News for November 4, 2026
Speaker Johnson won’t seek reelection as House Republican leader after party’s midterm losses
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson will be stepping aside from Republican Party leadership after the GOP’s wipeout in the midterm elections, declining to run for House minority leader in the new Congress. Johnson is expected to stay on as a rank-and-file member from Louisiana when the Congress convenes in January. Johnson’s decision sets up a fierce internal party battle for his replacement as GOP leader after the Democrats swept to power. Fellow Louisiana congressman Steve Scalise is expected to run for the post and Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio announced his bid for leader in a letter to colleagues. The people who told The Associated Press about Johnson’s and Scalise’s decisions insisted on anonymity to disclose them.
El-Sayed tells AP Michigan rejected ‘hateful, spiteful campaign’ after months of Republican attacks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed tells The Associated Press that voters have rejected a “hateful, spiteful campaign” after months of Republican attacks on his Muslim identity. El-Sayed spoke to the AP by phone Wednesday. He will become the nation’s first Muslim senator after defeating Republican Mike Rogers by a significant margin in one of the nation’s most closely watched races. President Donald Trump repeatedly called him a “jihadist” during the campaign. El-Sayed also reflected on the historic significance of his victory and called for new Democratic leadership in Congress.
Israel’s president takes first steps on building new government after accepting election results
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli President Isaac Herzog accepted the certified results of last week’s election and began consultations with party representatives on forming a new government. Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party nor that of his main challenger, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, secured an outright majority in parliament. Both sides are now locked in negotiations to persuade smaller parties to join a governing coalition. Earlier in the day, Israel’s election commission said it had found no fraud in the vote, dealing a blow to Netanyahu’s efforts to discredit the results. Netanyahu and his supporters have repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that Arab-led parties had “stolen” the election.
Russian attacks disrupt power in Kyiv, while the death toll in a stricken village rises to 40
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian attacks on critical infrastructure have caused power and water outages in Kyiv and surrounding areas that lasted hours. Rescuers are still searching for survivors in southern Ukraine after a deadly attack there on Monday. Russian bombs hit a former school and shelter in Komyshuvakha, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 40 people are believed to have been killed, while 30 others could still buried in the rubble. Officials from the U.S., Germany, France, Britain, NATO and the EU are meeting in Brussels to discuss post-war support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy also honored U.S. first lady Melania Trump for efforts to broker a ceasefire to help evacuate civilians trapped in a Russian-occupied city last week.
Florida sheriff says 2 dead, including suspect, as witnesses report shooting at Tampa office complex
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Florida authorities report two people are dead, including a suspect, after a shooting at Citibank’s business complex in Tampa. Officers swarmed the area Wednesday afternoon. TV footage showed workers evacuating the buildings. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said it responded to an active threat and is clearing the building. Sheriff Chad Chronister believes this was a targeted incident. Citigroup stated it is cooperating with authorities. Doug Merritt said his son fled the campus after hearing gunshots. Merritt was worried for an hour before confirming his son was safe.
US stocks surge, and the Dow soars 1,500 points as oil prices tumble following the midterm elections
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are soaring after President Donald Trump’s party lost its sole control of Washington in the midterm elections. Stocks generally do well in the months following any midterm U.S. election, regardless of who wins, and the S&P 500 jumped 1.7% Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,546 points, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1.7%. Stocks of hospital owners and retailers focused on lower-income Americans led the widespread rally. Investors, meanwhile, see risks ahead for Trump’s social-media company, the AI industry and businesses owned by Elon Musk. Oil prices tumbled, which helped Treasury yields to ease in the bond market.
