Democrats take control of US Congress

Ahead of tomorrow's election, New Zealand's political leaders have been making final pitches to an electorate described by analysts as both anxious and sour.

After almost two centuries in business, Australian retailer, David Jones has gone into voluntary administration. 

It's been a bruising midterm election for Republicans in the US, with the Democrats winning back a majority in the House of Representatives and taking control of the Senate.

The Reserve Bank has raised interest rates to their highest level in 18 years.

It's an anxious wait for home borrowers tonight with Australia's central bank poised to raise interest rates tomorrow for the fifth time this year.

Victoria's highest court has removed the possibility of parole for jailed triple murderer Erin Patterson after rejecting Patterson's appeal against her convictions for killing her relatives with a Beef Wellington meal laced with death cap mushrooms.

Another day of counting in Israel has not brought clarity on who will form the next government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc still has the most seats ahead of the opposition bloc led by the Yashar party's Gadi Eisenkot but neither seems willing to work with Arab parties.

Israel's next prime minister is yet to be decided as exit polls from the country's most contentious election in decades indicate a near neck-and-neck race between the leading blocs.

The polls have opened in Israel's election with Benjamim Netanyahu facing a strong challenge from former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot, whose Yashar party was polling slightly ahead of Netanyahu's Likud going into election day.

It's been an emotional day in parliament as it returned for the first time since the member for Indi, Helen Haines was struck by a car outside her Victorian electorate office last Monday.