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Politics today

Friday, november 6, 20267 stories · updated at 08:12

Democrats won control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress, and Vice President JD Vance said the Iran war was the main reason for the Republican defeat. Meanwhile, incidents continue in the Strait of Hormuz alongside Qatar's mediation efforts.

Elections

Democrats win control of the U.S. House and Senate

Democrats won majorities in both chambers of Congress in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, according to Drop Site News, which estimates they flipped seven Senate seats. Among the notable results, James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton in Texas' Senate race and Abdul El-Sayed beat Mike Rogers in Michigan. As of Thursday morning, Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska were still uncalled. President Donald Trump congratulated Democrats in a call with CBS, though he told Fox News he would veto what he called "insane" legislation.

Background

According to Drop Site News, it is the third time in 50 years that control of both chambers has changed in a single election. Republicans will choose their new House minority leader on Nov. 10; Speaker Mike Johnson will not seek the post.

Why it matters

An opposition-led Congress can block the White House's legislative agenda and weigh in on funding for the Iran war. According to La Jornada, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico said the outcome does not change immigration laws.

· Source: Drop Site News

Also reported by: La Jornada

Middle East

Vance blames Republican defeat on the Iran war; Tehran says it expects no change

Vice President JD Vance wrote on X that the Iran war was the main reason Republicans lost, citing private polling, according to Drop Site News. Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said anyone expecting U.S. policy to change after the elections is "seriously mistaken." Trump told the Financial Times he has no immediate plans to strike Iran but is ready if needed. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran remains committed to talks through a seven-day roadmap given to Qatari mediators.

Background

The war began in February. According to The Wall Street Journal, as cited by Drop Site News, the U.S. carried out unannounced strikes on Qeshm Island in recent weeks, which U.S. officials described as defensive.

Why it matters

Qatar-mediated talks and the new balance in Congress may decide whether the conflict escalates or a negotiated exit is reached.

· Source: Drop Site News

Economy & power

Hormuz incidents and low European gas reserves show the war's economic toll

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy said two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire after using "unauthorized" routes, and the UK agency UKMTO reported a tanker hit by two projectiles about 50 nautical miles from Qatar, according to Drop Site News. The International Energy Agency says Europe is entering winter with its lowest gas storage since 2013. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned individuals and firms in India and Turkey, saying earlier sanctions helped drive Iran's currency collapse and inflation of almost 90%. Emirates Group reported a 66% drop in profit in the first half of its fiscal year.

Background

According to the IEA, as cited by Drop Site News, disruptions in Hormuz cut Qatari and UAE liquefied natural gas exports by more than 60 billion cubic meters between March and October.

Why it matters

A key share of the world's oil and gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz; disruptions feed into energy prices and economies far from the conflict.

· Source: Drop Site News

Human rights

Settlers take over eight homes near Jericho; Israel closes Rafah crossing to aid

About 30 settlers, some armed, took over eight homes in Ein Al-Duyuk Al-Tahta near Jericho in the West Bank, in an operation organized by the Nachala movement, according to Drop Site News; an activist cited by The Times of Israel said 65 residents fled. In Biddu, East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished five buildings with 12 apartments over a lack of permits, displacing 105 people. A Palestinian source told Drop Site News that Israel imposed a "complete" closure of the Rafah crossing, which carried 50 to 60 trucks a day, including all fuel and gas; Israel cited smuggling. Gaza's Health Ministry said 42% of essential medicines are out of stock.

Background

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 1,599 people have been killed in Gaza since the Oct. 11, 2025 ceasefire. The agreement calls for 600 aid trucks a day; according to the source cited by Drop Site News, deliveries average about 200.

Why it matters

Settlement expansion and restrictions on humanitarian aid are at the center of human rights groups' complaints and of Gaza's fragile truce.

· Source: Drop Site News

United States

Trump weighs removing Hegseth as a fight over war funding takes shape

Trump is asking advisers whether to remove War Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to CBS, as cited by Drop Site News; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been floated as a replacement. Federal government funding expires Dec. 11, 2026. A draft letter from civil-society groups including Indivisible, MoveOn and Win Without War initially proposed delaying the Iran war funding fight until 2027; according to Drop Site News, the text was toughened after the outlet contacted signatories. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Ro Khanna have proposed legally barring war spending.

Why it matters

The December funding deadline will be the first test of strength between the White House and Democrats after their election win.

· Source: Drop Site News

Latin America

Colombia's Congress toughens surrender terms for armed groups

Colombia's Congress passed a bill toughening surrender terms for armed groups, according to Drop Site News. President Abelardo De La Espriella is expected to sign it. The law replaces former President Gustavo Petro's "total peace" policy.

Why it matters

It marks a shift in the Colombian state's strategy toward guerrillas and criminal organizations after the change of government.

· Source: Drop Site News

World

French unions call strike with protests in 260 cities

French unions called a strike for Thursday, Nov. 5, with protests planned in 260 cities, according to Drop Site News. The Education Ministry expected 16% of public-school teachers to strike. La Jornada reported that hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets again.

· Source: Drop Site News

Also reported by: La Jornada

Aster publishes Politics today every day. News items come from wire services and outlets with original reporting and link to their source; opinion is kept separate and labeled. The Weekly Report comes out on Fridays. All politics