Democrats have taken control of both chambers of the US Congress after major gains in the 2026 midterm elections, increasing pressure on President Donald Trump. The party won 5 Senate seats and gained more than 6 House districts. The result could affect India-US relations, particularly trade, immigration and defence cooperation. A Democratic majority may lead to greater scrutiny of Trump's tariff policies and proposed restrictions on H-1B visas, which affect Indian professionals. However, Trump retains executive powers over foreign policy and can veto legislation. The outcome could also increase congressional oversight of his administration's decisions. (PC: NDTV)

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has defeated Republican Mike Rogers to win Michigan's open US Senate seat, becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. The victory marks a significant moment in the 2026 US midterm elections as Democrats seek to regain control of Congress's upper chamber. El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director, secured 54.4% of the votes against Rogers' 43.9%, with around 18% counted in early results. His campaign focused on universal healthcare, economic issues and immigration. The contest also saw heated debates over Israel, his Muslim identity and allegations raised by political opponents. (PC: News18)

Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi's upcoming film Ramayana: Part One is projected to earn around ₹160 crore worldwide on its opening day, according to a box office estimate by trade portal Bollywood Hungama. The Nitesh Tiwari-directed film is expected to collect ₹100 crore in India, while overseas markets could contribute around ₹60 crore. If the prediction holds, it would surpass the opening collections of Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan and Pathaan, which earned around ₹120 crore worldwide each. However, it would remain below Dhurandhar 2, which reportedly opened at around ₹200 crore worldwide. The film releases on November 5, 2026.

Democrat Chris Pappas has won the US Senate election in New Hampshire, defeating Republican John E. Sununu and becoming the first openly gay man elected to the Senate. The Associated Press projected Pappas as the winner on November 3, allowing Democrats to retain the seat held by retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. The 46-year-old congressman has represented New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District since 2019. His campaign focused on rising living costs, healthcare and economic concerns. Pappas previously served in the state legislature and other public offices before entering Congress in 2018. He is set to take office in January 2027. (PC: X)

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon made headlines after casting his vote in the 2026 US midterm elections aboard the International Space Station (ISS), approximately 400 kilometres above Earth. Menon, alongside fellow astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, completed electronic ballots and securely transmitted them to election officials in Harris County, Texas. In a video shared on X, Menon demonstrated how his sleeping compartment doubled as a polling booth. NASA's encrypted communication system ensures voting confidentiality. The facility has enabled American astronauts to vote from space since 1997, when Texas introduced legislation permitting orbital voting. 

Indian-origin politicians are drawing attention in the 2026 US midterm elections, with several candidates contesting key positions. Democrat Suhas Subramanyam secured re-election from Virginia's 10th Congressional District, winning over 61% of the votes. Meanwhile, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is trailing Democratic rival Amy Acton in the Ohio governor's race by more than 300,000 votes. Other prominent candidates include Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Amish Shah and Pia Dandiya. Several races remain undecided, including contests in California, Washington and Arizona. The results highlight the growing political influence of Indian-Americans in US politics. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Republicans would have won the 2026 midterm elections by a landslide if he had personally contested them. His remarks came as Democrats made significant gains, including regaining control of the Senate and flipping several Republican-held seats. Trump used the argument to distance himself from the party's electoral setbacks, insisting that his presence on the ballot would have changed the outcome. The results reflect voter dissatisfaction over inflation, living costs and government policies. The Democratic gains could significantly restrict Trump's legislative agenda during the remaining two years of his presidency. 

The 2026 US midterm elections have delivered a significant setback to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Democrats have secured control of the Senate after gaining five seats, including victories in Texas, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina. They have also flipped several Republican-held House seats, putting them in a strong position to regain control of the lower chamber. Democrats achieved major gubernatorial victories in Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Texas. The results reflect voter dissatisfaction over inflation, rising living costs and Trump's policies. The House outcome remains under counting, while Trump's political influence faces renewed scrutiny. (PC: The Times of India)

Portal The Election Commission of India (ECI) has removed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) declaration from the online Form 6 voter registration process on its ECINET portal. The decision follows objections from Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, who questioned the legality of adding the declaration without formally amending the statutory form. Applicants in states where SIR is ongoing must now submit Form 6 and the separate SIR declaration independently. The ECI informed the Supreme Court that the separation was implemented on October 21, bringing the online process in line with physical applications. 

The Supreme Court on November 3 ordered a freeze on the November salary of Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and concerned officials for failing to remove encroachments from land reserved for a BEST bus station in Borivali. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant rejected the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s request for an additional 30 days and imposed a ₹5 lakh cost. The court issued a show-cause notice to Bhide over alleged contempt and questioned possible collusion between officials and encroachers. It criticised administrative delays, including the need to translate Marathi documents, and demanded immediate compliance with its earlier directions.