Thursday, October 15th

What happened

The Consumer Price Index rose 3.7% over the year to September, accelerating from August. Prices climbed 0.6% from the prior month, led by higher energy costs linked to disruptions from the Iran conflict. Gasoline accounted for more than half of the monthly increase. The report landed as the last major inflation reading before the midterm elections, with affordability central to voters’ concerns. The White House called the energy increase temporary and said stable food prices were helping contain costs. Democratic officials blamed Trump’s policies, including the Iran war, for rising costs. Core inflation also picked up, while wage growth trailed prices. The Federal Reserve meets next on October 27–28.

What happened

Ukrainian officials said an unannounced speed restriction on military Starlink and Starshield terminals disrupted drone missions, frontline logistics and efforts to intercept Russian drones. Connectivity was partly restored, but Ukraine said it still needed the limit removed. Starlink and Starshield are SpaceX satellite services that Ukraine uses for military communications and drones; Starshield is the military service controlled by the U.S. government. The dispute followed President Donald Trump’s claim that Russia and Ukraine accepted an energy ceasefire, which Russia did not confirm. Ukraine said it paused strikes on Russian energy targets while Russia kept hitting Ukrainian energy sites. Ukraine said missed warnings and satellite limits could weaken defenses.

What happened

Federal investigators issued more than a dozen grand-jury subpoenas, including to relatives of Rep. Ilhan Omar, after Homeland Security Investigations agents searched her Washington home under a judge-approved warrant. Investigators are examining whether Omar or her late father made false or incomplete statements in immigration paperwork, including about her age. Omar says she came to the United States from Somalia as a child refugee and became a citizen in 2000 at age 17 through her father. Omar denies wrongdoing and calls the case political intimidation; the administration says the search was judicially authorized. Agents seized her phone, other devices, notebooks and passport. No charges or citizenship decision have been announced.