Polls closed across the United States in midterm elections, with Democrats projected to win control of the House and Jon Ossoff projected to hold his Georgia Senate seat. Russian bombs killed at least 31 people at an aid center in southern Ukraine. The US struck Iran's Qeshm Island while Qatar worked on an interim deal. The FDA approved a generic twice-yearly HIV prevention shot, expected to cost about $40 a year in 120 poorer countries.
World mood: Uneasy · 102 stories from 879 headlines
Polls closed in waves across the US on Tuesday night as counting began in the midterm elections. Democrat Jon Ossoff was projected to hold his Georgia Senate seat, according to Decision Desk HQ.
The Guardian reported Democrats looked poised to win the House. Control of the Senate remained uncertain, with a handful of races deciding it. More than 58 million people voted early.
Why it matters: The results decide whether President Trump faces a Congress controlled by the opposition for his last two years in office.
All 435 House seats, 35 of 100 Senate seats and 36 governorships were up for election. Republicans currently control both chambers. Polls showed voter concern about living costs and disapproval of the president.
Iran called the US response to its peace proposal insufficient after US strikes on Qeshm Island. Qatar said it was working toward an interim deal to prevent a return to war.
US officials described the strikes as limited and defensive, after Iranian missiles fired at a US aircraft. Iran said a plan for maximum deterrence was ready against any new attack.
Why it matters: Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and global oil prices depend on whether the US-Iran war resumes.
The US and Iran have been at war since February 2026, with a ceasefire agreed since. Qatar is mediating between the two sides.
Rescuers searched rubble in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region, after a Russian strike on an aid center. Officials said at least 31 people died, and some reports put the toll at 33 or higher.
Kyiv said at least nine heavy aerial bombs hit the school building used as shelter. President Zelensky said dozens could still be trapped.
Why it matters: Strikes on civilian aid sites raise pressure on Western governments and the planned peace talks.
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Both sides deny targeting civilians while Ukraine says Russia repeatedly hits civilian sites.
Russia fired drones and missiles at Ukrainian energy sites overnight. Kyiv lost water supply and several regions lost power.
Zelensky said Russia launched 289 drones, 17 ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles. German Chancellor Merz urged Moscow to engage in talks.
Why it matters: Winter outages threaten heating and water for millions of Ukrainians.
Russia has attacked Ukraine's energy system as winter approaches in previous years of the war.
The Kremlin confirmed talks with Ukraine and the US in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11. Envoy Steve Witkoff announced the US would mediate.
Zelensky and Merz want Europe included. Witkoff will also meet European and NATO allies about security guarantees.
Why it matters: The talks are the main diplomatic channel to end Europe's largest war in decades.
Earlier rounds of US-mediated talks have not produced a ceasefire.
Trump said on election day that the US will end about $4 billion a year in military aid to Israel at year's end. He said he agreed it with Netanyahu.
Israeli officials said they were surprised. The current deal runs to 2028, and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said it showed Netanyahu must be replaced.
Why it matters: Israel's defense planning relies heavily on US weapons funding.
A 10-year US-Israel aid agreement began in 2019 at about $3.8 billion a year.
Binance said an engineer was invited to fake job interviews, which gave hackers access. About $6.34 billion was stolen on Oct. 29.
Binance said it replenished 98% of the assets. North Korea denied involvement, though US agencies blamed it.
Why it matters: It is the largest crypto theft recorded and tests exchange security.
The US will end duty-free trade benefits for South Africa and Rwanda from Jan. 1, 2027. The program covers more than 1,800 products.
Washington cited trade barriers and human rights concerns. South Africa said it acknowledged the announcement.
Why it matters: Exporters in both countries face tariffs and possible job losses.
AGOA gives eligible African countries duty-free access to the US market.
Brent crude fell more than $6 in morning trading to $100.80, then recovered to about $104. Hopes for talks and new strikes drove the swings.
Brent ended up 0.6% on the day.
Why it matters: Fuel and shipping costs worldwide track the Iran conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz carries a large share of the world's oil.
The FDA approved the first generic lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection. It is expected to cost about $40 a year in 120 low- and middle-income countries.
Why it matters: Cheap access could greatly cut new HIV infections in poorer countries.
Lenacapavir was the world's only twice-yearly HIV prevention shot.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente resigned after the Oct. 28 crash that killed 69 and withdrew from the Nov. 29 election.
Government adopted new rail safety measures.
Why it matters: It follows Spain's second major rail disaster this year.
Thousands of European 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 British troops could fire back if attacked by Russian forces.
Why it matters: It shows how European states plan to back any future peace deal.
European governments have discussed security guarantees for Ukraine.
Poland launched a large security operation along its Russia border. The prime minister said the fast deployment may have prevented attempted acts of provocation.
Why it matters: Heightened border security raises tension between NATO and Russia.
Poland is a NATO member bordering Russia's Kaliningrad region and Ukraine's neighbor Belarus.
Opposition parties backed Gadi Eisenkot after the Oct. 27 election left no clear majority. Official results are due Nov. 4.
Netanyahu and the attorney general traded accusations over poll fraud claims. The attorney general asked intelligence services for evidence.
Why it matters: Who forms Israel's next government will shape its war and US policy.
Netanyahu's bloc won the most seats but lost its governing majority.
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.
Why it matters: Civilians and press in the West Bank face continued military operations.
The operation followed the killing of two Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint.
Saudi forces said they intercepted a drone as the Houthis announced 17 killed in two days. Fighting intensified around Taiz.
Yemen's government accused Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah of sending 21 experts to help the Houthis. The Saudi civil defense lifted a Riyadh alert.
Why it matters: Escalation threatens Saudi territory and oil infrastructure.
The Iran-backed Houthis hold much of northern Yemen and have clashed with the government for years.
The Asian Football Confederation postponed the 2027 Asian Cup to Dec. 23, 2027 through Jan. 21, 2028. Saudi Arabia remains host.
The body cited exceptional circumstances and travel disruptions after attacks on the country.
Why it matters: The delay shows how regional conflict is disrupting global sport.
Houthi drone attacks have hit Saudi Arabia during the regional conflict.
The Supreme Court refused Trump's request to stop California counting about 20,000 disputed ballots. The administration claimed they included non-citizens.
The ruling essentially ends the bid to disqualify them.
Why it matters: California's votes will be counted in full for control of Congress.
The administration had questioned the eligibility of voters on a list.
Hackers raised freezer temperatures in supermarkets in about 10 countries. Stores discarded food.
UK food suppliers were also hit, though experts said the impact was minimal. Experts blamed outdated technology and weak passwords.
Why it matters: It shows how connected appliances can be attacked, costing retailers food and money.
A similar incident hit a French supermarket weeks earlier.
The RBA raised its benchmark rate by 0.25 points to 4.85%, the highest since 2008. It cited persistent inflation and higher energy costs linked to the Iran war.
Why it matters: Higher rates raise mortgage costs for Australian households.
Aramco published third-quarter results on Nov. 3, and began early engineering on expanding its East-West pipeline. The pipeline carries oil across Saudi Arabia.
OilPrice said higher prices do not solve Aramco's biggest problems.
Why it matters: Pipeline capacity affects how oil can bypass Hormuz.
The IEA said gas markets could stay tight into 2027. Europe's storage is the lowest in over a decade for this point.
Egypt's LNG import bill has doubled because of the Iran war.
Why it matters: Households and industry face higher heating and power costs.
Gas flows from the Gulf have been disrupted by the war.
German supplier Schaeffler will close five plants across Europe and cut 3,460 jobs. It aims to compete with China on cost and expand into defense and robotics.
Why it matters: It adds to job losses in Germany's car industry.
European carmakers and suppliers face Chinese competition.
Meta seeks to raise $20 billion to $25 billion in bonds for AI spending. Drax unveiled £20 billion data center plans in North Yorkshire.
AMD jumped 8% on earnings as data center revenue nearly doubled.
Why it matters: The AI build-out is drawing huge debt and power demand.
Tech firms are spending heavily on AI infrastructure.
Investigators found crucial plane parts about three miles from the Florida crash site. The NTSB said they fell off before impact.
Nine people died, including a Texas family of four.
Why it matters: The finding points investigators to an in-flight failure.
Peru declared a 60-day emergency across much of the country over risk of heavy rain, floods and landslides. Regional governments lacked capacity to respond.
Why it matters: Floods could hit millions and farm output across the Andes.
The Indian Navy rescued all 20 crew of an Iranian fishing vessel hijacked off Somalia after 48 hours. It used a warship, aircraft and marine commandos.
Why it matters: It shows Somali piracy is rising again.
King Charles told Commonwealth leaders in Antigua slavery was a shameful chapter and monstrous injustice. He did not apologize or back reparations.
PM Andy Burnham said he was open to a formal apology.
Why it matters: Caribbean states are pressing Britain for reparations.
A child died of measles in New York, the first such death there in 30 years.
A Washington state resident died of bird flu, the first US death in a year.
Why it matters: Falling vaccination and animal outbreaks pose rising risks.
Russia struck Kharkiv overnight with ballistic missiles and guided bombs. Mayor Ihor Terekhov said a hospital was damaged.
More than 60 people were hurt. Over 200 patients were evacuated.
Why it matters: Attacks on medical sites strain Ukraine's health system as winter nears.
Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, lies near the Russian border and has been hit repeatedly since 2022.
Emergency alert apps in both countries were hacked. Users got false warnings of nuclear and chemical attacks.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine hacked Russia's system in response.
Why it matters: False alarms can cause panic and erode trust in warning systems.
Both sides have used cyberattacks throughout the war.
Seven flights received bomb threats, causing searches, diversions and a brief closure of a Warsaw airport. No explosives were found.
A cruise ship was also threatened.
Why it matters: The hoaxes disrupted travel across several countries.
Officials said it was unclear if the threats were linked.
Spanish author Cristina Fernández Cubas has been awarded the Cervantes Prize, the top honor for Spanish-language literature. The award is given each year for a lifetime of work.
Europe's Hera spacecraft has photographed two asteroids involved in NASA's 2022 test that crashed a spacecraft into one. These are its first clear images of them.
Midfielder Aleksey Batrakov scored both goals in Galatasaray's 2-0 Champions League win over Stuttgart. He is the first Russian to score twice in a Champions League match in 11 years.
Japan held a ceremony for the recipients of the Order of Culture. The eight awardees include Nobel laureate Kenso Soai and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo.
Donald Trump gave each Artemis II crew member a Congressional Space Medal of Honor after their return to Earth. Commander Reid Wiseman spoke about the mission's legacy.
DNA from Europeans who lived more than 30,000 years ago shows they were linked across long distances. The finding challenges earlier ideas about these groups.
A study found that fewer than one in five people with symptoms in several body systems improved for good within three years. Recovery differed sharply by symptom type.
Greenpeace dropped nine large rocks off a coast to create a barrier against bottom-trawling fishing boats. The group says the rocks will disrupt deep fishing.
Markets followed Iran headlines and the US midterms. Brent crude briefly dropped over $6 on peace hopes, then rebounded, ending up 0.6% at $104.22. The S&P 500 rose 0.36%, while the FTSE 100 fell 1.14% and the Nikkei 1.16%. India's Sensex gained 1.62%.
Oil swings on Iran
Oil fell on peace hopes, then rebounded after US strikes and Iran's rejection. Higher fuel costs squeeze airlines and households.
Rates and inflation
Australia raised rates to 4.85% on energy-driven inflation. The US 10-year yield rose 1.19% to 4.952%.
Election day and AI stocks
US stocks edged higher before results. AMD jumped on AI chip demand and Meta planned a large bond sale.
Jobs and trade
Schaeffler, Disney and Canva announced cuts, and South Africa and Rwanda lose AGOA trade benefits.
One Turn
