Democrats win US Senate as Russia strikes Ukraine aid site and US-Iran strikes continue
Democrats won control of the US Senate in Tuesday's midterms, while Russian strikes in Ukraine killed dozens of civilians, including people collecting humanitarian aid. The US struck an Iranian anti-aircraft site as indirect talks continue, and the US reportedly helped Venezuela carry out a drone strike that a rights group says killed about two dozen people.
The toll from a Russian guided-bomb attack on people gathered for humanitarian aid in southern Ukraine reached 29, with 48 still missing. Ukraine says at least 38 people were killed in 24 hours, and Zelensky warns dozens more could be trapped under rubble. Overnight strikes also hit a hospital and power plants, and strikes on Dnipro killed two and injured 20. Zelensky met Merz in Berlin ahead of trilateral talks with Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi next week.
Democrats regained the Senate, giving them leverage over President Trump's legislative agenda and appointments, including judicial nominations. Seats flipped or held include North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Maine, and Democrats also won governorships in states including Texas, Ohio, California and Georgia. Incoming House oversight chair Robert Garcia told Trump and Republicans to "lawyer up".
Trump said the US military struck an Iranian anti-aircraft facility on Tuesday, while Iran called Washington's reply to its Hormuz plan unconvincing. Indirect talks between the two sides are continuing. NPR reports Iran sees the US midterms as a possible starting point for a new round of war.
US officials cited by the New York Times say the US assisted Venezuela in a drone strike on a drug-trafficking group. A rights group says about two dozen people were killed. The NYT also reports Secretary of State Marco Rubio is starting talks on an agreement to allow US troops to stay in Venezuela.
According to the United Nations, drones have become the top cause of civilian deaths in Sudan this year. The population is already struggling with famine and drought.
Fighting between Houthi forces and Yemeni government troops intensified around Taiz, with residents facing shortages of food, water and medical supplies. Yemen's interior minister accuses Iran's IRGC and Hezbollah of sending 21 experts to the Houthis.
El Salvador is sending more than 2,000 troops into Haiti to look for four soldiers who went missing after a gang ambush. A Haitian gang leader wanted by the US has asked the UN to mediate.