01
Must Know
Democrats win House and Senate, ending Republican control of Congress; Trump accepts result
Ongoing · day 2 ↗
Democrats gained a majority in the US House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, with all 435 seats on the ballot. Voters punished Trump over inflation, corruption and rising healthcare costs, and US annual inflation reached 3.7%, driven by food prices and higher fuel costs. Trump said he lost ground because he was not on the ballot, and suggested he would have won by a landslide had he been a candidate.
Why it mattersTrump says he will veto Democratic bills, so the new majority's main tools are subpoenas, confirmation votes and spending leverage, which makes investigations, including of Trump's alleged corruption, the likely focus once the new Congress is sworn in in January.
5 reports · 5 outlets · 2 left · 1 center · 2 right
Lean left
- Al Jazeera — Backs: Democrats won both House and Senate; Senate flips in MI, TX, IA, KS, NC, SC, OH per Guardian; Democrats' tools: subpoenas, confirmation votes, spending; New Congress sworn in January
- The Guardian — Backs: Democrats won both House and Senate; Trump accepts result; Senate flips in MI, TX, IA, KS, NC, SC, OH per Guardian
Centre
- France 24 — Backs: Democrats won both House and Senate; Trump accepts result; Trump said Iran war played a role; Trump warned he would veto Democratic legislation; Voters cited prices, Iran war, corruption; New Congress sworn in January; Jeffries vows to go after corruption
Lean right
- Straits Times — Backs: Democrats won both House and Senate; Trump accepts result; Trump said Iran war played a role; Trump warned he would veto Democratic legislation; Voters cited prices, Iran war, corruption
- Globe and Mail — Backs: Voters cited prices, Iran war, corruption
FT invites readers to question columnists on how US midterm results change politics
The Financial Times is taking reader questions for a live Q&A with senior US columnists Edward Luce and Rana Foroohar on how the midterm election results will change US politics. The session is on Friday, Nov. 6, at 1pm ET (6pm GMT).
Why it mattersHeld on Friday Nov. 6, after voting ends, the session will address actual results rather than pre-election forecasts.
1 report · 1 outlet · 1 center
Centre
- Financial Times — Backs: FT Q&A with columnists on midterm results; Edward Luce and Rana Foroohar; Friday Nov. 6, 1pm ET / 6pm GMT; Held Friday Nov. 6
Trump says Iran war cost Republicans votes but holds off on strikes; Tehran's negotiator says Americans voted 'no to war'
Ongoing · day 7 ↗
President Trump told the Financial Times that the United States has no immediate plans to strike Iran. Democrats flipped both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections, so Trump's Republicans will no longer control Congress. Trump acknowledged that the Iran war was a factor in Republican defeats in battleground races from Kansas to South Carolina.
Why it mattersThe midterm loss removes Trump's stated post-election window for renewed war from a position of political strength, yet analysts say any deal needs the backing of IRGC-linked security figures who now hold more sway, and some Iranian clerics are urging a nuclear deterrent, so a pause may not produce a settlement.
How reporting variesAl Jazeera: Focuses on Iran's internal power balance: the IRGC and security officials now carry more weight, and Vance's letter went to security chief Mohsen Rezaei, not negotiator Ghalibaf.
Deutsche Welle: Analysts say the midterms may not change Iran policy much because Washington's elite is less divided on Iran than it appears.
7 reports · 7 outlets · 3 left · 4 center
Lean left
- Al Jazeera — Backs: Trump does not regret February attack with Israel; Any deal needs security-military establishment backing; IRGC gained sway
- NYT World — Backs: Some Iranian clerics urge nuclear deterrent
- Deutsche Welle — Backs: Trump does not regret February attack with Israel
Centre
- BBC World — Backs: Trump says Iran war partly cost Republicans votes; Iran's chief negotiator says Americans said no to war; Trump: 'a part of it was Iran' plus petrol prices; Trump does not regret February attack with Israel; 'Locked and loaded if we need to go'; Ghalibaf: Americans 'said NO TO WAR'; warns of 'Nightmare'; Trump warned of return to all-out war after midterms
- Reuters · wire — Backs: No immediate plans to strike Iran; FT: 'We seem to be getting everything we want'
- Al-Monitor · Lean left
- France 24 — Backs: Iran's chief negotiator says Americans said no to war; Ghalibaf: Americans 'said NO TO WAR'; warns of 'Nightmare'
- Financial Times — Backs: Trump says Iran war partly cost Republicans votes; Trump: 'a part of it was Iran' plus petrol prices
Trump says US will end $3.8bn in annual military aid to Israel by year-end, with no details
President Donald Trump said on election day that the US will stop its roughly $4 billion in yearly funding to Israel at the end of 2026, saying he had made a deal with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "months ago". He gave no details on how. The current 10-year memorandum providing $3.8 billion a year does not expire until September 2028, and the US and Israel had discussed phasing out grants over years. Neither the White House nor Netanyahu's office commented to Reuters; Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said Israel's defence establishment learned of the change through the media.
Why it mattersTrump framed the cut partly as removing a "bad talking point" for Democrats, naming Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, yet he offered no legal mechanism for ending a deal that runs to 2028, leaving Israel's planners with a stated end date and no terms.
How reporting variesWSJ World: Stresses that the two countries had discussed phasing out grants, and that Trump's comments suggest a much faster timeline than expected.
CBC News: Notes Trump said the US will still sell weapons to Israel, and that analysts see the timing as an Election Day ploy.
7 reports · 8 outlets · 4 left · 1 center · 2 right
Lean left
- Al-Monitor — Backs: US to end $3.8bn annual military aid by year-end; Roughly $4 billion yearly; deal with Netanyahu 'months ago'; Eisenkot: defence establishment learned through media; 'Bad talking point' naming El-Sayed
- CBC News — Backs: Roughly $4 billion yearly; deal with Netanyahu 'months ago'; 10-year MOU of $3.8bn runs to September 2028; US and Israel discussed phasing out grants; Neither White House nor Netanyahu's office responded to Reuters; Eisenkot: defence establishment learned through media; 'Bad talking point' naming El-Sayed; No mechanism offered given deal runs to 2028
- SCMP World — Backs: US to end $3.8bn annual military aid by year-end; 10-year MOU of $3.8bn runs to September 2028; No mechanism offered given deal runs to 2028
- The Guardian — Backs: US to end $3.8bn annual military aid by year-end; US and Israel discussed phasing out grants; Eisenkot: defence establishment learned through media; 'Bad talking point' naming El-Sayed
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Roughly $4 billion yearly; deal with Netanyahu 'months ago'; 10-year MOU of $3.8bn runs to September 2028; US and Israel discussed phasing out grants; Neither White House nor Netanyahu's office responded to Reuters; Eisenkot: defence establishment learned through media; 'Bad talking point' naming El-Sayed; No mechanism offered given deal runs to 2028
- Republished by Daily Maverick · Centre
Lean right
- Globe and Mail — Backs: Roughly $4 billion yearly; deal with Netanyahu 'months ago'; 10-year MOU of $3.8bn runs to September 2028; US and Israel discussed phasing out grants; Neither White House nor Netanyahu's office responded to Reuters; Eisenkot: defence establishment learned through media; 'Bad talking point' naming El-Sayed; No mechanism offered given deal runs to 2028
- WSJ World — Backs: US to end $3.8bn annual military aid by year-end; US and Israel discussed phasing out grants
02
Should Know
Russia hits Ukraine's power grid with 365 drones and missiles a week before Abu Dhabi talks
Russia fired 289 drones, 17 ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles overnight, Zelensky said, knocking out power across swathes of Ukraine; DTEK said three of its five thermal plants went offline. On Wednesday Russia's defence ministry said it hit two more power stations, in the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions. The toll from Monday's bombing of an aid centre in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region, has risen to at least 31 dead, with dozens still missing. US-brokered talks with Russia and Ukraine are set for Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11, and German Chancellor Merz said he has seen no sign Moscow will engage seriously.
4 reports · 4 outlets · 2 left · 1 center · 1 right
Lean left
- CBC News — Backs: 365 drones and missiles (289+17+59); A week before Abu Dhabi talks; Komyshuvakha toll at least 31, dozens missing; Abu Dhabi talks Nov. 10-11
- NYT World — Backs: Komyshuvakha toll at least 31, dozens missing
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: 365 drones and missiles (289+17+59); A week before Abu Dhabi talks; DTEK: three of five thermal plants offline; Abu Dhabi talks Nov. 10-11; Merz saw no sign Russia will engage seriously
- Al-Monitor · Lean left
Lean right
- Straits Times — Backs: A week before Abu Dhabi talks; Russia hit power stations in Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions Wednesday
Israel's election committee finds no fraud, rejecting Netanyahu's claims against Arab parties
Ongoing · day 10 ↗
Israel's election commission rejected Netanyahu's allegations of fraud by Arab parties, and Ben-Gvir's claim that the election was stolen was also found to have no supporting evidence from the commission. Official results of the October 27 election are due to be released on November 4, and Netanyahu and the attorney general have traded barbs over the poll fraud allegations. President Herzog has opened consultations on forming the next government, and whoever he tasks will have 28 days to build a coalition.
5 reports · 5 outlets · 4 left · 1 right
Lean left
- Al-Monitor — Backs: Committee found no fraud, rejected Netanyahu claims; 9,069 polling stations audited; AG refused Shin Bet questioning without evidence; Likud accused her of obstructing investigation; Herzog receives results at noon, two days of consultations; Blocs 53 and 48, 61 needed, Arab parties 19; 28 days to form a government
- Der Spiegel — Backs: Committee found no fraud, rejected Netanyahu claims; AG refused Shin Bet questioning without evidence; Likud accused her of obstructing investigation
- SCMP World — Backs: Committee found no fraud, rejected Netanyahu claims; 9,069 polling stations audited; Herzog receives results at noon, two days of consultations; Blocs 53 and 48, 61 needed, Arab parties 19
- NYT World
Lean right
- Straits Times — Backs: AG refused Shin Bet questioning without evidence; Herzog receives results at noon, two days of consultations; Blocs 53 and 48, 61 needed, Arab parties 19; 28 days to form a government
Spain's transport minister Puente resigns after Toledo-area train crash that killed 69
Transport Minister Óscar Puente resigned on Tuesday, six days after a Renfe high-speed train hit a stationary Iryo train near Urda, south of Madrid. He also withdrew from the Nov. 29 early general election. He said a minister cannot stay in office after two accidents of this gravity in under a year, citing January's Adamuz crash that killed 46; Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised his decision, and one report says Sánchez has since reshuffled the Cabinet.
5 reports · 5 outlets · 2 left · 2 center · 1 right
Lean left
- Al Jazeera — Backs: Puente resigned after crash that killed 69; Resigned Tuesday, six days after crash near Urda; Renfe train hit stationary Iryo train; Withdrew from Nov. 29 election; Two accidents in under a year; Adamuz killed 46
- Der Spiegel — Backs: Puente resigned after crash that killed 69; Toledo-area crash; Resigned Tuesday, six days after crash near Urda; Renfe train hit stationary Iryo train; Withdrew from Nov. 29 election; Two accidents in under a year; Adamuz killed 46
Centre
- BBC World — Backs: Puente resigned after crash that killed 69; Resigned Tuesday, six days after crash near Urda; Renfe train hit stationary Iryo train; Withdrew from Nov. 29 election; Two accidents in under a year; Adamuz killed 46; Sánchez praised decision
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Puente resigned after crash that killed 69
Lean right
- Straits Times — Backs: Puente resigned after crash that killed 69; Resigned Tuesday, six days after crash near Urda; Renfe train hit stationary Iryo train; Withdrew from Nov. 29 election; Two accidents in under a year; Adamuz killed 46; Sánchez praised decision; Report says Sánchez reshuffled Cabinet
Eurozone inflation rises to 4% in October, fastest in three years, as energy costs climb
Eurozone consumer prices rose 4% in October, the fastest pace in three years, according to the Financial Times. Inflation rose for a fourth straight month on higher energy costs, the Wall Street Journal reported. That reinforces expectations that the ECB could raise its key interest rate again after holding it last week.
2 reports · 2 outlets · 1 center · 1 right
Centre
- Financial Times — Backs: Eurozone inflation 4% in October, fastest in three years
Lean right
- WSJ World — Backs: Energy costs climbing; Fourth straight monthly rise; ECB could hike again after holding last week
Greenland's parliament ratifies security deal with US; Denmark must still approve
Greenland's parliament in Nuuk ratified on Tuesday the security agreement struck earlier this year with US President Donald Trump, although some opposition members questioned the deal's value. The pact can take effect only if the government in Denmark also agrees, according to Der Spiegel.
3 reports · 3 outlets · 2 left · 1 center
Lean left
- SCMP World — Backs: Greenland parliament ratified US security deal; Ratified Tuesday; opposition questioned value
- Der Spiegel — Backs: Greenland parliament ratified US security deal; Ratified Tuesday; opposition questioned value; Takes effect only if Denmark agrees, per Der Spiegel; Parliament in Nuuk
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Greenland parliament ratified US security deal
Lecornu explores ruling by decree on 2027 budget as Assembly debate stalls
Ongoing · day 2 ↗
Le Monde reports that Sébastien Lecornu is exploring the use of ordonnances to put the 2027 budget in place, as the National Assembly is about to reject the revenue part of the finance bill. The government is suspected of letting the debate drift so it can implement its original text.
1 report · 1 outlet · 1 left
Lean left
- Le Monde — Backs: Lecornu explores ordonnances for 2027 budget; Assembly about to reject revenue part of finance bill; Government suspected of letting debate drift
EU court adviser says Google's Gemini chatbot may infringe publishers' copyright
Advocate General Maciej Szpunar told the EU's top court that a chatbot like Gemini can infringe a press publisher's rights when it reuses articles to answer queries, for example by getting around paywalls or reusing an article's form of expression in a recognisable way. He said using copyrighted material to train AI models is freely permitted under the text and data mining exception. The court usually follows its advisers' non-binding opinions and will rule in the coming months. Hungarian site operator Like Company brought the case.
1 report · 2 outlets · 1 center
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Advocate General says Gemini may infringe publishers' rights; Szpunar: paywall circumvention or recognisable form of expression; AI training freely permitted under text and data mining exception; Court usually follows non-binding opinions, rules in coming months; Like Company is Hungarian site operator
- Republished by Daily Maverick · Centre
OpenAI staff warned for years of operational security lapses, Reuters reports
OpenAI employees warned for years about lapses in operational security, according to sources cited by Reuters.
1 report · 1 outlet · 1 center
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: OpenAI employees warned of security lapses for years; Per sources cited by Reuters
US helped Venezuela carry out deadly drone strike on drug group, officials say
The United States assisted Venezuela in a drone strike on a drug-trafficking group that killed about two dozen people, according to a rights group cited by The New York Times. Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is starting talks on a legal agreement that would let U.S. troops stay in Venezuela. The two countries have long been adversaries, and the U.S. attacked Venezuela earlier this year. The Wall Street Journal reports Caracas, which sheltered rebels for decades, now cooperates with Washington on attacking them.
2 reports · 2 outlets · 1 left · 1 right
Lean left
- NYT World — Backs: US assisted Venezuela in deadly drone strike; About two dozen killed per rights group; Rubio starting talks on agreement for US troops to stay; Long adversaries; US attacked Venezuela this year
Lean right
- WSJ World — Backs: US assisted Venezuela in deadly drone strike; WSJ: Caracas sheltered rebels, now cooperates
AI bond sales may raise borrowing costs for France, Germany and Italy, analysts warn
US tech giants are competing with European governments and firms for bond investors' cash, according to Deutsche Welle. Amazon, Alphabet, Meta and Oracle have issued about $250 billion in dollar bonds since early 2025 and €37 billion in euros, and Microsoft has sold $25 billion. Goldman Sachs projects $420 billion of new hyperscaler bond sales next year; ING expects about €60 billion in euros. French 10-year yields have climbed from roughly 3.7% to nearly 5% in six months, and the ECB's economists warned in August of possible spillover to government bond markets.
1 report · 1 outlet · 1 left
Lean left
- Deutsche Welle — Backs: AI bond sales may raise borrowing costs for France, Germany, Italy; About $250bn dollar bonds since early 2025, €37bn in euros; Microsoft $25bn bond sale; Goldman $420bn next year; ING about €60bn; French 10-year yields roughly 3.7% to nearly 5% in six months; ECB economists warned in August of spillover