'Red wave’ fails to materialise as Democrats beat expectations | First Thing

Fetterman clinches crucial Senate seat for Democrats in Pennsylvania while a slew of election-denying Republican candidates failed to win - although Republicans may still take the House. Plus, the drug that is Hollywood's worst-kept secret

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Good morning.

Democrats have reason for cautious optimism this morning, as some of their endangered candidates appear likely to emerge victorious in the midterm elections, but Republicans still enjoy a narrow advantage in the battle for control of the House of Representatives. The Senate is too close to call, with the race in Nevada coming down to the wire and Georgia likely to go to a runoff in December.

Who will win control of Congress? With many races still too close to call, control of Congress - and the future of Biden's agenda - still hangs in the balance. Outcomes of some closely contested elections are not expected for several days, or even weeks. But the early results already returned one certainty: the election is not unfolding as Republicans had hoped.

Where can we see the results? A definitive run-down of victories and losses is yet to come, but keep a close eye on the Guardian live blog for the latest updates. And check our live election results page for full results of the congressional midterms, seat by seat. Full coverage of the midterms here.

What does this mean for anti-abortion Republicans? These wins are more blows for Republicans who are increasingly finding that, when put to a vote, Americans frequently do not agree with a sweeping agenda to dismantle abortion rights. So far, the anti-abortion movement has relied on judges, state houses and Republican lawmakers to curtail reproductive rights.