Nov 15, 2026, 05:30 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump has publicly cast doubt on the fairness of the recent midterm election results via posts on social media, despite earlier commitments to accept the outcome. The move follows significant victories by the Democratic Party in Congress, which former US diplomat George Kent attributed to widespread voter unhappiness with the administration's policy trajectory.

In response to the Democratic gains, Trump directed the Department of Justice to launch an inquiry into Democratic lawmakers, alleging they engaged in illegal pressure tactics by threatening officials with impeachment.

Meanwhile, during a television interview with CBS, Trump defended his foreign policy record regarding Moscow. Addressing the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, he asserted that a post-war Ukraine would ultimately assume a "slightly different shape."

Sources: NV, Point, The Insider, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Sunday targeting the Al-Riffa helicopter base in Bahrain. According to Iranian military statements, six unmanned aerial vehicles were deployed in the operation against the site, which hosts US military facilities. However, Bahraini authorities stated that all incoming drones were successfully intercepted before reaching their intended targets.

Separately, in Yemen, the Iran-aligned Houthi movement unilaterally released 600 pro-government fighters in Sanaa. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the operation, which Houthi officials described as their largest prisoner pardon to date.

Sources: Le Figaro, Libération, RTBF Info

Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine face significant hurdles as Moscow reiterates its core demands. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia's negotiation position remains grounded in conditions outlined by President Vladimir Putin in June 2024, which require Ukrainian troop withdrawals from four annexed regions and a commitment to military neutrality.

Reports following trilateral discussions involving US mediators suggest Moscow continues to press for recognition of occupied territories, demilitarisation of Ukrainian port cities, and broader revisions to Europe's security architecture. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that these demands could affect Nordic nations like Sweden and Finland. Meanwhile, Former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov urged Western nations to maintain a firm stance against the Kremlin. On the ground, intensive hostilities persist, with both sides reporting heavy drone attacks overnight.

Sources: 8 Sidor, Dagens Industri, Dagens Nyheter, Svenska Dagbladet, Sydsvenskan

Turkey's main opposition YENİ Party held its inaugural convention in Ankara, where Özgür Özel was re-elected as party chairman. Running as the sole candidate, Özel secured 1,154 valid votes out of 1,157 cast by registered delegates. Held under the banner "Turkey is Renewing," the two-day event focused on choosing members for the party's 160-seat Party Assembly and High Disciplinary Board, alongside expected shifts in the Central Executive Board.

Concurrently, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli reiterated his support for the "Terror-Free Turkey" initiative. In statements to Türkgün newspaper, Bahçeli framed the strategy as an essential political step integral to building the "Turkish and Turkey Century" amid regional security pressures.

Sources: Anadolu Ajansı (Anadolu Agency), Bianet, Cumhuriyet, Daily Sabah

Hungary's Ministry of Education and Children's Affairs has announced it will file a criminal complaint regarding suspected official misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, and budget fraud involving the Tempus Public Foundation. An internal audit identified over 1.1 billion HUF in problematic public expenditure linked to the foundation's past financial management. According to the ministry, a significant portion of the irregular payments originated during the period overseen by the former Ministry of Culture and Innovation.

Separately, coverage continues regarding the recent resignation of Semmelweis University rector Béla Merkely. Reports confirmed that Merkely participated in a private hunting trip in Uganda prior to official events for an 800 million HUF hospital development project, accompanied by a business partner whose company was contracted for the initiative. Merkely maintained the excursion was funded at his own expense.

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex.