Democrats Win Congress; Russian Strike Kills 40 in Ukraine

Democrats won control of both houses of the US Congress in the midterm elections. They flipped seats in Republican strongholds. Races in Mississippi and Alaska are still too close to call. House Speaker Mike Johnson told staff he will not seek to stay on as Republican leader.

President Trump said the Iran war largely caused the Republican defeat. He also said he had to launch it. Vice President JD Vance had earlier blamed the war for the losses. The US and Israel began the war in February, and fuel prices have risen since.

In Ukraine, a Russian strike on an aid site in Komyshuvakha, in the Zaporizhzhia region, killed at least 40 people. Dozens may still be under rubble. Bodycam footage appears to show a second strike hitting as rescuers arrived. President Zelensky renewed his call for air defenses.

The US vote

The election produced several firsts. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers to become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. He is 42 and a doctor.

In Texas, James Talarico won the Senate seat. It is the first Democratic Senate win there since 1988. Gina Hinojosa won the governorship.

Elsewhere, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Deb Haaland made history. Bottoms became Georgia's first Black woman governor. Haaland became the first Native American woman elected governor.

Voters also acted on technology. They approved nearly every data center moratorium on the ballot, dozens in total. Data centers use large amounts of power and water, which has drawn local opposition. Investors say the AI boom could slow.

Iran and the Gulf

The US Treasury issued new sanctions against people and firms it says help Iran. Targets include Indian and Turkish firms and two people accused of supplying air defense systems. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, "you are either with us or against us."

South Korea will send a military mission near the Strait of Hormuz. It will include maritime patrol aircraft and a mine-clearing team. Its defense ministry announced the plan. Tankers have reported mine hits in the strait.

The strait carries much of the world's liquefied natural gas. The African Energy Chamber projects African LNG exports will rise 175% as buyers move away from Hormuz. Asian spot prices have tripled this year.

Talks and tensions

Melania Trump will host Russian and Ukrainian delegates at the White House on Nov. 5. Russia is sending ombudsman Yana Lantratova and envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Zelensky gave Melania Trump an honor for a humanitarian mission.

In Israel, President Isaac Herzog began talks on forming a government. The election commission found no fraud after an audit. That rejected claims by Netanyahu's camp. Netanyahu and his allies lost their majority in the Oct. 27 vote.

Separately, Trump said the US will end annual military aid to Israel, about $3.8 billion, by year-end. Israeli officials expressed confusion.

North Korea said it test-fired an air defense system and a long-range cruise missile. Kim Yo-jong rejected US dialogue.

In Africa, Ethiopia ordered six Sudanese diplomats out within 48 hours and told a consulate to close. Sudan accuses Addis Ababa of backing the RSF, a paramilitary force fighting its army.

Pressure on governments

Spain's transport minister, Óscar Puente, resigned six days after a collision near Toledo that killed at least 69.

In Indonesia, police named former police chief Listyo Sigit a suspect in the wiretapping of the president. Troops were deployed to Jakarta.

In Paraguay, the central bank took over Ueno Bank and froze deposits. Its solvency had fallen below half the legal minimum. Lawmakers filed impeachment charges against President Peña.

South Africans voted in local elections. The ANC faces anger over water outages and power cuts. It is expected to win under a third of the vote.

The economy

Markets rose after the Democratic win ended election uncertainty. US stocks had their best day since April 2025. The S&P 500 gained 1.58%, and the Euro Stoxx 50 rose 1.97%. Gold rose above $4,000 an ounce, and the dollar weakened.

Brent crude fell to about $94 a barrel, its lowest since early September. Traders bet on a possible US-Iran settlement. Cheaper oil could ease fuel costs.

Inflation still weighs on borrowers. Euro zone inflation reached 4%, its highest in three years. Energy prices rose more than 20% in October. Australia's central bank raised its rate to 4.85%, the highest since 2008. Analysts expect the Bank of England to raise rates from 3.75% to 4%.

Tech stocks were weaker in Asia. Japan's Nikkei fell as much as 4.8% as chip and AI shares dropped more than 13%.

What went right

The FDA approved a low-cost version of a twice-yearly HIV prevention shot. Lower prices may widen access.

In Congo, the WHO approved trials of two vaccines for the Bundibugyo virus during an Ebola outbreak. Vaccines could help control its spread.

Novo Nordisk raised its outlook after sales of its Wegovy pill topped estimates.

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This report was written from One Turn's edition of November 4, 2026: 73 stories chosen from 863 headlines. Read every story of the day, each with its sources, or see the day on the globe.