Today’s desk

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 edition: 65 stories with labeled sources. Every brief from Wednesday, November 4, 2026 · All editions · RSS feed

Top Stories

• Democrats win control of the House and the Senate

  Democrats won control of the House in Tuesday's midterm elections, NBC News projects, and NBC also projects they will flip the Senate. Fox News reports Democrats reclaimed power in the Senate as the party won races deep in Trump country. The results end Republican control of Congress when the new session begins in January.

• Talarico beats Paxton to win the Texas Senate race

  Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race on Tuesday, Fox News and the BBC report. The BBC says it is the first time a Democrat has won a Senate seat in Texas since 1988. Fox says Trump's backing of Paxton over Senator John Cornyn backfired.

• Trump says military aid to Israel will end this year

  President Donald Trump says the country will stop its yearly military aid to Israel at the end of this year, NBC News, CNN and the New York Post report. Trump said the plan was a deal he made with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu's office declined to comment, NBC reports.

• Trump says Republicans lost because he was not on the ballot

  President Donald Trump says Republicans would have won Tuesday's midterm elections if he had been on the ballot, Axios reports. Trump also said he will accept the results, according to Axios and CNN, which cite an interview with The New York Times. He blamed Fox News for some of the losses.

• Jeffries on track to become the first Black House speaker

  House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is on a clear path to be elected House speaker in January after his party's midterm wins, CNN reports. CNBC says he will likely become the first Black speaker in congressional history. He still needs the support of a majority of his caucus.

• Democrats warn Trump officials of coming subpoenas after midterm wins

  Democrats warned the Trump administration of investigations after their midterm wins on Tuesday, The Guardian and Fox News report. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House oversight committee, posted two words on X: Lawyer up. Senator Ron Wyden posted one word: Subpoenas.

• Hoax bomb threats disrupt flights across Europe

  A wave of bomb threats hit flights across Europe on Tuesday, forcing planes to divert and an airport in Poland to briefly close, NBC News, CNN and The Guardian report. No explosive devices were found. The UK government called the threats malicious hoaxes, The Guardian says.

• NYC Marathon runner died of rare muscle condition, father says

  Rachel Apa, 24, who collapsed near the end of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, died of rhabdomyolysis, her father says, CBS News and the New York Post report. The condition is a rare breakdown of muscle tissue. The city medical examiner says no final cause of death has been set, CBS reports.

• Learjet tail pieces broke off before Florida crash, NTSB says

  Pieces of the tail of the Learjet that crashed in Palm Beach County on Sunday separated from the plane before it hit the ground, the National Transportation Safety Board says. All nine people on board were killed. The NTSB says it does not yet know what caused the jet to lose control.

Politics

• Missouri voters reject amendment that would have banned most abortions

  Missouri voters have rejected Amendment 3, a ballot measure that would have banned most abortions in the state constitution, NBC News and Just the News report. The result keeps the abortion rights voters approved in 2024. Results are still unofficial.

• Sherrod Brown projected to win back Ohio Senate seat from Jon Husted

  Democrat Sherrod Brown has beaten Republican Senator Jon Husted in Ohio, NBC News and Fox News project. Brown lost his seat two years ago and will now serve the last two years of the term JD Vance won. Results are still unofficial.

• Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race to become first Muslim senator

  Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Senate race, defeating Republican Mike Rogers, Fox News projects and The Guardian reports. He will be the first Muslim senator in US history. Results are still unofficial, and the final count has not been certified.

• Keisha Lance Bottoms projected to win Georgia governor's race

  Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms has won the race for Georgia governor, CBS News and Fox News project. She defeated Republican Rick Jackson in the race. Bottoms will be the first Black woman elected governor in the US, and results are still unofficial.

• Democrat David Crowley projected to win Wisconsin governor's race

  Democrat David Crowley has won the race for Wisconsin governor, NBC News and Fox News project. He defeated Republican congressman Tom Tiffany in the race. Crowley will be the first Black person elected governor of the state, and results are still unofficial.

• Annie Andrews defeats Darline Graham in South Carolina Senate upset

  Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Senator Darline Graham in South Carolina, Fox News, CBS News and CNN project. The pediatrician is the first Democrat to win a Senate election in the state since 1998, CBS says. Graham had President Donald Trump's backing.

• Roy Cooper flips North Carolina Senate seat for Democrats

  Former Governor Roy Cooper beat Republican Michael Whatley in the North Carolina Senate race, the Fox News Decision Desk projects, Fox and The Guardian report. Cooper will take the seat of retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis. He will be the first Democrat to hold the state's Senate seat in 10 years, The Guardian says.

• Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate seat, defeating John Sununu

  Democrat Chris Pappas defeated Republican John Sununu in the New Hampshire Senate race, the New York Post, The Guardian and CBS News report. Pappas will be the first openly gay man elected to the Senate. He keeps the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen in his party's hands.

• Adam Hamilton wins Kansas Senate seat, first Democrat since 1932

  Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated Republican Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas on Tuesday, the New York Post and The Guardian report. Hamilton is the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Kansas since 1932. The pastor's win added to Democrats' takeover of Congress, The Guardian says.

• Byron Donalds wins Florida governor race, a first for the state

  Republican Byron Donalds has beaten Democrat David Jolly in the race for Florida governor, CBS News and the Fox News Decision Desk project. Donalds will be the state's first Black governor, CBS, Fox and The Guardian report. CBS and Fox say he will also be the first Black Republican ever elected a governor.

• Gina Hinojosa defeats Greg Abbott in Texas governor race

  Democrat Gina Hinojosa has defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott in Texas, CBS News and the Fox News Decision Desk project. She will be the first Democrat elected governor of Texas in more than three decades, CBS reports. Fox and The Guardian say she will be the state's first Latina governor.

• Troy Jackson defeats Susan Collins in Maine Senate race

  Democrat Troy Jackson beat Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine, CBS News and the Fox News Decision Desk project. The win ends Collins' nearly 30-year career in the Senate. Jackson is a fifth-generation logger and a former president of the Maine state Senate.

Business

• CVS Health plans to split its pharmacies from its insurance arm

  CVS Health will split into two companies, separating its drugstores from its insurance and drug-benefit businesses, according to New York Post reporting. The Post bases its story on a Wall Street Journal report. CVS bought the insurer Aetna for about $78 billion in 2018.

• SpaceX moves toward a shake-up of the US wireless market

  SpaceX is building the pieces to become a major US wireless carrier, Axios and The Independent report. It has held talks with EchoStar about buying Boost Mobile or gaining access to its network, according to a Washington Post report cited by Axios. The industry is now led by three big carriers.

• Primark moves up home delivery plan by two years after profit slide

  Primark will start home deliveries in the UK by the end of next year, about two years earlier than planned, The Guardian reports. Its owner, Associated British Foods, says it is cautious about the future after profits fell again, The Independent reports. Primark sales rose 4% to £9.8 billion.

• M&S profits bounce back as it recovers from last year's cyberattack

  Marks & Spencer's profits rebounded in the six months to late September as it recovered from last year's cyberattack, The Guardian and the PA news agency report. Food sales grew strongly. But the boss said clothing and home results fell short, and the firm warned of an onslaught of costs.

• JetBlue raises checked bag fees again as fuel costs climb

  JetBlue is raising its checked bag fees again to offset rising fuel and operating costs, CBS News and CNBC report. Checking a first bag in economy during off-peak periods now costs $50, the outlets say. During peak periods, the fee rises to $55 from $49.

• Saudi Aramco profit rises on stronger refining margins

  Saudi Aramco's third-quarter net profit rose 35% to $36.3 billion, helped by higher oil prices and a stake sale, ABC News reports. Adjusted net income rose 9% to $31.2 billion, beating analyst estimates, CNBC and ABC report. Stronger refining margins helped, CNBC says.

• Dollar falls and Treasuries rally after Democratic wins

  The dollar fell and Treasury bonds rallied as markets reacted to Democrats winning control of Congress, The Guardian reports. Treasury yields moved lower as investors sought safety from a drop in stock futures, CNBC reports. Gold rose, The Guardian says.

• Disney plans several thousand job cuts, reports say

  Disney is planning to cut several thousand jobs, people familiar with the matter say, according to CNBC. Some managers have been asked to reduce costs by up to 20%, CNBC, the New York Post and Variety report. Disney declined to comment, the Post says.

Sports

• Jon Rahm explains why he left LIV Golf

  Jon Rahm says he was not thrilled with the direction of the relaunched LIV Golf and was not willing to follow that path, The Independent and Fox News report. The Spaniard returns to the DP World Tour this week in Abu Dhabi. LIV is trying to restart after losing its Saudi funding.

• LeBron James sips a fan's wine after crashing into the stands

  LeBron James took a sip of a fan's wine after running into the stands during the Philadelphia 76ers' win over the Chicago Bulls, CBS Philadelphia and the New York Post report. James said he spilled the drink and wanted to see if it was worth it. Philadelphia won 126-107.

• Jerry Jones defends Cowboys coaches and says pay doesn't drive wins

  Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stood by his coaches after Sunday's overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the New York Post and CBS News Texas report. On a radio show Tuesday, he said there is no link between what a team pays its coach and winning. The Cowboys are 3-5.

• Djokovic wins in Paris to keep ATP Finals hopes alive

  Novak Djokovic came from behind to beat Valentin Vacherot in the first round of the Paris Masters, BBC Sport and The Independent report. The win keeps alive his late bid to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin. Djokovic, 39, became the oldest man to win a match at the Paris Masters, the BBC says.

• Bills release CJ Gardner-Johnson after spitting suspension

  The Buffalo Bills have released safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, the New York Post and BBC Sport report. The move came a day after he served a one-game ban for spitting toward Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. NFL Network reported that the move was driven more by his uneven play, the BBC says.

• Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel dies after on-field collision

  Spanish soccer player Jesús de Miguel has died after colliding with a goalkeeper during a second-division match on Monday, his club CD Tenerife says, CNN and the New York Post report. He was 30. Spanish police have opened an investigation, which officials describe as routine, the Post says.

World

• Death toll from Russian strike on Ukraine aid center rises

  At least 31 people were killed when Russian bombs hit an aid center in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, a regional official says, BBC News reports. The Guardian reports that President Volodymyr Zelensky put the toll at 33. Rescuers are still searching the rubble in the village of Komyshuvakha.

• US to mediate Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Abu Dhabi next week

  The US will mediate talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November, US envoy Steve Witkoff said, Axios and CBS News report. The talks aim to restart a peace effort. The two sides remain far apart, mainly over land.

• Trump moves to drop South Africa and Rwanda from African trade deal

  President Trump has notified Congress that he plans to remove South Africa and Rwanda from a trade program that lets African goods enter the US duty-free, according to BBC News. The change would take effect on 1 January 2027. South Africa called the decision unfortunate.

• South Africans vote in local elections as the ANC faces more losses

  South Africans are voting in local elections on Wednesday that could bring more losses for the African National Congress, BBC News and The Guardian report. Voters are angry about water outages, power cuts and poor services. Polls show the ANC getting less than a third of the vote.

• Two helicopters collide near Everest base camp, killing an Indian tourist

  Two helicopters collided while trying to land at Pheriche, just below Mount Everest base camp, on Tuesday, killing a tourist from India, CBS News, ABC News and Fox News report. A passenger from New Zealand was badly hurt. Nepal's aviation authority has opened an investigation.

• North Korea fires multiple missiles off its east coast

  North Korea fired multiple missiles toward the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, NBC News and The Independent report. The missiles were launched from the Sondok area. Seoul and Washington were analyzing the launch, NBC reports.

• King Charles calls slave trade a shameful chapter of history

  King Charles called the slave trade a shameful chapter of history, BBC News and The Guardian report. He spoke as he opened a Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday. He did not apologize, though some leaders in the Caribbean want an apology and reparations from Britain.

• Spain's transport minister resigns after deadly train crash

  Spain's transport minister, Óscar Puente, resigned on Tuesday after a train crash last week that killed 69 people, The Guardian and The Independent report. Puente also said he would withdraw from the upcoming general election. He had ruled out resigning several times since the disaster, The Guardian says.

Tech

• Netflix launches an AI tool that suggests shows based on your mood

  Netflix is rolling out a new AI Discover tab that suggests shows and movies based on a viewer's mood, TechCrunch, Deadline and The Independent report. Users pick themes such as something light or scare me. Netflix calls the tab its test kitchen for new ideas.

• Prosecutor cites a made-up case in England's High Court after AI search

  A senior Crown Prosecution Service lawyer cited a legal case that does not exist in a High Court dispute, according to The Guardian. The paper understands the fake case came from an AI answer in an internet search. The CPS says it fixed the error and reviewed how it happened.

• Anthropic works on a system to prove which AI wrote an answer

  Anthropic is working on an open source system to check which AI model produced a given answer, according to TechCrunch. The system, called FlashProve, would give a math-based proof that an output came from a certain model. Anthropic has no plans yet to use it.

• UK cyber agency warns AI attacks on infrastructure are likely by 2028

  Britain's cyber agency says AI malware is highly likely to be used to attack the country's key services by 2028, The Guardian and The Associated Press report. That means places like power plants, airports and hospitals. The agency also says Russia and China will use AI often in their cyber attacks.

• Hollywood groups back The New York Times in OpenAI copyright case

  Groups representing actors, musicians and writers have filed briefs backing The New York Times in its copyright case against OpenAI and Microsoft, Axios and Deadline report. Stars including Anne Hathaway signed one brief. The briefs support the argument that AI firms should not train on creative work without permission.

• Hackers heat supermarket fridges across Europe again

  Hackers remotely heated fridges and freezers at supermarkets across Europe on Monday, spoiling food, CNBC and The Guardian report. At least one store reported temperatures of up to 50C, or 122F, CNBC says. Food suppliers in the UK were also hit, The Guardian reports.

• Binance says hackers used fake job interviews in record heist

  North Korean hackers stole a record $6.3 billion in crypto from Binance, the exchange says. They posed as recruiters and tricked an engineer into downloading bad code, the New York Post and TechCrunch report. Binance shared the details in a new statement it posted on X on Tuesday.

Entertainment

• Sam Fender's old school choir sings on John Lewis Christmas ad

  Pupils from Sam Fender's old school in North Shields sing on the song for John Lewis's new Christmas ad, BBC News reports. The ad stars Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as a wealthy grandmother and has divided viewers, The Independent reports. Some critics call it out of touch.

• Two big theater chains won't show Brad Pitt's new Cliff Booth film

  Cinemark and Regal will not play The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, the Netflix film starring Brad Pitt, Deadline and The Independent report. The chains object to the short time the film will stay in theaters before streaming. The film opens on November 25.

• Lupin Part 4 tops all Netflix series in its first week

  Lupin Part 4 was the most-watched series on Netflix last week, with 10.8 million views, Deadline reports. The French heist drama starring Omar Sy also pushed its first three parts back into the non-English top 10. The Guardian calls the show ridiculously watchable.

• La Bola Negra becomes Spain's top-grossing local film of the year

  La Bola Negra, Spain's official Oscar entry, is the country's highest-grossing local film this year, Deadline reports. It has earned about $43.4 million worldwide, the site says. The Guardian reports the film is driving new interest in the poet Federico García Lorca.

• Andrew Scott drama Elsinore leads British independent film award nominations

  Elsinore, the drama in which Andrew Scott plays the actor Ian Charleson, leads the British Independent Film Awards with 12 nominations, Variety and The Guardian report. I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning has eight. Ashley Walters' debut Animol has seven.

• Jury begins considering verdicts in Russell Brand trial

  The jury in Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault trial has begun considering its verdicts, BBC News and Deadline report. Brand, 51, faces seven charges involving six women and has pleaded not guilty to all of them. No verdict was returned on Tuesday, Deadline says.

• Nicolas Cage says he is a little bit homeless after sinkhole

  Nicolas Cage says he is living in hotels after a sinkhole opened near his Malibu home in September, Variety and NBC News report. The actor spoke about his housing at a Los Angeles Comic Con panel on Halloween. The sinkhole forced 31 homes to be evacuated, Variety says.

• Taylor Red singer Nicole Taylor dies at 35

  Nicole Taylor, a member of the country trio Taylor Red, has died of breast cancer at 35, Variety, ABC News and Fox News report. She formed the group with her identical triplet sisters, Nika and Natalie. Her sisters announced her death in a video posted on Monday.

Health

• Blood tests for many cancers at once come to 200 GP surgeries

  New blood tests that check for many cancers at once will be offered in about 200 GP surgeries in England, according to BBC News. The trial aims to find hard-to-spot cancers in the abdomen much sooner. More than 20,000 patients aged 45 and over with vague symptoms can take part.

• UK watchdog bans weight-loss pill ads aimed at the public

  Britain's ad watchdog has banned four ads for pushing weight-loss drugs that need a prescription, according to The Independent. Two of the ads were from the online health firm Voy. Drugs that need a prescription cannot be advertised to the public in the UK.

Science & Climate

• Stargazers' photos help explain a red glow above the northern lights

  Photos taken by stargazers during the huge solar storm of May 2024 have helped explain red glows seen above some auroras, according to The Independent. Bright rays linked the red glow to the green aurora below. Scientists now want more photos from the public.

• Brazil publishes first global roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels

  Brazil has set out the world's first global roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, according to The Guardian. The plan says countries can start cutting their reliance on coal, oil and gas now. The roadmap is not binding and has no deadlines, the paper reports.

• NASA's Swift observatory expected to fall back to Earth

  NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory was expected to fall back into Earth's atmosphere early Wednesday, nearly 22 years after it launched, CNN, The Verge and The Guardian report. Most of the 3,200-pound spacecraft should burn up, but NASA expects some pieces to survive. NASA puts the risk of harm to anyone at about 1 in 2,100.

Lifestyle

• Mayor Mamdani grows a mustache for Movember

  New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani shaved off his beard and kept a mustache, according to CNN. He said the new look is for Movember, the yearly campaign for men's health. He showed it off while handing out water at the New York City Marathon.

• Celebrity hairstylist John Frieda dies at 75

  Celebrity hairstylist John Frieda, whose clients included Princess Diana and Joanna Lumley, has died at 75, according to The Independent. His London salon announced the news on Instagram on Tuesday night. No details about the cause of his death were shared.