US

A woman has been sentenced to death for killing a pregnant mother she knew and cutting out her baby to take as her own. Taylor Parker, 29, was convicted last month of murdering Reagan Simmons-Hancock and on Wednesday a jury in Texas gave her the death penalty. She killed the 21-year-old in October 2020, beating

Donald Trump has described Ron DeSantis as an “average” politician, in a statement aimed at belittling the man who could rival him for the Republican presidential nomination. Mr DeSantis, 44, was re-elected as Florida governor with almost 60% of the vote, marking him out as a rising star and a possible contender for the presidency

“Trumpty Dumpty” – probably as much a political epitaph as a headline. When the New York Post put that on their front page, it wasn’t just selling papers, it was crafting the end of a career. And it wasn’t alone – searing assessments of Donald Trump and what he meant for the 2022 midterms have

Joe Biden has described the midterm results so far as a “good day for democracy” and a “good day for America”. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday afternoon, the president said the results, although still unclear, represent a “clear and unmistakable message to preserve our democracy”. “The American people have spoken and shown that

This may well be the beginning of the end of Donald Trump.  The story of the night is his reverse Midas touch. Nearly every candidate he touched seems to have done worse than those he did not pick. The man who lost the last election and the popular vote in both the last two elections

Republican hopes of wiping out the Democrats in the US midterm elections appear to have faded away as a “red wave” of wins has failed to materialise. The Republicans are still set to take control of the House of Representatives – but with a much slimmer majority than expected, while the race for the Senate

Donald Trump has repeatedly teased that he will run for president again in 2024 – and is vowing to make a “very big announcement” next week in Florida. Speaking at a rally in Ohio the night before polls open for the midterms, Mr Trump said: “I’m going to be making a very big announcement on

Donald Trump has officially launched a third bid for the US presidency after several hints, amid legal probes and blame for the Republican Party’s underwhelming midterm election results. He made the announcement from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and said: “America’s comeback starts right now.” Mr Trump said that “everybody was doing great” after his

In a park on a Saturday afternoon in suburban Atlanta, a group of young women gather, eating pizza and talking. But this is no idle chit chat, they are discussing the future leadership of this country, and specifically what the midterm elections on Tuesday mean for their reproductive rights. Most of them are first-time voters

America’s midterms don’t normally grip us. Wake us up when you choose another president. But these should, and for all the wrong reasons. Anyone who has covered a few of them knows they are very different this year. The mood is dark in America. There is a sense of dread about the future. And if

Over the space of just a few hours and within just 50 miles of each other, I’ve seen two entirely different visions for America this weekend. In the unseasonably warm afternoon sun in Pittsburgh, a crowd had gathered to listen to their hero Barack Obama. The Democratic Party is in trouble, perhaps big trouble, in

At least one person has been killed and dozens were injured after tornadoes tore through parts of Oklahoma and Texas, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Search and rescue teams have been sent to the worst-hit areas with people trapped in ruined buildings. Storms have also caused flash flooding in some parts. Two

For more than 20 years Democrats could rely on New York, a bastion of liberal support in their war with Republicans. The state has not elected a Republican senator or governor for two decades. But as the US midterms loom next week, their dominance is threatened. As a sign they are in trouble, Democrats are

For more than 20 years Democrats could rely on New York, a bastion of liberal support in their war with Republicans. The state has not elected a Republican senator or governor for two decades. But as the US midterms loom next week, their dominance is threatened. As a sign they are in trouble, Democrats are

Donald Trump has dropped his heaviest hint yet that he will make another run for the White House telling a rally he will “very, very, very probably do it again”. The former US president told a crowd in Iowa to “get ready” as he teased a comeback in 2024. There is speculation Mr Trump could

Twitter employees are finding out whether they are being laid off today – one week after Elon Musk’s takeover. The social network’s offices are temporarily closed globally, and workers will find out their fate by 4pm UK time. Those who are losing their jobs will receive a message to their personal email address, while employees

Analysis: Biden’s intervention is high risk – and controversial This was no normal pre-election speech, and be in no doubt, an intervention like this is extremely controversial. By saying that only his Democratic Party stands for democracy – however true he may believe that to be – is he essentially telling voters that the nation’s

The gunman who killed 17 students and staff in the Parkland school shooting has been formally sentenced to life in prison. A jury in Florida voted to spare Nikolas Cruz from the death penalty last month, instead choosing life in prison without the possibility of parole. The 24-year-old pleaded guilty last year to premeditated murder

Disturbing reports have surfaced of a young girl’s call to police from inside the scene of the Uvalde school shooting – more than 40 minutes before officers arrived. An exclusive CNN story says the 10-year old told the dispatcher: “I’m in classroom 112. Please hurry. There is a lot of dead bodies.” Khloie Torres was

The man accused of attacking the husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told police he was on a “suicide mission” and had plans to target other politicians. David DePape was allegedly looking for Mrs Pelosi when he attacked her husband Paul, 82, with a hammer in the early hours of last Friday. According to