Evening Premium Edition · Thu, Nov 5 · 6:55 p.m.

The Essential 10 · about 3 minutes

1. Updated

   Democrats seized control of both chambers of Congress in midterm elections

   Democrats seized both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s midterms, with majorities PBS News described as the largest in decades. The New York Times said moderate Democrats helped secure victory by campaigning in Republican-leaning states and competitive districts on lowering costs, improving health care and restoring trust. Representative Hakeem Jeffries is the presumptive next speaker; Senator Chuck Schumer, the would-be majority leader.

   Reporting: The Washington Post, PBS News, The New York Times

2. Continuing

   Investors pull U.S. stocks lower Thursday on AI worries

   U.S. stocks plunged Thursday, with the Nasdaq Composite falling 5.5% into correction territory, CNBC reported. The S&P 500 dropped about 4.4%, and the Dow fell roughly 1,833 points. Business Insider said investors feared Democratic election victories could bring tighter regulation of data centers and AI development, slowing investment. CNBC-TV18 reported a semiconductor index fell 11%.

   Reporting: CNBC, CNBC-TV18 India, Business Insider

3. Updated

   Paraguay’s lower house voted to impeach former President Santiago Peña

   Paraguay’s lower house unanimously voted to impeach former President Santiago Peña minutes after he resigned amid the collapse of Ueno Bank, NPR reported. Reuters said lawmakers also rejected an impeachment motion against Vice President Pedro Alliana. Euronews reported Peña had held a stake until last year in a company related to the lender.

   Reporting: Reuters, Bloomberg, Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, Euronews, The Guardian, United Press International, organiser.org

4. New

   Gov. Gavin Newsom moved to commute all 548 California death sentences

   California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that he would commute all 548 death sentences in the state to life in prison without parole. The Los Angeles Times reported that nearly 60% of the commutations require California Supreme Court approval; CalMatters said approval would make the move the largest mass commutation of death sentences in U.S. history.

   Reporting: Los Angeles Times, CNN, NBC News, BBC News, CalMatters, capradio.org, deathpenaltyinfo.org

5. New

   Wisconsin reported its first measles fatality since 1990

   An infant in Wisconsin died after contracting measles, the state’s first measles-related death since 1990, state health officials announced Thursday. Wisconsin recorded 431 cases in 13 counties this year, CNN reported. CNN also reported the death was the third measles-related U.S. death reported this week. The health department withheld further details to protect the family’s privacy.

   Reporting: The Hill, NBC News, CNN, NBC Chicago, statnews.com, kcrg.com, wausaupilotandreview.com, krdo.com

6. New

   Iran sent a new nuclear proposal to the United States through Qatar

   Iran sent the United States a nuclear proposal through Qatar, but Tehran wants seven demands met before negotiations, a senior Iranian official told Reuters. The official said Washington was reviewing it. Separately, Iran and the United States are reviewing mediators’ “concrete” proposals, five officials told The New York Times, signaling possible progress toward ending the war.

   Reporting: The New York Times, Israel National News, Hindustan Times, The Jerusalem Post, Israel Hayom, The Media Line, i24NEWS, Iran International

7. New

   Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expanded the National Guard role in Washington, D.C

   Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the National Guard to expand its Washington, D.C., law-enforcement support, approving patrol cars, tactical vehicles, boats and portable light towers, The Associated Press reported, citing two Oct. 29 memos. Troops may carry rifles during some operations but not in Metro stations. The New Republic reported troops still cannot pursue suspects or make arrests.

   Reporting: Bloomberg, PBS News (with Associated Press), The Hill, The New York Times, Task & Purpose, The New Republic, macombdaily.com (with Associated Press), todaypress.tv

8. Updated

   The GOP urged Mississippi election officials to safeguard all provisional ballots

   The Republican Party is asking Mississippi election officials to “separate and preserve” all provisional ballots, which Democracy Docket described as the first step in a likely effort to throw out votes in the Senate race. Democratic candidate Scott Colom narrowly leads Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. Counties have until Nov. 13 to certify. Mississippi has no recount law.

   Reporting: The Hill, NBC News, Democracy Docket, Action News 5

9. Updated

   Donald Trump met with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev at the White House

   Donald Trump met Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev at the White House on Thursday but did not meet Ukrainian representatives who were also visiting, the Associated Press reported. Trump declined to disclose what they discussed, then suggested a deal was in the works. The Straits Times reported he said a “big agreement” could cover Ukraine and possibly all of Europe.

   Reporting: PBS News (with Associated Press), The Straits Times, Ottumwa Courier

10. Continuing

    European airlines face disruption from hoax bomb threats

    Hoax bomb threats disrupted dozens of European passenger flights Thursday, forcing unplanned landings and prompting fighter-jet responses, Reuters reported. Aer Lingus Flight 402 from Dublin to Rome diverted to France’s Évreux military base. CBS News reported that no explosives were found and the incidents appeared to be hoaxes. At least seven flights were targeted Tuesday.

    Reporting: Reuters, CBS News, ABC News (Australia), BBC News, Business Insider, brusselssignal.eu, theaviationist.com

More stories

U.S.

11. Updated

    Nithya Raman wins Los Angeles mayoral race

    Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman won the mayoral race, with the Associated Press calling it as counting continued. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass conceded, Politico reported. Raman, a Democratic Socialists of America member, is the first challenger in more than two decades to unseat an incumbent Los Angeles mayor, despite opposition from council colleagues and business and labor interests.

    Reporting: NBC News, Politico, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, NBC Los Angeles, KTLA 5 Los Angeles

12. Updated

    Democrats planned wide investigations into the Trump administration following midterm victories

    After winning both chambers, Democrats say they will use Congress’s investigative powers to scrutinize the Trump administration and its business dealings. Reuters reported they plan to make what they call corruption central to their 2028 campaign.

    Reporting: Associated Press, Reuters, PBS News, NBC News, National Public Radio, The Hill

13. New

    A New York appeals court heard arguments on Trump’s bid to overturn his conviction

    Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a five-judge New York appeals court Thursday to overturn his 34-count falsifying-business-records conviction, arguing presidential immunity and federal campaign-finance law undermine the verdict. Trump lawyer Robert Giuffra Jr. said state prosecutors lacked authority to build the case on federal election law. Manhattan district attorney’s appeals chief Steven Wu defended the state’s authority to protect business-record integrity.

    Reporting: Los Angeles Times, The Hill, Newsday

14. Updated

    Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon resigned

    Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon resigned; Attorney General Todd Blanche said he accepted her resignation. The New York Times reported midterm legal-strategy conflicts with Justice Department leaders. Dhillon told Fox News Digital she decided to resign three weeks earlier; White House chief of staff Susie Wiles asked her to wait until after the election, she said.

    Reporting: The New York Times, Fox News, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, Newsweek, Oregon Public Broadcasting, SSBCrack, A News

15. New

    The Trump administration privately discussed removing Iranian nationals with Tehran during the war

    Court documents show Donald Trump's administration held secret talks with Iran about deporting Iranian nationals during the war, The Associated Press reported. The documents say contacts involved submitting travel documents and exploring “possible avenues for removal.” The disclosure emerged from a lawsuit alleging immigration agencies shared confidential information about Iranian asylum seekers with Iran's government.

    Reporting: PBS News (with Associated Press), The Guardian, AOL, News.Az, The Times of India, dailyadvance.com, breakingthenews.net

16. New

    Pete Hegseth’s future as defense secretary came under question after reported internal criticism over the Iran war

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s position is under pressure after Republicans’ midterm losses, with an impeachment effort emerging in the House. International Business Times UK, citing CNN, reported some Republicans faulted him for urging attacks on Iran without a clear exit strategy. Donald Trump has defended Hegseth, while Democrats are preparing investigations.

    Reporting: Newsweek, The Washington Post, The Economic Times, Mezha, International Business Times UK, pragativadi.com, jfeed.com

17. Continuing

    The Fire Department said a Brooklyn home fire killed six adults and injured seven

    A fire tore through a two-story home in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood early Thursday, killing six people and injuring seven, including three firefighters. The New York Times called it New York City’s deadliest fire this year. CBS News reported hazmat teams were called after a lithium-ion battery was found; the cause remains under investigation.

    Reporting: CBS News, NBC News, The New York Times, New York Post, ABC7 New York, WRAL News (with Associated Press), ABC7 Los Angeles, thechenabtimes.com

18. New

    Bernie Sanders urged a nationwide moratorium on data centers

    After Democrats won control of Congress in Tuesday’s midterms, Sen. Bernie Sanders called for a national data-center moratorium, Quartz reported. Rep. Yassamin Ansari urged a pause on advanced AI development and a ban on artificial superintelligence. Nadine Smith, president and CEO of Color of Change, said some Democrats fear a blanket freeze could hamper AI and undermine national security.

    Reporting: Quartz, Firstpost, tomshardware.com

19. New

    Emergency responders rescue dozens in record-flooded McCaysville and Copperhill

    Overnight thunderstorms caused record flooding in McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, submerging some buildings to their rooflines, The Associated Press reported. The Ocoee River crested at an all-time high of 18.05 feet in Copperhill, WSMV reported. McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley said the city was under a state of emergency and closed; rescue operations remained ongoing.

    Reporting: chronicleonline.com (with Associated Press), caledonianrecord.com, wjcl.com, wsmv.com

20. New

    Judge Janet Helson ordered Albertsons to pay Washington $900 million over opioid prescriptions

    King County Superior Court Judge Janet Helson ordered Albertsons to pay Washington $900 million plus fees and costs for failing to adequately investigate opioid prescription warning signs. The state attorney general’s office said more than 6.5 million prescriptions with red flags were filled from 2006 to 2022. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said the judgment will fund treatment and prevention.

    Reporting: Reuters, News From The States, KOMO News, sjvsun.com, washingtonstatestandard.com, mybellinghamnow.com, dailyfly.com

21. New

    The Internal Revenue Service announced inflation adjustments for nearly 70 tax provisions

    The IRS announced inflation adjustments to nearly 70 tax provisions for tax year 2027, generally affecting returns filed in 2028. Bracket thresholds will rise about 3.2%, and tax rates remain unchanged, according to the Wall Street Journal and Kiplinger. The standard deduction will be $16,600 for single filers and $33,200 for joint filers, and the maximum child tax credit will increase to $2,300.

    Reporting: The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, MarketWatch, thecollegeinvestor.com, journalofaccountancy.com, kiplinger.com, irs.gov

World

22. New

    A Hong Kong court sentenced democracy activist Joshua Wong to 10 more years in prison

    Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong was sentenced Thursday to 10 more years in jail for colluding with foreign powers under the national security law. Wong pleaded guilty in September to seeking foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and China. He has spent nearly six years in prison and is due for release in late 2036.

    Reporting: France 24, Devdiscourse

23. New

    Mexican judge arrested in Colombia over alleged $2 million bribe

    Mexican district judge Luis Benítez Alcántara was arrested in Colombia on Sunday on a U.S. indictment accusing him of accepting a $2 million bribe to release Canadian citizen Andrew Clark. Clark was accused of helping run a drug-trafficking network allegedly led by former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding. The nine-count indictment accuses Benítez of being an accessory after the fact.

    Reporting: Bloomberg, Reuters, CBS News, Fox News, The Guardian, New York Post, LiveNOW from FOX, News4JAX

24. New

    Hundreds of thousands joined nationwide strikes and marches across France

    Hundreds of thousands joined strikes and marches across France on Thursday, demanding higher wages and better public services. The Interior Ministry reported more than 600,000 demonstrators nationwide. Reuters said marches were largely peaceful, despite clashes with police in Paris and Lyon. Al Jazeera said about a third of high schools were closed or unable to operate.

    Reporting: Reuters, Los Angeles Times, Al Jazeera, BBC News, The Hindu, China Daily, The Korea Times

25. New

    Israeli President Isaac Herzog will announce Sunday whom he will task to form the government

    Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he will announce Sunday whom he will task with forming the next government. After consultations, factions representing 67 lawmakers recommended Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot, while factions representing 46 backed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Herzog said mutual vetoes left government prospects uncertain and he would hold further talks with party leaders before deciding.

    Reporting: The Hill, Haaretz, The Times of Israel, Anadolu Agency, Arab News, Ynetnews, The Media Line

Business & Markets

26. New

    Democrats push oil prices lower after decisive midterm win

    Oil prices fell sharply after Democrats’ decisive midterm win, with markets anticipating Democratic control of Congress could bring a renewed push to end the Iran war. The Washington Post reported Brent crude fell 9 percent Wednesday. GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, Patrick De Haan, said the national gas average could fall below $4 within a week if prices hold.

    Reporting: The Washington Post, Global News, Los Angeles Daily News, wbay.com

27. New

    Wendy's board unanimously rejected an unsolicited $1.4 billion takeover offer from Trian

    Wendy’s board unanimously rejected an unsolicited $1.4 billion offer to take Wendy’s private from an investor group led by investor Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management. Its $7.35-per-share cash offer also included BlueFive Capital, Sixth Street Partners and Flynn Group. Independent directors said it undervalued Wendy’s; the company adopted a one-year shareholder plan. Trian declined to comment, CNBC reported.

    Reporting: Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, UA News, TradingView, qsrweb.com

Tech & Science

28. New

    Five federal agencies warned of ongoing cyber threat activity targeting refrigeration systems

    Five federal agencies warned Thursday of cyber activity targeting industrial refrigeration and cold-chain monitoring systems worldwide. They said attackers could exploit unpatched or internet-connected controllers to alter temperatures, creating fire hazards and inventory losses. CISA advised operators to disconnect devices and update software. Chris Butera, CISA’s acting executive assistant director for cybersecurity, said organizations should assume they could be targets.

    Reporting: Reuters, CBS News, CNBC, Politico, TechCrunch, Nextgov/FCW, The Record by Recorded Future, aha.org

Health

29. New

    A UK doctor diagnosed with Ebola in Congo was evacuated to the UK

    A British doctor who tested positive for Ebola while working on the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was flown to the UK on Thursday. The BBC reported he was taken to the Royal Free Hospital in London. He is unidentified. A UK government spokesperson said public risk remains low.

    Reporting: The Guardian, BBC News, WRAL News (with Associated Press), Facebook, heraldonline.com (with Reuters)

30. New

    Two studies find U.S. infant bleeding rates rose alongside vitamin K refusals

    Two studies found that rates of life-threatening bleeding among U.S. infants rose sharply since 2017 as parents increasingly refused newborn vitamin K shots, Reuters reported Thursday. The research does not establish that refusals caused the increase. Tippinsights reported that infants who missed the injection had a 47 percent higher risk of bleeding events during their first six months.

    Reporting: The Washington Post, Devdiscourse, HuffPost, tippinsights.com

Culture & Sports

31. New

    LIV Golf decided to liquidate its assets and shut down

    LIV Golf will wind down operations and liquidate its assets rather than pursue “LIV 2.0,” lawyer Matthew Williams told a New Jersey bankruptcy court Thursday. Williams said the league could not secure the financial and player support needed for a viable relaunch, ending its effort to continue as a professional tour.

    Reporting: USA Today, Sky Sports, Global News, ESPN