Tuesday, October 13th

What happened

Federal Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Washington-area home on Monday under a warrant approved by a judge. The Justice Department described the action as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation. The search came about three weeks before the midterm elections, when Omar is seeking reelection. Justice Department practice cautions against investigative steps timed to influence elections, though no blanket rule bars action within 60 days. Trump administration officials have alleged immigration or marriage fraud; Omar denies the claims. Omar called the search political targeting and said, “I will not be silenced.” Agents were seen carrying boxes from the home. The DOJ did not publicly specify the investigation’s focus, and no charges had been announced.

What happened

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement kept Riyadh’s airport shut after attacks killed at least 14 people and injured more than 300. Saudi authorities extended the suspension through at least October 17 for safety checks. The attacks come as a Yemen ceasefire that had mostly held since 2022 has unraveled. Fighting has widened between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis called the strikes retaliation for Saudi aggression and blockade. Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said the response would be equally serious. President Donald Trump said he was considering whether the United States would join Saudi operations.

What happened

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia violated a proposed ceasefire on energy attacks after President Donald Trump announced both sides had agreed to one. Russian strikes hit Ukrainian energy sites after Trump’s announcement, including a Kharkiv power plant and gas infrastructure, causing fires and outages. Russia has long targeted Ukraine’s power system, while Ukraine has struck Russian refineries, tightening energy supplies before winter. Trump said Russian diesel sales would lower fuel prices, and his administration eased sanctions to allow imports. His administration also warned Kyiv and Europe that U.S. intelligence and weapons support could be curtailed unless Ukraine stopped deep strikes. The ceasefire terms remain unclear.