Global Brief | Geopolitics & News

🇺🇸 The US midterm elections have dealt Donald Trump a major political setback, with Democrats winning control of both chambers of Congress and ending two years of unified Republican rule. The results reflect voter dissatisfaction over the cost of living, the war involving Iran and the administration’s policies. From January, Democrats will be able to launch investigations, block presidential nominees and challenge Trump’s legislative agenda, setting the stage for intensified political confrontation in Washington.

🇨🇳🇺🇸🇷🇺⚡️ — China has confirmed contacts with Russia and the United States regarding a potential first trilateral meeting between Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Xi Jinping, according to Bloomberg. The meeting could take place at the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18-19. According to the publication, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Beijing supports contacts with interested parties regarding the organization of the talks. A final decision on whether the meeting will take place has not yet been announced.

🇺🇦🇺🇸Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded U.S. First Lady Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, 1st Class. The corresponding decree by the President of Ukraine, No. 1079/2026, states that Melania Trump is being honored for her significant personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine, as well as for her active work in the fields of human rights and philanthropy.

🗳 All polling stations across the United States have closed following the midterm elections, CNN reports. The last polling stations to close were in Alaska, where former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola came first in the state’s primary, securing 49.5% of the vote. The state’s general election will be conducted using ranked-choice voting. According to NBC News projections, Democrats are set to secure 53 of the 100 seats in the US Senate and 255 seats in the House of Representatives. A majority in the House requires at least 218 seats.

❓ Trump reveals a “shocking” discovery: rising gas prices are due to Iran, not Ukraine. We have the greatest economy. [...] But because of gas prices, people aren’t noticing it to the extent they otherwise would. And the problem with gas prices was caused by Iran, the US president said.

🇺🇸 Democrat Abdul El-Sayed: I don't want to say something here. See, they try to call you hateful if you believe that Palestinian kids should get to grow up in the land of their forefathers without being murdered by our tax dollars. If you believe in equal rights to peace, dignity, and self-determination, that's not hate; it's love. Michiganders, we want our taxes spent here.

🇺🇸 Democrat Abdul El-Sayed beats Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race: Not only, look, I know you you struggle with my name. So after JD swears me in in January, you could just go on and call me Senator.

🇮🇷 The IRGC has announced the destruction of four oil tankers that struck naval mines near the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the seizure of two other vessels, reports ISNA. Furthermore, the Iranian military stated that they had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone.

‼️ Trump posted a photo of a baseball cap with the word "Veto" on it to his page. In an interview with Fox News, he stated that he intends to use his veto power to block legislation from the Democrats, now that they have gained control of both chambers of Congress.

🇺🇸Democrats are making major gains in the US midterm elections, winning seats in Congress and even challenging traditional Republican strongholds such as Texas, South Carolina and Kansas. Democrats had not won a Senate seat in some of these states since 1932. According to preliminary AP figures, Democrats lead Republicans 45–36 in the Senate and 101–55 in the House of Representatives. Vote counting is still underway.