The Republican Party has won control of the Senate in the US mid-term elections, increasing their power over US politics for the final two years of Barack Obama presidency.
Democrats won elections in New York and Virginia, and moderate Republican Chris Christie was re-elected in New Jersey as the American public blamed the recent government shutdown on the no-compromise far-right Republicans in the polls.
The US government shutdown has consequences across the country, costing an estimated $300 million each day that the government is closed for business.
US President Barack Obama has said that he is “exasperated” by the ongoing government shutdown caused by Republicans attempting to renegotiate Obamacare whilst holding the country to ransom over budget approval.
56 police officers and two members of the public have been injured in Belfast as a loyalist demonstration against republican parade turned violent yesterday.