Author: BBC

Getty ImagesThe party that will control the US House of Representatives for the next two years is still in the balance. Republicans were seven seats short of the 218 seats needed to take control on Thursday morning. Democrats need 15 more.The Senate, or upper chamber, and the White House have already flipped to Republicans so President-elect Donald Trump could have total control when he is sworn in on 20 January 2025.Control of the House, the lower chamber, gives a party the power to initiate spending legislation and launch impeachment proceedings against officials.Under Trump, a unified Republican Party could more easily…

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has stressed that the reason she will not be returning to the series this year has “nothing to do with any previous health scares”. Two weeks ago Dowden was taken to hospital as a “precaution” after she began “feeling unwell”.On Wednesday, she told Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two that she has a “insufficiency stress fracture, if I’ve said that right, on my shin”.Dowden, 34, returned to competing in the BBC show for its 20th anniversary series after missing out last year while undergoing treatment for breast cancer.She said she was “absolutely gutted” to…

Donald Trump’s return to the White House might also prove to be a win for one of his most visible supporters: Elon Musk.The world’s richest man spent election night in Florida with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort as returns came in.“The people of America gave @realDonaldTrump a crystal clear mandate for change tonight,” Mr Musk wrote on the social media platform X as Trump’s victory began to appear all but certain.And at his victory speech at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Trump spent several minutes praising Mr Musk and recounting the successful landing of a rocket manufactured by one of…

Australia’s government says it will introduce “world-leading” legislation to ban children under 16 from social media. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the proposed laws, to be tabled in parliament next week, were aimed at mitigating the “harm” social media was inflicting on Australian children. “This one is for the mums and dads… They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. I want Australian families to know that the government has your back,” he said. While many of the details are yet to be debated, the government said the ban will not apply to young people…

The average UK house price reached a record high last month, according to Halifax.The UK’s largest mortgage lender said the average price hit £293,999 in October, surpassing a peak of £293,507 that was reached in June 2022.Halifax said it expected prices to continue to rise at a “modest pace” for the next few months.However, it warned that mortgage costs could remain “higher for longer” following last week’s Budget.Following the Budget, which included plans to borrow and spend billions of pounds, financial markets expect the Bank of England to cut rates more slowly than previously anticipated.However, the Bank is still expected…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the UK’s Keir Starmer have been among the first world leaders to congratulate Donald Trump on winning the US presidential election.The election of a new president is not just a big deal for the US – a new leader in the White House can transform the country’s foreign policy and its position towards its friends and foes internationally. Here is how some of the world’s leaders have reacted so far.In his statement, Netanyahu – who has had a difficult relationship with President Joe Biden – spoke of “history’s greatest comeback”, adding that Trump’s return…

Girls Aloud are to release a new version of their hit single I’ll Stand By You, with the lead vocal sung entirely by their late bandmate Sarah Harding.The ballad was originally released as a Children In Need song in 2004 and topped the UK chart for two weeks. The 20th anniversary re-release will again raise money for the charity.”It really is a special celebration of Sarah, and also Girls Aloud’s involvement with Children In Need over the years,” singer Nadine Coyle said.Harding died of complications from breast cancer in September 2021 at the age of 39.Her isolated vocal for I’ll…

Getty ImagesSome textile dyeing is still done by handIn a small corner of rural Taiwan, set amongst other dye houses and small factories, the start-up Alchemie Technology is in the final phase of rolling out a project it claims will upend the global apparel industry and slash its carbon footprint.The UK-based start-up has targeted one of the dirtiest parts of the apparel industry – dyeing fabric – with the world’s first digital dyeing process.“Traditionally in dyeing fabric, you’re steeping the fabric in water at 135 degrees celsius for up to four hours or so – gallons and tons of water.…

Getty ImagesPolice will no longer be able to hold people who are being detained for mental health reasons in police cells, under government plans for England and Wales.Officers can currently use cells as a “place of safety” for up to 24 hours to allow those needing immediate care to be assessed by a doctor.New legislation will also introduce additional rights for those receiving treatment, in a bid to modernise decades-old mental health laws.Charities have broadly welcomed the changes, whilst highlighting the need for better funding for mental health.Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the “outdated” system was in need of changes…

The US dollar has surged as Donald Trump is on the cusp of winning back the White House in the presidential race.Bitcoin is also at a record high as traders bet on potential tax cuts, tariffs, and rising inflation under Trump.The result of the election is expected to have a major impact on the global economy.According to a projection from the BBC’s US partner CBS, the Republican Party is set to take control of the Senate but there are still votes left to count.The dollar has soared by around 1.5% against a host of different currencies, including the pound, euro…