President Barack Obama’s Democrats narrowly retained their Senate majority, losing at least six seats but beating tough challenges in key states like Nevada, West Virginia and California.

DISENCHANTED voters in both parties turned against the establishment, choosing a conservative “Tea Party” newcomer over a handpicked Republican favourite and dumping veteran Democratic Senator Arlen Specter ahead of November’s midterm elections.

A lengthy US senate investigation has debunked claims by a Republican congressman that military analysts identified Mohamed Atta and other September 11 hijackers before the attacks.