US Midterm Votes Counted; Russian Bombs Kill 31 in Ukraine

Polls closed in waves across the United States on Tuesday night, and counting began in the midterm elections. Decision Desk HQ, which projects results, said Democrat Jon Ossoff would hold his Georgia Senate seat. The Guardian reported that Democrats looked poised to win the House. Control of the Senate stayed uncertain, with a handful of races deciding it. More than 58 million people voted early.

All 435 House seats, 35 of 100 Senate seats and 36 governorships were up for election. Republicans currently control both chambers. The result decides whether President Trump faces an opposition-controlled Congress for his last two years in office.

In southern Ukraine, rescuers searched rubble after a Russian strike on an aid center in Komyshuvakha, in the Zaporizhzhia region. Officials said at least 31 people died. Some reports put the toll at 33 or higher. Kyiv said at least nine heavy aerial bombs hit a school building used as shelter. President Zelensky said dozens could still be trapped. Russia and Ukraine both deny targeting civilians, while Ukraine says Russia repeatedly hits civilian sites.

Iran called the US response to its peace proposal insufficient after US strikes on Qeshm Island. US officials described the strikes as limited and defensive, and said they followed Iranian missile fire at a US aircraft. Iran said a plan for maximum deterrence was ready against any new attack. Qatar said it was working toward an interim deal to prevent a return to war. The US and Iran have been at war since February 2026, with a ceasefire agreed since.

Ukraine and Russia

Russia also hit Ukraine's energy system. It fired drones and missiles at power sites overnight. Kyiv lost its water supply, and several regions lost electricity. Zelensky said Russia launched 289 drones, 17 ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Moscow to engage in talks.

Talks are planned. The Kremlin confirmed that Russia, Ukraine and the US will meet in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11. US envoy Steve Witkoff said the US would mediate. Zelensky and Merz want Europe included. Witkoff will also meet European and NATO allies about security guarantees. Earlier US-mediated rounds did not produce a ceasefire.

Europe is preparing for what might follow a deal. Thousands of troops will rehearse a deployment to Ukraine in case of peace. Western officials said the force would not take part in offensive operations. Sky News reported that British troops could fire back if attacked by Russian forces.

Poland, a NATO member, launched a security operation on its Russia border. The prime minister said the fast deployment may have prevented attempted acts of provocation.

Israel and the Middle East

President Trump said the US will end military aid to Israel at the end of the year. The aid is about $4 billion a year. He said he agreed it with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Israeli officials said they were surprised. The current deal runs to 2028. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said it showed Netanyahu must be replaced.

Israel's own politics are unsettled. Opposition parties backed Eisenkot after the Oct. 27 election left no clear majority. Netanyahu's bloc won the most seats but lost its governing majority. Netanyahu and the attorney general traded accusations over poll fraud claims. The attorney general asked intelligence services for evidence. Official results are due Nov. 4.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces withdrew from areas around Hebron after a multi-day operation, and families returned home. Al Jazeera journalist Montaser Nassar was detained in raids near the city. The operation followed the killing of two Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint.

In Yemen, Saudi forces said they intercepted a drone, and the Houthis announced 17 killed in two days. Fighting grew around Taiz. Yemen's government accused Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah of sending 21 experts to help the Houthis. Saudi Arabia's Asian Cup was also affected: the football body postponed the tournament to Dec. 23, 2027, citing exceptional circumstances and travel disruptions after attacks on the country.

Disasters and accidents

Spain's transport minister, Óscar Puente, resigned after the Oct. 28 train crash near Toledo that killed 69. He also withdrew from the Nov. 29 election. The government adopted new rail safety measures.

In Florida, investigators found crucial parts about three miles from the jet crash site. The NTSB said they fell off before impact. Nine people died, including a Texas family of four.

Peru declared a 60-day emergency across much of the country over risk of heavy rain, floods and landslides from El Niño. Regional governments lacked capacity to respond.

Technology and security

Binance said hackers got in after an engineer was invited to fake job interviews. About $6.34 billion was stolen on Oct. 29. Binance said it replenished 98% of the assets. US agencies blamed North Korea, which denied involvement.

Hackers also raised freezer temperatures in supermarkets in about 10 countries, and stores discarded food. Experts blamed outdated technology and weak passwords.

The economy

Oil followed the Iran news. Brent crude fell more than $6 on hopes for peace talks, then rebounded after the US strikes and Iran's rejection. It ended up 0.6% at $104.22. Higher fuel costs squeeze airlines and households.

The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its rate to 4.85%, the highest since 2008. It cited stubborn inflation and energy costs linked to the Iran war. Europe also faces low gas storage going into winter. The US stock index S&P 500 rose 0.36%, while the FTSE 100 fell 1.14%.

On jobs and trade, Schaeffler will cut 3,460 jobs and close five plants. The US will also end duty-free trade benefits for South Africa and Rwanda from Jan. 1, 2027.

What went right

The FDA approved the first generic twice-yearly HIV prevention shot. It is expected to cost about $40 a year in 120 low- and middle-income countries.

The Supreme Court refused to stop California from counting about 20,000 disputed ballots. The ruling essentially ends the bid to disqualify them.

British judge Dapo Akande was elected to the International Court of Justice, the UN's top court.

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This report was written from One Turn's edition of November 3, 2026: 63 stories chosen from 879 headlines. Read every story of the day, each with its sources, or see the day on the globe.