Iranians celebrated the US midterm results as a victory for Iran, after US President Donald Trump acknowledged the Republicans’ crushing defeat was partly due to the war. Now, attention turns to whether a Democratic majority in Congress can challenge Trump’s military decisions.
Published On 4 Nov 20264 Nov 2026
Share
Democratic voters danced as they celebrated Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan. Al Jazeera’s Mikail Malik spoke to supporters in Detroit hailing the election of the first Muslim to the US Senate.
Published On 4 Nov 20264 Nov 2026
Share
By Reuters and The Associated Press
Published On 4 Nov 20264 Nov 2026
Democrats have seized control of the United States Congress, winning the Senate and the House of Representatives in a nationwide rebuke of President Donald Trump that is expected to slow the final two years of his term.
In a series of historic firsts, the first Black female governor, the first openly gay male senator, the first Muslim senator, and the first female Native American governor have all won office, securing landmark victories in a vote that delivered resounding gains for the Democratic Party.
The sweeping Democratic gains in Tuesday’s election hand the opposition significant power to block legislation, open wide-ranging investigations into Trump’s administration, and challenge his judicial and senior government appointments.
The results reflect deep public anger over rising living costs, tariffs, and Trump’s confrontation with Iran, which has driven up fuel prices and amplified frustration with an already deeply unpopular president.
STACEY Solomon has stripped naked in a hot tub as Pretty Woman and Liz Hurley has showed off her insane figure as Poison Ivy this weekend.
When it comes to Halloween, showbiz stars don’t settle for a pointy hat and a splash of green make-up to celebrate the spooky season.
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash kept their celebrations at home as they recreated a scene from the film Pretty Woman.
Taking to social media, Stacey captioned the images: “Happy Halloween. Love from The Temu Version of Pretty Woman.
“I’ll be honest as soon as I saw this bathroom I wanted to recreate this scene. The kids wanted to be skeletons & witches this year so it was our perfect opportunity for a couples costume,
“Sorry about the copy and paste fake bubbles I had to add in but fun fact, this bath has no water so here we are. Happy Halloween! Hope you have the best day! P.S we are clothed under the bubbles.”
The cute snaps showed Stacey’s marble bathroom in her new home, with her bathtub overflowing in a cloud of bubbles.
Stacey rocked curly hair as she lounged in the bath wearing bright orange headphones connected to a yellow retro cassette player perched on the tub’s edge.
Joe was also seen in a grey wig as he planted a kiss on his wife’s cheek while they relaxed under the bubbles.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Hurley also shared a stunning snap to her socials which she captioned: “Poison Ivy and Batman, Happy Halloween.”
In the image, Liz looked stunning as she showed off her gorgeous figure in a tiny bikini made out of green leaves.
Her husband Billy Ray Cyrus looked fabuous standing beside her as Batman.
Meanwhile, Myleene Klass looked unrecognisable in her Halloween outfit as Edward Scissorhands from Tim Burton’s 1990 film.
While, Holly Willoughby shared a snap of herself dressed as a scary looking pilgrim which she captioned: “Tis the season of the Witch… Happy Halloween everyone.”
However, one of TV’s most glamorous women looked totally different after transforming into Sir Mo Farah for Halloween.
Maya Jama pulled out all the stops to become the sporting legend, donning a bald cap, fake eyebrows and beard, and a Team GB running kit.
Dunnottar Castle, perched on cliffs above the crashing North Sea, is one of Scotland’s eeriest places. The most haunting part is the Whigs Vault, where more than 160 prisoners were confined in dreadful conditions in 1685. Standing in that dark chamber, it’s impossible not to imagine their fear and suffering. With my Fraser ancestry, the castle’s history feels especially poignant. The names of multiple Frasers are recorded, their details written on the wall. The wind whistles through the stonework, the waves thunder below, and there’s a sense that the past hasn’t quite left. It’s beautiful, tragic and wonderfully spooky, especially beneath Aberdeenshire’s brooding grey skies.
Rosie
My dad and I reached Pentre Ifan on a November evening, just before dark. The burial chamber defies explanation: 16 tons of weathered capstone, barely touching three sharp stone points, as though something unseen was holding it up. There was a low hum from somewhere; I hoped it was the wind spilling over the Preseli hills. As the daylight crept away, the chamber beneath grew darker than the settling dusk around us. My dad, who has an explanation for everything, stood silent. I think we walked back to the car a little faster than we had come.
Tom
My recommendation is Shepton Mallet prison, or “the Mallet” as it used to be called, back when it was used as a military prison. It opened in 1625, and you can still crawl through a wall into an original cell. The prison has three Victorian blocks and umpteen stories of past prisoners, including the Kray twins. You can have a daytime tour, or a night-time ghost tour, where you’ll hear stories of spooks and ghouls witnessed by many visitors and staff over the years. You can even stay the night in a real, cold, grim prison cell. The staff are friendly and all great characters, I can’t recommend it enough!
Charlie
Perched high above Hebden Bridge in the historic hilltop village of Heptonstall lies the roofless shell of St Thomas à Becket church. Raked into ruin by a storm in 1847, this 13th-century structure was left to decay alongside its 19th-century successor, creating a rare site where two parish churches share a single churchyard. Gaunt, towering arches frame open skies, and the hollowed-out stone tower feels like the Tower tarot card made real. Expect goosebumps!
Finbarre Snarey
A pub night you won’t forget in Staffordshire
The Four Crosses Inn is the most haunted pub in England – and I should know: it was in my mother’s family for many generations! I grew up hearing about all the ghostly goings on. It was also one of the oldest pubs (it’s only open for tours now), and family lore has it Dr Johnson stayed there. On the edge of creepy Cannock Chase moor in Staffordshire, the scene of many murders, it has dank cellars and creaking attics for you to get really scared in.
Rob
Cooneen Ghost House, near Fivemiletown, is one of Northern Ireland’s eeriest places. The abandoned farmhouse is private, but it can be glimpsed from the road, which somehow makes its old poltergeist stories feel even more unsettling. Nearby Crocknagrally Forest is perfect for a cold-weather ramble to make a day of it, especially on a misty winter afternoon when the tracks are wonderfully secluded and it all feels very remote and spooky. The kind of walk where folklore seems woven into the landscape: dark trees, lonely roads and an old haunted house just out of reach. There are loads of stories around this place that locals will share.
Christina Hawe
after newsletter promotion
The once abandoned quarrying village of Nant Gwrtheyrn, on Llŷn peninsula, lies at the foot of Yr Eifl, down a terrifyingly steep and winding road. On a misty autumn day, with the crashing waves below you and the unsettling presence of a wild goat peering down at you from the cliffs above, it can be truly eerie. The woods in the valley are home to the tale of Rhys and Meinir – a traditional prenuptial game of hide and seek gone awry, with the skeletal remains of a bride-to-be revealed by a bolt of lightning. The site is free to visit.
Sioned
On a cold grey day Slains Castle on the east coast of Scotland, north of Aberdeen, certainly has a spooky air. Although rumours about the castle inspiring Bram Stoker when writing Dracula are apparently untrue, the castle ruins bring to mind bats pouring out of windows and unsavoury aristocrats lurking around corners. It is precariously located on cliffs above the North Sea and the crashing waves and calls of rooks and jackdaws provide an evocatively eerie soundtrack to your visit.
Joel Rawlings
Chanctonbury Ring is an iron age hill fort ringed by beech trees, on the South Downs in West Sussex. Folklore claims that by walking or running around the ring seven times you’ll see the devil. Writer Robert Macfarlane certainly had an unnerving experience there while camping, as recounted in his 2012 book The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot, when awakened in the dead of night by terrifying human-sounding screams high above him in the tree canopy, which seemed to divide and converge before swooping down upon him. Accessible only on foot, who dares follow in Macfarlane’s footsteps to check out the myth?
Kirsty McHattie
My favourite spooky spot is Whitby Abbey, perched high above the Yorkshire coast. Its ruined arches and weathered stone look dramatic in daylight, but imagine them at dusk, with mist drifting in from the North Sea and the wind moving through the empty windows. Whitby’s narrow streets and harbour add another layer of atmosphere, especially when the lamps come on and the town grows quiet. It is easy to see why Bram Stoker found inspiration here for Dracula. I would love to explore the abbey as the light fades, then wander down towards the harbour, listening to the waves and letting my imagination do the rest. The best spooky places are where history, landscape and legend meet – and Whitby has all three. Its magic endures.
Emilio
Thousands gathered on the streets of the Serbian capital Belgrade for a second night to celebrate the victory of the student-led protest movement in parliamentary elections. The result removed the party of former president Aleksandar Vucic from power.
Published On 27 Oct 202627 Oct 2026
Share
COLEEN Rooney shared a loved-up snap with her husband Wayne as they celebrated the footballer’s 41st birthday.
The mum-of-four, 40, took to her Instagram account to pay tribute to Wayne on his special day.
The couple, who started dating back in 2002, were all smiles as they posed for a picture.
Coleen looked stunning yellow lace playsuit, gold flipflops and a matching bag.
She kept her make-up natural looking and scraped her hair back off of her face.
Meanwhile Wayne, who has recently undergone an incredible transformation, opted for a navy polo shirt and jeans.
Coleen captioned the post: “Happy birthday @waynerooney … love you x.”
Fans rushed to the comments section to wish the star a happy birthday, and others pointed out how great they look.
One said: “Aw you both look amazing. Happy birthday @waynerooney you’re getting better looking with age!“
“Best you’ve looked ever!,” another said.
A third added: “Looking soooo good Wayne, happy birthday fella.”
A fourth chimed in: “YOU BOTH LOOK AMAZING GUYS!! LOOK REALLY WELL!!”
The couple tied the knot in 2008 in Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino, Italy.
They share four boys Kai, 16, Klay, 13, Kit, 10 and Cass, eight.
They recently let fans into their home as part of the Disney + documentary The Real Rooneys.
Cameras followed the pair and their four sons through a pivotal year as Wayne adjusts to life away from football management and Coleen takes on new career opportunities.
