Daily Brief · Thursday, November 5, 2026

Daily Brief: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026

Democrats vowed to use their new House and Senate majorities to check President Trump, who said he would likely get along with them but holds the veto, a tanker was struck off Qatar as Iran reported mine strikes near Hormuz, Russia and Ukraine traded airstrikes as reconstruction talks resumed in Brussels, Nasdaq futures fell on chip and data-center losses, Washington's AP-called I-638 passed while I-645 and I-001 trail, three Colorado U.S. House races are still counting, and the Broncos opened Pat Bryant's return window before Sunday's game at Carolina.

World

Tanker struck by projectiles off Qatar as Iran reports mine strikes near the Strait of Hormuz

The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Center said a tanker was hit by two projectiles about 50 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal, Qatar, late Wednesday, with crew status and damage unconfirmed, the AP reported. Iranian state television separately reported that two tankers and a towboat hit mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported Brent crude rose Thursday after falling more than 8% on Wednesday, as traders weighed supply risks from the U.S.-Iran war.

Source: AP (opens in new tab)

Russia and Ukraine trade overnight airstrikes as reconstruction and security talks resume in Brussels

Russia and Ukraine exchanged airstrikes overnight as talks resumed in Brussels on Thursday on Ukraine's postwar rebuilding and security guarantees once the fighting ends, the AP reported. Ukraine's State Emergency Service said crews brought a fire under control and kept clearing damaged structures, while the search for people continued after earlier strikes. Separate U.S.-hosted talks with Ukrainian and Russian delegations are planned in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11, Reuters has reported.

Source: AP (opens in new tab)

U.S.

Democrats vow to rein in Trump with new majorities; Trump says he'll likely get along with them but has the veto

Democrats will hold at least 54 Senate seats and gained at least 30 House seats, with Senate races in Alaska and Mississippi still uncalled, Reuters reported. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the new majority will focus on affordability and accountability, and House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would not continue leading his caucus next year. Trump said, "I'll get along probably with the Democrats, unless they want to be destructive, but I have the power of the veto." The AP reported Trump acknowledged the Iran war affected the results but defended it.

Source: Reuters (opens in new tab)

Money and tech

Nasdaq futures fall as chip and data-center stocks slide; Qualcomm drops on weak phone-chip sales

Nasdaq 100 futures were down about 0.8% at 8:24 a.m. ET while Dow futures rose about 0.6% and S&P 500 futures were near flat, Reuters reported, after the S&P 500 posted its biggest one-day gain in three months on Wednesday. Qualcomm fell about 11% premarket after missing estimates for smartphone chip sales. Reuters said chip and AI-infrastructure stocks are under pressure after Democrats who campaigned partly on data-center moratoriums won in some key states. The AP reported South Korea's Kospi sank more than 5% and Tokyo's Nikkei lost nearly 2%.

Source: Reuters (opens in new tab)

Washington State

Washington's K-12 sports initiative passes, AP calls; millionaires-tax repeal and parents' rights measure trail

Initiative 638, which bars students the measure defines as biologically male from girls' school sports and requires health-provider verification, led about 56.6% to 43.4%, and the AP called it Wednesday evening, FOX 13 reported. Initiative 645, repealing the 9.9% tax on income over $1 million, trailed about 42% yes to 58% no, and Initiative 001 on parents' rights trailed about 47% to 53%, according to the Secretary of State's unofficial results. The next statewide update is Thursday at 5 p.m., counties certify Nov. 24, and the state certifies by Dec. 3.

Source: Washington Secretary of State (opens in new tab)

Colorado

Three Colorado U.S. House races still counting after Democrats flip the 8th District

The AP called the 8th District for Democrat Manny Rutinel over Republican Rep. Gabe Evans, Rocky Mountain Voice reported. In the uncalled races, Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd pulled ahead of Democrat Dwayne Romero in the 3rd, Democrat Eileen Laubacher led Rep. Lauren Boebert by less than a point in the 4th, and Democrat Jessica Killin led Rep. Jeff Crank by about five points in the 5th, Denver7 reported. Nov. 12 is the deadline for military and overseas ballots and signature cures.

Source: Denver7 (opens in new tab)

Denver Broncos

Broncos designate WR Pat Bryant to return from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game at Carolina

Bryant, out since an ankle injury in Week 4, practiced Wednesday and could play as soon as Sunday, the team said. Mile High Report listed safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, CB Kris Abrams-Draine and DL Eyioma Uwazurike as non-participants Wednesday. The 6-2 Broncos play the 3-4 Panthers at 11 a.m. Mountain time Sunday in Charlotte before their Week 10 bye.

Source: Denver Broncos (opens in new tab)

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