[00:00.01]Barack Obama is to become the next president of the United States, the 44th to hold the office and the first black president.
[00:07.33]In a victory speech to hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago, Mr Obama said the American people face some of their most serious challenges in 100 years.
[00:16.36]In the congressional elections, which coincided with the presidential poll, the Democrats consolidated their control of both houses of Congress.
[00:24.01]As Rajini Vaidyanathan reports from Washington, it's the Democrats' first clear victory in such elections for 40 years.
[00:31.09]In the Senate, the party made some key gains, including defeating Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina, a seat the Republicans had held for 35 years.
[00:41.47]But, it looks like the Democrats have failed to reach the magic number of 60 senators, which would have made it easier for them to pass bills without being blocked.
[00:51.66]The Democrats' increased majority will however allow the party to exercise more control.
[00:57.20]The same can be said for their position in the House of Representatives.
[01:01.43]Projections there suggest the party could increase its number of seats by as many as 20.