Democrats are facing a shrunken majority as a predicted ‘blue wave’ fails to materialise in Tuesday’s elections.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was confident the Democrats had managed to retain the House.
“I’m very very proud of the fact that tonight, relatively early, we’re able to say that we have held the house,” she told reporters on Wednesday morning, praising the “quality of leadership” Democrat candidates showed throughout the election.
But do not count the Republicans out yet. Despite predictions of gains numbering in the teens, Democrats failed to make inroads into the midwest and other Republican strongholds.
Republicans have so far flipped eight seats in New Mexico, Oklahoma, North and South Carolina, Texas and Florida. The fight for Democrat Torres Small’s seat cost around $35 million, making it one of the country’s most expensive races, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. She was defeated by Yvette Herrell, a former state legislator.
Democrats have flipped three seats in return, in North Carolina and Georgia.
To win control of the 435-seat chamber, Republicans would have needed 218 seats in the House, 21 more than they secured in 2018.
If Democrats have retained the house and also control the senate, they will have the power to assist first-term president Joe Biden or block the policy plans of a second-term Donald Trump.
Just like the presidency, full results may not be known until days after November 3 due to the high number of mail-in ballots and the extra time it takes to count them.
Some familiar faces have already secured their return to Congress.
The four progressive female Democrats known as ‘the squad’ - Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan - celebrated their win on Wednesday. Ms Omar tweeted: “our sisterhood is resilient” alongside photos of her fellow ‘squad’ members.
The results could also see Ms Ocasio-Cortez robbed of her title of youngest congress member ever elected. Republican Madison Cawthorn, 25, is projected to beat Democrat Moe Davis for North Carolina's 11th Congressional District. Ms Ocasio-Cortez was 29 years old when she took the post, but hold very different politics.
“I swear to you, until my dying breath, that I will defend your freedom in Washington,” he tweeted to voters on Tuesday evening.
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
BABYLON
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The Internet
Hive Mind
four stars
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Helen Cullen, Graydon House
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company%20profile
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How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
TV:
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
