent in press pool fight
CNN, MS NOW and Politico have expanded their lawsuit against the Trump White House, asking a federal court to permanently bar the administration from excluding their reporters from the presidential press pool.
Photo: Saudi Arabia urges Trump to give Iran diplomacy more time before any new strikes
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia urges Trump to give Iran diplomacy more time before any new strikes
Senior Saudi officials have asked the Trump administration to give negotiations with Iran more time before any decision on renewed military action, regional sources say, fearing retaliation against Saudi oil and infrastructure.