Several high-profile state and local elections on Tuesday marked the first major litmus test of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term—and Democrats won big. From gubernatorial races to mayoral elections, Democrats swept their Republican opponents by campaigning on an anti-Trump platform that prioritized lowering high costs of living, improving public schools, investing in local infrastructure, and hiking taxes on the ultra-wealthy.

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at the big winners and losers of state and local U.S. elections , the European Union ’s weakened emissions reduction target, and a devastating typhoon in the Philippines .

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at the big winners and losers of state and local U.S. elections, the European Union’s weakened emissions reduction target, and a devastating typhoon in the Philippines.

Sign up to receive World Brief in your inbox every weekday.

The Blue Wave

Several high-profile state and local elections on Tuesday marked the first major litmus test of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term—and Democrats won big. From gubernatorial races to mayoral elections, Democrats swept their Republican opponents by campaigning on an anti-Trump platform that prioritized lowering high costs of living, improving public schools, investing in local in