UPDATED: Nov 3, 2026 09:06 ISTAmericans cast their votes in the crucial 2026 US midterm elections, serving as a major electoral test for President Donald Trump and determining control of both chambers of the US Congress. In a major legal setback for the administration, the US Supreme Court rejected an emergency plea seeking to halt the counting of more than 20,000 disputed mail-in ballots in California, allowing state election officials to process them under existing procedures.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats are being contested across key battleground states including Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and North Carolina. The electoral battle unfolds amid voter concerns over rising prices, the cost of living, immigration, and low presidential approval ratings.

A shift in congressional power could place significant roadblocks in front of the Trump administration's domestic legislative agenda, alter foreign policy funding, and reshape American trade and diplomatic strategies globally. Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSDelhi AQI Enters Very Poor Category, GRAP 2 Imposed Across NCR Ahead Of DiwaliAir quality across Delhi and the National Capital Region has deteriorated into the very poor category, with the overall Air Quality Index breaching the 300 mark and crossing 400 in areas such as Rohini and Bawana.

In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management has enforced Stage Two of the Graded Response Action Plan across the region. Under these guidelines, the burning of wood and coal in hotels and restaurants is prohibited, diesel generator usage is restricted to emergencies, and parking fees have been raised to discourage private vehicle use.

The Delhi Metro will run 20 additional daily trips on weekdays, while civic bodies step up mechanical road sweeping and water sprinkling. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has permitted the sale and bursting of only green crackers on specific dates during limited morning and evening time slots for Diwali.

Gurugram has additionally mandated 50 percent work from home and halted construction activities.Lucknow KGMU Conversion Case: Survivor Statement Alleges Sexual Abuse, DruggingA shocking survivor testimony accessed in the King George's Medical University conversion case reveals serious allegations against Dr Rameez. The victim claimed she was drugged, molested while unconscious, and repeatedly coerced into physical relations under the promise of marriage.

The alleged sexual exploitation and harassment spanned over a decade, between 2012 and 2025. The survivor further stated that she was brainwashed against her religion, forced to distance herself from her parents, impregnated in 2016 and pressured into having an abortion.

When she confronted the accused about alleged multiple affairs in 2024, she was physically assaulted. The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force investigation found Dr Rameez and his family complicit in criminal activities, leading to their arrest, with the High Court rejecting bail.

The inquiry revealed a wider nexus at the medical college, involving professors who allegedly aided the accused and showed bias towards specific communities.Open Debate Dare Sparks Political Face-Off, Foreign Links Row And Social Media Weaponisation AlertA political face-off has escalated between the government and the opposition over a challenge for an open, presidential-style debate. The opposition leadership has questioned the mandate of the government and challenged the leadership to defend its record face-to-face.

In response, ruling party leaders hit back, accusing the opposition of lacking vision, avoiding accountability, and echoing narratives harmful to national interests. Meanwhile, concerns were highlighted regarding foreign interference, the coordination of anti-national elements, and the systematic weaponisation of social media platforms to spread rumours and tarnish the image of the country.Row Over Electoral Rolls Intensifies as BJP Defends SIR While Congress Alleges Voter DeletionsThe political confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has intensified following allegations regarding large-scale voter deletions from electoral rolls.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the roll cleanup during an address in Telangana, asserting that three crore non-existent entries and infiltrators were eliminated to preserve the integrity of elections, while claiming the opposition opposed the process for vote bank politics. In contrast, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi cited the deletion of over 13 crore names following the 2024 general election, characterising it as significant disenfranchisement and alleging electoral irregularities.

Meanwhile, senior leaders from both sides debated the issue, with the ruling establishment disputing claims of voter theft and pointing to legitimate roll revisions, duplicate entries, and shifted voters, even as the opposition continues to seek explanations regarding the criteria and verification mechanisms behind the massive roll updates.