The World Tonight

US Vice President JD Vance says the Republicans lost the midterm elections because of the war in Iran. We speak to a long-standing Republican activist in a state where the Democrats triumphed.
We also hear from two newly elected members of Congress on why the Democrats won big and a Kansas cattle farmer who switched his vote from the Republicans. And the UK's former Ambassador in Washington explains why America's relationship with Israel may now change.

As Americans vote in the crucial midterm elections - what impact could they have on President Trump's foreign policy? If he's constrained by a Democrat surge at home will he take more action abroad?
Also in the programme: seven passenger planes across Europe have been inspected following a series of suspected bomb threats. And if you've followed government advice to stock your cupboards for an emergency - a chef tells us how to make a tasty meal out of only canned food.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has scrapped plans to make foreign care workers already in the UK wait 15 years to qualify for permanent settlement. We hear from the home secretary, a worker from Nepal who’s now facing an uncertain future, and Labour MP Rachael Maskell – who thinks the plans are unfair.
Also in the programme: James Coomarasamy reports on one Republican incumbent’s attempts to show independence from President Trump as campaigning draws to a close ahead of US midterm elections tomorrow. And novelist Hanif Kureishi discusses his latest book, written after an accident meant he’s lost the use of most of his body.

James Coomarasamy reports from Pennsylvania as Rust Belt voters focus on the economy. Midterm elections are often viewed as a referendum on the party in power – so what verdict might next week’s deliver? James speaks to workers, Republicans and Democrats ahead of votes that will determine who controls Congress during Donald Trump’s last two years in power.
Also in the programme: Cryptocurrency giant Binance attempts to recover $6.3bn stolen in a hack linked to North Korea. And we visit the British Library’s new exhibition ‘Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery’.

This evening, the death has been announced of the actor Sir Patrick Stewart. We reflect on Sir Patrick's career, which spanned Shakespeare and Star Trek, and hear from his co-star in the science fiction series, Wil Wheaton.
Also on the programme: Spanish authorities are working to identify victims from yesterday's train crash near Madrid, which killed at least 69 people; and
we'll hear about the offshore workers using weight-loss jabs to comply with new rules to ensure they can be safely evacuated.