Nov 5, 2026, 04:30 AM UTC

Democrats have secured full control of the United States Congress after winning majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate during the midterm elections. Democratic victories across traditional Republican strongholds defeated several candidates endorsed by President Donald Trump.

The shift in legislative power presents significant obstacles to President Trump's second-term domestic agenda and opens the door to potential congressional investigations into his administration. Observers noted that the election outcome served as a direct public referendum on Trump's presidency. While early projections had indicated a close race for the Senate, final tallies confirmed Democratic majorities in both chambers.

Sources: BBC News, France24, The Guardian, The Journal, The Scotsman

US Vice President JD Vance has publicly attributed the Republican Party's defeat in the midterm elections to the war with Iran and Washington's relationship with Israel. In a statement published on X, Vance stated, "The reason we lost is the war," adding that strategic discussions moving forward must address voter frustration over Middle Eastern military entanglements.

The midterm results delivered control of Congress to Democrats and highlighted deepening policy debates within the Republican leadership. Vance's remarks were widely viewed as a move to distance himself from President Donald Trump's foreign policy stance ahead of a prospective 2028 presidential campaign. Analysts noted that the vice president's comments could also complicate White House deliberations on whether to resume major combat operations against Iran.

Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Cyprus Mail, Daily Sabah, ORF.

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong has received a 10-year prison sentence following his conviction for colluding with foreign forces under the territory's national security law.

Wong gained international prominence as a key figure during Hong Kong's mass pro-democracy demonstrations. The national security legislation, introduced by Beijing in 2020 in response to widespread anti-government protests, targets acts defined as subversion, secession, terrorism, and collusion with foreign entities. Wong is among hundreds of political campaigners, opposition figures, and residents who have been arrested or prosecuted under the sweeping security powers since they took effect.

Sources: BBC News.

An influx of unusually severe tempests driven by the El Niño pattern has impacted East Asia in recent months, causing significant damage and dozens of fatalities. Coastal regions in the Philippines, Taiwan, China, and Japan have experienced heightened storm activity linked to elevated sea surface temperatures across the Pacific. While annual cyclone seasons regularly affect the area, meteorologists report that recent meteorological events have proven particularly volatile. Emergency measures and disruptions to daily routines have been reported across multiple affected territories as weather systems continue to develop.

Sources: BBC News.