and he was an tarantula on his desk. and he was an education _ tarantula on his desk. and he was an education secretary either. —— he wasn't _ education secretary either. —— he wasn't. biden is looking at the nightmare of these two years because probably— nightmare of these two years because probably not the senate, it's 50—50 as we _ probably not the senate, it's 50—50 as we speak. the vice president is the speaker in the senate and it always— the speaker in the senate and it always goes democrat. house of representatives could go republican, and that_ representatives could go republican, and that is_ representatives could go republican, and that is what is so important about_ and that is what is so important about tonight. and then we had the nightmare — about tonight. and then we had the nightmare for biden and one might argue _ nightmare for biden and one might argue he _ nightmare for biden and one might argue he is— nightmare for biden and one might argue he is divisive. you have the spectre _ argue he is divisive. you have the spectre of— argue he is divisive. you have the spectre of trump sitting there, saying. — spectre of trump sitting there, saying. "if— spectre of trump sitting there, saying, "if i see the republicans having _ saying, "if i see the republicans having a — saying, "if i see the republicans having a good show tonight, i might throw— having a good show tonight, i might throw my— having a good show tonight, i might throw my head in the ring for campaign." that will divide america. whilst _ campaign." that will divide america.

whilst america economically — never write them _ whilst america economically — never write them off economically, they are amazing at recovering — but socially. — are amazing at recovering — but socially, socioeconomically, cohesion— socially, socioeconomically, cohesion wise, america's deeply in the depleted. and trump is so... there _ the depleted. and trump is so... there would _ the depleted. and trump is so... there would be america's eye off the ball, there would be america's eye off the halt. and _ there would be america's eye off the ball, and when you think of things where _ ball, and when you think of things where america's engagement is unnecessary, climate change, ukraine, — unnecessary, climate change, ukraine, the whole menace of china — ukraine, the whole menace of china i _ ukraine, the whole menace of china... ., �* . ., china... i don't want to... crosstalk _ crosstalk i'm so sorry to jump crosstalk i'm so sorry tojump in. we had a merry time talking about reality shows and contestants. i want to move now to a show which mixes reality and fiction to the crown. there is the headline next to a

picture, crown of comfort stars say series will help viewers more in the queen. theirfifth series will help viewers more in the queen. their fifth series of the crown. it queen. their fifth series of the crown. . ., , queen. their fifth series of the crown. _, , ,., queen. their fifth series of the crown. , , crown. it could be so because we foruet crown. it could be so because we forget how _ crown. it could be so because we forget how attached _ crown. it could be so because we forget how attached we - crown. it could be so because we forget how attached we were - crown. it could be so because we forget how attached we were to l crown. it could be so because we i forget how attached we were to the queen and the fact that we no longer really see her, the fact that she died in september and we had great of roaring of national grief towards her, and now hopefully affection for king charles going forward. some of us are going to be taken back to events that many of us have lived for. this is what's so remarkable about this current series. people will have witnessed the things that are being shown. therefore we will make thosejudgements are being shown. therefore we will make those judgements about whether we think something feels credible or reliable in terms of the narrative. fundamentally, just to see the queen represented on screen might actually make us feel more affectionate towards the series because let's be

clear — in the last couple weeks, there's been quite a lot of negative press by the decision by netflix not to preface any episodes of the series with any kind of disclaimer to say this is fiction, it's based on sort of real events, but it's their interpretation. you can imagine there's been a red carpet, almost like a premier treatment to this netflix series tonight in london, and the stars are giving it their best spend. funny enough, if you want to know what kind of tv programme i will watch, it is definitely the crown, and i'm curious to see how they are going to deal with events that i can actually really remember so vividly. lard really remember so vividly. lord diub really remember so vividly. lord digbyjones. _ really remember so vividly. lord digby jones. we _ really remember so vividly. lord digby jones, we have _ really remember so vividly. lord digby jones, we have a - really remember so vividly. lord digbyjones, we have a minute left. your thoughts? digby jones, we have a minute left. yourthoughts?_ digby jones, we have a minute left. your thoughts? lucy, we were getting on so well. your thoughts? lucy, we were getting on so well- i— your thoughts? lucy, we were getting on so well. i completely _ your thoughts? lucy, we were getting on so well. i completely disagree - on so well. i completely disagree with you — on so well. i completely disagree with you i— on so well. i completely disagree with you. i think it's a disgraceful programme. i really do. you don't

have to watch _ programme. i really do. you don't have to watch it! _ programme. i really do. you don't have to watch it! well, _ programme. i really do. you don't have to watch it! well, i _ programme. i really do. you don't have to watch it! well, i don't. - programme. i really do. you don't have to watch it! well, i don't. i l have to watch it! well, i don't. i watch it- _ have to watch it! well, i don't. i watch it. thank _ have to watch it! well, i don't. i watch it. thank you, _ have to watch it! well, i don't. i watch it. thank you, you're... i have to watch it! well, i don't. i i watch it. thank you, you're... how they could — watch it. thank you, you're... how they could not _ watch it. thank you, you're... how they could not say _ watch it. thank you, you're... how they could not say this _ watch it. thank you, you're... how they could not say this to - watch it. thank you, you're... how they could not say this to a - they could not say this to a dramatisation, and the reason they say dramatisation, and the reason they say they— dramatisation, and the reason they say they don't is because they think — say they don't is because they think... they say publicly that people — think... they say publicly that people know it's fiction. they've -ot people know it's fiction. they've got 248 — people know it's fiction. they've got 248 million subscribers. lord knows _ got 248 million subscribers. lord knows how — got 248 million subscribers. lord knows how many people believe this is a documentary. it will help us, i do agree, — is a documentary. it will help us, i do agree, it — is a documentary. it will help us, i do agree, it will ring back... gn do agree, it will ring back... on that point. _ do agree, it will ring back... qt that point, digbyjones and do agree, it will ring back... (in that point, digbyjones and lucy beresford, a score draw. that's it for tonight. beresford, a score draw. that's it fortonight. see beresford, a score draw. that's it for tonight. see you in a bit.

good evening, this is your updates from the bbc sport centre. with less than two weeks to go, the controversy continues ahead of the men's football world cup, after an ambassador for the host nation qatar described homosexuality as "damage in the mind". the comments have been described as harmful and unacceptable by human rights campaigners. jane dougall reports. in qatar, this can see you in prison or even given the death penalty. this protest is to pressure fee for edible world cup in a country where same—sex relationships are illegal. and just days before the tournament begins, an ambassadorfor the and just days before the tournament begins, an ambassador for the world cup has told a german broadcaster that homosexuality is forbidden, but

he went further — denouncing same—sex relationships. i he went further - denouncing same-sex relationships. i am not big muslim, but — same-sex relationships. i am not big muslim, but that _ same-sex relationships. i am not big muslim, but that is _ same-sex relationships. i am not big muslim, but that is the _ same-sex relationships. i am not big muslim, but that is the haram - same-sex relationships. i am not big muslim, but that is the haram way, i muslim, but that is the haram way, it is damage in the mind. his muslim, but that is the haram way, it is damage in the mind.— it is damage in the mind. his words have upset — it is damage in the mind. his words have upset many. _ it is damage in the mind. his words have upset many, including - it is damage in the mind. his words have upset many, including hale i it is damage in the mind. his words l have upset many, including hale and hearty, founder of lgbt football team manchester lacey �*s —— places. i don't think it could be taken any idon't think it could be taken any other— i don't think it could be taken any other way, — i don't think it could be taken any otherway, so i don't think it could be taken any other way, so we're quite clear on how they— other way, so we're quite clear on how they feel about lgbtq+ people. the 2022 _ how they feel about lgbtq+ people. the 2022 fifa world cup is qatar. there _ the 2022 fifa world cup is qatar. there was widespread _ the 2022 fifa world cup is qatar. there was widespread criticism i the 2022 fifa world cup is qatar. j there was widespread criticism 12 there was widespread criticism i2 there was widespread criticism 12 years ago when they were announced as the host. the then president has since been banned from football over a corruption scandal, and speaking

to the bbc for an upcoming five life podcast, he admitted qatar had been a mistake. not because home homosexuality is outlawed, but because of the size of the country. it's a big, big organisation, which means also a big country. qatar is too small to do that. i said to myself, i was right at a certain time to say we should not go there. the danger to lgbt people has prompted harry kane to join gareth bail in announcing they will wear a one love armband for the tournament. it's prompted a wider debate. it is it's prompted a wider debate. it is not safe for— it's prompted a wider debate. it is not safe for someone like me to watch the — not safe for someone like me to watch the world cup in qatar. because — watch the world cup in qatar. because of the human rights abuses that lgbt— because of the human rights abuses that lgbt population, i don't think they should ever be awarded a major sporting _ they should ever be awarded a major sporting event. they should ever be awarded a ma'or

sporting event— they should ever be awarded a ma'or sporting event.— they should ever be awarded a ma'or sporting event— they should ever be awarded a ma'or sporting vntd sporting event. more than 1 million visitors are — sporting event. more than 1 million visitors are expected _ sporting event. more than 1 million visitors are expected to _ sporting event. more than1 million visitors are expected to travel- sporting event. more than 1 million visitors are expected to travel to i visitors are expected to travel to the world cup. organisers have said everyone is welcome, but the contradictory words have raised more questions over the safety of lgbt supporters. jane dougal, bbc news. liverpool's assistant manager, pep lijnders, insists the players have not been distracted by talk of a potential sale by the club's owners. yesterday, it emerged the american—based fsg were open to accepting new shareholders, and hadn't ruled out putting the club on the market. lijnders says the staff and players were made aware of the situation ten days ago, so it hadn't come as a surprise. so, ithink so, i think this statement was clear. it is nothing new for a club to find new players. it's not new... they are acting in the best interest in the club, they tried to take the club forward. i believe they always get, for me, they are good owners of. ., ., ., get, for me, they are good owners of. new zealand and pakistan meet

and 1320 world — of. new zealand and pakistan meet and 1320 world cup. _ new zealand and pakistan meet in their t2o world cup semifinal in sydney on wednesday, having had very different routes to the last four. a remarkable turn of events on sunday, meant pakistan made it through at the expense of south africa, who crumbled when on the verge of the semis. while new zealand, bar their defeat to england, have barely put a foot wrong in australia so far. if you can confined yourself in positions _ if you can confined yourself in positions to compete across the line, _ positions to compete across the line, that's a really good thing. we're — line, that's a really good thing. we're going to a semifinal. it's exciting — we're going to a semifinal. it's exciting. they're all great teams, all playing — exciting. they're all great teams, all playing really good cricket and we're _ all playing really good cricket and we're focused on our challenge tomorrow _ welcome to pakistan cricket. meaning that oh— welcome to pakistan cricket. meaning that oh arty— welcome to pakistan cricket. meaning that on any given _ welcome to pakistan cricket. meaning that on any given day, _ welcome to pakistan cricket. meaning that on any given day, anything - welcome to pakistan cricket. meaning that on any given day, anything can i that on any given day, anything can happen, _ that on any given day, anything can happen. and — that on any given day, anything can happen. and on— that on any given day, anything can happen, and on that _ that on any given day, anything can happen, and on that particular- that on any given day, anything can happen, and on that particular dayi happen, and on that particular day when _ happen, and on that particular day when the — happen, and on that particular day when the netherlands _ happen, and on that particular day when the netherlands beat - happen, and on that particular day when the netherlands beat southi when the netherlands beat south africa, _ when the netherlands beat south africa, it — when the netherlands beat south africa, it was _ when the netherlands beat south africa, it was a _ when the netherlands beat south africa, it was a significant - when the netherlands beat south. africa, it was a significant moment for us _ africa, it was a significant moment for us in _ africa, it was a significant moment for us in the — africa, it was a significant moment for us in the tournament. -

africa, it was a significant moment for us in the tournament. and - africa, it was a significant moment for us in the tournament. and a i for us in the tournament. and a very. _ for us in the tournament. and a very. very— for us in the tournament. and a very, very significant _ for us in the tournament. and a very, very significant moment i for us in the tournament. and a i very, very significant moment for the team — very, very significant moment for the team in— very, very significant moment for the team in general— very, very significant moment for the team in general around - very, very significant moment for the team in general around its. the team in general around its potential— the team in general around its potential in _ the team in general around its potential in reaching - the team in general around its potential in reaching that - potential in reaching that potential _ the women's rugby world cup final will be a very special occasion for all england and new zealand players, who take to the field in auckland on saturday, but particularly significant for claudia macdonald. in april, she was told that her rugby career could be over, due to a neck injury sustained last year. the scrum—half turned winger has defied the odds by not only returning to the squad, but being one of england's top players at the tournament. having the initial call to say rugby might be back on the table, my expectations were never to have been set here right now. every step was, maybe i could do this, maybe i can do the preseason. who knows how much i'll play out here. now here we are. it will be really exciting to see just how we can get on. iertel’iiiii it will be really exciting to see just how we can get on. will be a

da to just how we can get on. will be a day to remember. _ and that is all the sport for now. hello there. ultimately, it's another day of sunny spells and scattered showers across the country — hopefully, though, fewer showers than we've seen just recently. the wind direction has changed to a westerlyjust for a day, but it's driving in the showers along west—facing coasts. during the early morning, we'll see a few showers to ease away across the channel coast, and then, some sunshine come through. into the afternoon, we'll see some of the showers across england and wales fading away, but at the same time, more persistent showers arrive into the far north of scotland. here's where we'll have the strongest of the winds, although lighter than the last couple of days. and a similar temperature to the last few days, highs between 11—15 celsius. the winds return back to a south—westerly, a milder source on thursday. certainly going to be more in the way of low cloud, mist and drizzle along exposed south and west—facing coasts. any of the rain will be more

persistent into the far north. and here, we'll see gale force gusts of winds returning. highs of 13—17.

this is bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm james reynolds. the headlines... the first resignation from the uk prime minister rishi suna k�*s new cabinet. gavin williamson says allegations of bullying were becoming a distraction. millions of americans have been voting in the midterm elections to decide which party will control congress in the years ahead. the democrats fear they'll lose their majority in the house of representatives, but there's much tighter competition for the senate. with less than two weeks to kick off, the former head of fifa says it was a mistake to award qatar the world cup. the un calls for the immediate release of the british egyptian

activist from prison. hello, and welcome. a cabinet minister appointed by the new british prime minister, rishi sunak, just two weeks ago, has resigned after being accused of bullying. gavin williamson has apologised for sending angry text messages to a minister, about not being invited to queen elizabeth's funeral. sir gavin denied other allegations that he'd bullied civil servants, but said they were becoming a distraction. our political correspondent damian grammaticas has the latest. it was exactly two weeks ago that gavin williamson was brought back into government on the very first day rishi sunak was prime minister. a controversial figure, but mounting bullying accusations have now forced to resign. in his letter tonight, he wrote...

on the steps of downing street, mr sunak had made this pledge. this government will have integrity, professionalism, and accountability at every level. but he was criticised for having around his cabinet table gavin williamson and others thought to be there as a reward for supporting rishi sunak�*s a bid to be party leader. allegations of bullying have mounted since the weekend against williamson, that he sent expletive laden text messages to the then—chief whip, that he made bullying comments to a civil servant, and both figures have lodged complaints, and his former deputy whip tonight claimed he acted unethically and in a threatening manner.

as they arrive for their cabinet meeting this morning, ministers said the complaints process should run its course. there is a process going on, as you know. the claims snowballed throughout the day and that was short—circuited, and in his reply rishi sunaktonight said... the opposition party says rishi sunak�*sjudgment has been poor. it is right he resigned but this is another example of rishi sunak�*s weak leadership and poor judgment. he appointed gavin williamson despite knowing the serious allegations about his conduct, and yet he repeatedly expressed full confidence in him. gavin williamson was brought into government first by david cameron, but he was sacked as theresa may's defence sector e—4 lakes and seek to gain

as the education secretary under borisjohnson and now he has gone for a third time —— defence secretary for leaks and sacked again as the education secretary. if you are the story, you're distracting from everything else. so well done, gavin. rishi sunak has got my number if he wants to know who to appoint next. last week rishi sunak faced attacks in parliament for his appointment of suella braverman as home secretary and tomorrow he is back in the chamber and facing no doubt more criticism of his choices. americans have been casting their ballots in the final hours of mid—term elections that will determine which party controls congress. the democrats currently hold sway in both chambers, but polls have suggested the republicans will regain the house of representatives and could take the senate. if they succeed, they will be able to stifle president biden's legislative agenda for the next two years. our correspondentjohn sudworth has been following the action from philadelphia, in the state of pennsylvania.

i'm in mcgill and's old alehouse, in downtown philadelphia. in the next few hours people will turn up here and be able to watch the results unfold on the big screens. they'll be watching from a pub that dates back to 1860, the eve of the american civil war, and an event that some people of course he dark echoes of in today's divided political landscape. those divisions have been evident throughout this campaign, in particulara key have been evident throughout this campaign, in particular a key senate race that pits doctor mehmet oz, a republicans slick celebrity tv doctor against his democratic opponent, john federman, a man who's been living out his own personal health crisis there of this campaign, having suffered a stroke earlier this year. and that has complicated the race, leaving the polls to close to call. so this is one state, one of the few that could have a real bearing on the makeup of congress, and on a key question, after these midterms, will president biden be able in any way to govern effectively? or will he be left as a

lame duck president for the remainder of his term? and one other fine detail, there is already legal wrangling in the courts here in pennsylvania over a small section of mail—in ballots — that tells you not just how close things are in the state, but how politcised the process itself has become. as we heard there, the results of these midterms could have a huge impact on the remainder of us presidentjoe biden's term. our north america editor sarah smith explains. president biden says nothing less than democracy itself is on the ballot — than democracy itself is on the ballot this year, and a country where — ballot this year, and a country where many people still believe the 2020 presidential election was stolen — 2020 presidential election was stolen. republicans are convinced that voters are more concerned about the economy than democracy, and that's— the economy than democracy, and that's why— the economy than democracy, and that's why they are pretty confident that's why they are pretty confident that they— that's why they are pretty confident that they will win a majority in the house _ that they will win a majority in the house of— that they will win a majority in the house of representatives. the senate really is _ house of representatives. the senate really is too _ house of representatives. the senate really is too close to call it the moment _ really is too close to call it the moment. even if the republicans only when the _ moment. even if the republicans only when the house, they will still be able to— when the house, they will still be able to block almost every piece of legislation the president proposes, and they'll probably also try to impeach — and they'll probably also try to impeach him even though they haven't

decided _ impeach him even though they haven't decided what they want to impeach him for— decided what they want to impeach him for yet. we will start getting results _ him for yet. we will start getting results tonight, but we won't get all of— results tonight, but we won't get all of them in — and it's quite important _ all of them in — and it's quite important to remember this because a lot of postal votes cannot be counted _ lot of postal votes cannot be counted until the polls have closed. it counted until the polls have closed. it will _ counted until the polls have closed. it will actually be a few days before — it will actually be a few days before we know the final results. and it _ before we know the final results. and it was — before we know the final results. and it was a delayjust like that in 2020 _ and it was a delayjust like that in 2020 that— and it was a delayjust like that in 2020 that led to the claims of electoral— 2020 that led to the claims of electoral fraud — because at first, on the _ electoral fraud — because at first, on the results that came in that night, donald trump appeared to be ahead. _ night, donald trump appeared to be ahead. ttut— night, donald trump appeared to be ahead, but after counting the mail-in — ahead, but after counting the mail—in ballots, joe biden overtook him. _ mail—in ballots, joe biden overtook him. and _ mail—in ballots, joe biden overtook him, and that's where some of those claims _ him, and that's where some of those claims of— him, and that's where some of those claims of fraud came from. and already— claims of fraud came from. and already today we've heard of cases in maricopa county, arizona where some _ in maricopa county, arizona where some voting machines have been worked _ some voting machines have been worked to— some voting machines have been worked to working. they've been fixed _ worked to working. they've been fixed now — worked to working. they've been fixed now but there's already set off allegations of cheating happening. this is cleveland, in the state of ohio — where voters are casting their ballots. polls close at 7.30pm local time. many people in this election across

the country will have voted early, including president biden himself. in ohio, there's a fascinating senate race betweenjd vance and tim ryan. and you can follow all the results and analysis of the us midterm elections very shortly with katty kay and christian fraser on bbc news, from 23.15 gmt, and on the bbc news website. coverage starts in about ten minutes. with just 12 days to go to the start of the football world cup in qatar, there are renewed doubts about the suitability of the arab state to host the tournament. sepp blatter, the former president of fifa, said he'd always been of the view that the country was "too small" to host the event. and there's been worldwide criticism of remarks by khalid salman — a former qatari professional footballer, now a world cup ambassador — who said homosexuality was "damage in the mind", and warned gay people that they would have to accept the country's rules when they visited. our sports correspondent jane dougall reports.

a protest to pressure fifa days before a world cup in a country where same—sex relationships are illegal. and fresh controversy, as former qatar player khalid salman — now an ambassador for the tournament — was asked about homosexuality. he told a german broadcaster it was "haram", which means forbidden. but he went further, denouncing same—sex relationships. but do you think gay is haram? it's haram, because why is it haram? i am not one big muslim, but it's haram why? because it's damaging the mind. at this point, a world cup official steps in, bringing the interview to an abrupt halt. his words, though, have upset many, including helen hardy, the founder of lgbt football team manchester laces. it was so definite, what was said, and so deeply offensive, and i don't think it could be taken any other way. so we're clear on how they feel

about lgbtq+ people. the 2022 fifa world cup is qatar! it's been controversial from the start. 12 years ago, when qatar was given the 2022 world cup, there was wide criticism... ..notjust on the outlawing of homosexuality, also their poor human rights record and unbearable temperatures forcing the tournament to be moved to the winter months. the then fifa president sepp blatter was a champion of the decision at the time. however, speaking to the bbc for an upcoming 5live podcast, blatter admitted it had been a mistake, not forany of the obvious reasons. it's a big, big organisation which needs also a big country. qatar is too small to do that, i said to myself. i was right at a certain time to say it is... we should not go there. labour mp luke pollard, who is openly gay, says this

cannot happen again. i think fifa has real questions to answer about how they make sure that the world cup goes to places where fans can support their team, be true to themselves and not have to hide in the closet to be able to support their national team. more than a million visitors are expected to travel to qatar for the world cup. despite the words of khalid salman, the host country's organisers have said that everyone is welcome. jane dougall, bbc news. the united nations has called for the "immediate release" of the british—egyptian pro—democracy activist, alaa abd el—fattah, from prison near cairo. mr abd el—fattah has escalated his hunger strike by refusing to drink water, since the cop27 summit opened. the foreign, commonwealth, and development office says it will continue to call for his urgent release at all levels. caroline hawley reports. alaa abd el—fattah is egypt's foremost human rights defender. his family say he looks nothing like this any more,

that months of hunger strike have left him skin on bone. he rose to prominence during the arab spring of 2011, and became an icon of the revolution, but hopes that this would be a turning point that ushered in a proper democracy were thwarted. this was alaa abd el—fattah in 2013, holding his son khaled, surrounded by supporters. the following year, he was jailed for allegedly organising a protest. he was released in 2019 but was back in jail within months after sharing a facebook post about the torture of another prisoner. he's spent most of the past decade behind bars. this is where he is now being held. his family have had no news of him since his last drink of water, on sunday. his younger sister sanaa flew to sharm el—sheikh from london to lobby for his release. we don't know anything. i don't know if he's alive or not but i'm telling myself he can't be dead. what is your message - to the british government?

do your best. do your best and show that it's serious and that it will affect the relationship. and do your best. you have a duty to your citizen and this is also insulting for you. yesterday, rishi sunak met egypt's president sisi. downing street said he stressed the uk's deep concern about alaa abd el—fattah. egyptian officials say they are offering him food, drink and medical treatment, but are still refusing to allow the british embassy access to him. abd el—fattah is in great danger. his dry hunger strike puts his life at acute risk and there is a lack of transparency as well around his current condition. there has been silence today from the foreign office. britain and egypt are important allies with trade and military ties and the government has been criticised by both opposition politicians and former diplomats for not putting more pressure on egypt over his case. his family no longer believe he has a future in egypt. they nowjust want him safely out ofjail, out of the country, and in the uk with his ten—year—old son.

caroline hawley, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news. the world record in lottery jackpots won on a single ticket has been broken — by one lucky powerball player in california who has won a staggering amount — over $2 billion. the winner bought their ticket at service station in los angeles. officials in washington have stressed that only ukraine can decide whether to start talks with russia, and that moscow will have to face justice for its actions — amid reports that the us has been encouraging ukraine to show it's open to dialogue. india says it'll continue buying russian oil because it's so cheap. on a visit to moscow, india's foreign minister said since the arrangement had worked to india's advantage, they'd keep the trade going. russia's share in india's oil imports last month surged to an all—time high of 22%, from just about 2% before russia's invasion of ukraine. that's all from me. let's join my colleagues katty kay and christian fraserfor a special coverage of the us midterm results.

it's election night across america. 50 states, millions of votes, and an outcome that will be felt here and around the globe. the control of congress is up for grabs, with republicans looking to retake the house and senate from the democrats. hundreds of seats in congress are about to be decided. across the states, voters have lined up to choose governors, and a host of local officials. people who could decide how future elections are fought. i'mjohn sudworth in philadelphia. this race could have a significant bearing on whetherjoe biden becomes a lame—duck president. you can tell just how tight the contest is because the legal wrangling has begun over which votes to count.