Two more tankers and a tug burn in Hormuz as Qatar pushes a US-Iran draft · Russia hits Ukraine's grid, Kyiv's worst water outage · Democrats sweep Congress, oil falls below $95

Risk stays high on Thursday, Nov. 5. Ships are still burning in the Strait of Hormuz even as mediators work on a draft deal, Russia keeps hitting Ukraine's infrastructure ahead of three-way talks, and oil has dropped sharply after the US midterms.

Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday that two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in separate incidents. They said one tanker hit a mine on a passage south of the strait and a supertanker caught fire after leaving the route in the east; the tug caught fire while helping. This is Iran's account and has not been independently confirmed. On Wednesday the Guards claimed four tankers had hit mines and two more vessels were halted. Qatari mediators are trying to win US and Iranian backing for a draft agreement that outlines a three-day series of confidence-building steps and could restart direct talks within days. Iran still demands an end to the US naval blockade, sanctions relief and release of frozen funds before reopening the strait. Pakistan says talks are continuing, and Iran's and Oman's foreign ministers spoke on Thursday. President Trump has said he has no immediate plans to strike, but has also threatened to resume major strikes. South Korea said it will send patrol aircraft and a mine-disposal team near Hormuz.

Ukraine/Russia: Russian attacks killed nine people and injured 19 across Ukraine over the past day, authorities said. Overnight Russia launched 128 drones and two missiles; Ukraine says it intercepted 105 drones and recorded impacts at 18 locations. Russia says it hit a postal logistics hub, a power substation and a cargo ship; Ukraine has not confirmed those claims. Ukraine's drones set off fires in Ryazan, a city with a large oil refinery; power there has been restored. The toll from Monday's bombing of a school and aid site in Zaporizhzhia region has risen to at least 40 dead, according to Ukraine's president. Ukraine, Russia and the US plan trilateral talks in Abu