November 3, 2026 in review

Day in review: US midterms, Qeshm blasts, Turkey’s inflation

1. Trump offers $1m for fraud tips as US midterms put Congress at stake

   What happened

   US voters went to the polls for all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats. Campaign coverage highlighted living costs, the Iran conflict, tariffs and immigration, while forecasts gave Democrats an edge but differed on whether they would take control of either chamber.

   What changed today

   • Voting covered every House seat and 35 Senate seats.
   • Campaign issues included living costs, the Iran conflict, tariffs and immigration.
   • A November 2 poll and an average compiled by Nate Silver gave different figures for Trump’s approval.

   What is confirmed

   • Confirmed Voting on November 3 covered all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate's 100 seats.
   • Confirmed Campaign coverage identified the cost of living, including food, fuel and housing, the Iran conflict, tariffs and immigration policy as election issues.

   Unknown or disputed

   • The outcomes of the congressional, gubernatorial and ballot-measure contests, along with final vote totals, are not reported.
   • Trump’s approval was 32% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll and 37% in an average compiled by Nate Silver.
   • The sources do not say where the money for Trump’s proposed reward for fraud tips would come from.

2. US strike claim follows blasts on Iran’s Qeshm Island

   What happened

   Explosions were reported on Iran’s Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz. A Wall Street Journal report, citing US officials, said the United States struck the island, but Tehran had not confirmed the cause.

   What changed today

   • IRNA reported five explosions and said their cause was unclear.
   • The Wall Street Journal reported a US strike, citing US officials.
   • An unnamed US official characterized the reported action as a defensive measure involving surface-to-air missiles.

   What is confirmed

   • Statement by An unnamed US official, as reported by NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer The official characterized the reported action as a defensive measure involving Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets.

   Unknown or disputed

   • It is not established whether a US strike caused the explosions or whether the reports accurately describe the event.
   • The number, locations, target, scale, damage and any casualties remain unclear.
   • The sources do not report whether the United States or Iran will issue further statements or how Tehran will respond.

3. Snap settles teen addiction case before its first trial

   What happened

   Snap reached a settlement in a case brought by two teenagers who alleged that social media platforms were designed to encourage addictive use. The agreement spares Snap from its first trial in a wider legal fight over social media addiction.

   What changed today

   • Snap and the plaintiffs’ lawyers confirmed the settlement.
   • Accounts differ on whether the deal came during trial or before opening statements.

   What is confirmed

   • Confirmed Snap Inc. reached a settlement on Monday in the case brought by S.J. and K.D.B.; the company and the plaintiffs’ lawyers confirmed it.

   Unknown or disputed

   • The settlement amount, terms and any obligations imposed on Snap are not reported.
   • The sources differ on the settlement’s timing in relation to jury selection and opening statements.
   • The sources do not say whether the settlement requires court approval.

4. Google cuts ties with Videostrong over 1.3 million-box botnet

   What happened

   Google and partner organizations disrupted the X.CPE botnet, which Google said was embedded in more than 1.3 million Android TV devices across more than 200 countries. Google said the backdoor was installed in device firmware before the boxes reached subscribers.

   What changed today

   • Google said the botnet’s servers lost control in late October and announced the disruption on November 2.
   • Google said it was highly confident Videostrong intentionally operated the backdoor for financial gain.
   • Google said Videostrong sold access to infected devices to criminal affiliates.

   What is confirmed

   • Confirmed Google and partner organizations disrupted the X.CPE botnet; its servers reportedly lost control in late October 2026, and the operation was announced on November 2.
   • Confirmed X.CPE was found on more than 1.3 million devices across more than 200 countries.
   • Confirmed The backdoor was embedded in device firmware before the boxes reached subscribers, without their knowledge or consent.
   • Statement by Google Google said it was highly confident that Videostrong intentionally developed, deployed and operated the backdoor for financial gain, rather than the code being the result of a mistake or a rogue insider.
   • Statement by Google Google said Videostrong monetized access to infected devices by selling it to criminal affiliates and loading their modules onto the devices.

   Unknown or disputed

   • The exact date when the botnet’s servers lost control is not reported.
   • The sources do not establish whether a factory reset removes X.CPE itself.
   • No response from Videostrong or criminal charges against the company are reported.

5. Borderlands passes 100 million sales as Gearbox looks to 2027

   What happened

   2K and Gearbox Software announced that the Borderlands franchise had surpassed 100 million units sold. Gearbox said Borderlands 4’s first-year roadmap was complete, with additional content planned for 2027.

   What changed today

   • The companies announced the franchise sales milestone.
   • Gearbox said the first-year roadmap included two Story Packs, five Bounty Packs and two new Vault Hunters.
   • Limited-time sales were announced to mark the milestone.

   What is confirmed

   • Statement by 2K and Gearbox Software 2K and Gearbox Software announced that the Borderlands franchise had surpassed 100 million units sold.
   • Confirmed Borderlands games are on sale for a limited time to mark the sales milestone.
   • Statement by Gearbox Software The Borderlands 4 Year 1 roadmap has been completed.
   • Confirmed Over its first year, Borderlands 4 received two Story Packs, five Bounty Packs and two new Vault Hunters.

   Unknown or disputed

   • The sources do not give a title-by-title or platform breakdown of sales, or say when the threshold was crossed.
   • The planned 2027 content has no detailed schedule or description in the sources.

6. Turkey’s annual inflation edges up to 29.77% as food drives October rise

   What happened

   Turkey’s consumer prices rose 2.58% in October from the previous month and 29.77% from a year earlier. Food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to the monthly increase.

   What changed today

   • Annual inflation edged up from 29.73% in September to 29.77% in October.
   • Food prices rose 3.50% and contributed 0.84 percentage points to monthly inflation.
   • The 12-month-average CPI measure was 31.23%, setting November’s rent ceiling at that rate.

   What is confirmed

   • Confirmed Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 3.50% in October and contributed 0.84 percentage points to monthly inflation; transport rose 2.02% and contributed 0.36 points, while housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose 2.84% and contributed 0.34 points.
   • Confirmed Year on year, food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 27.73%, transport 36.39%, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels 40.24%; their contributions to annual inflation were 6.81, 6.10 and 4.71 percentage points, respectively.

   Unknown or disputed

   • The sources do not report whether the October CPI figure will affect wage adjustments.
   • November and December inflation figures, and the final 2026 annual rate, are not yet known.