Federal agents search Rep. Ilhan Omar's home in criminal investigation weeks before midterms
Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant at Rep. Ilhan Omar's Washington, D.C.-area home early on October 12 as part of what the Justice Department called an ongoing federal criminal investigation, without detailing the allegations. Fox News, citing two sources close to the probe, reported the inquiry concerns immigration paperwork filed on Omar's behalf by her late father when she was a child, though the DOJ has not confirmed that focus. Omar, who is seeking re-election, called the search an attempt to weaponize federal law enforcement against her and said she "will not be silenced," while President Trump told reporters the search "has nothing to do with me." The timing, less than four weeks before the November 3 midterms, is an unusually aggressive step against a sitting member of Congress running for office.
Read more →Federal agents search Rep. Ilhan Omar's home in criminal investigation weeks before midterms
Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant at Rep. Ilhan Omar's Washington, D.C.-area home early on October 12 as part of what the Justice Department called an ongoing federal criminal investigation, without detailing the allegations. Fox News, citing two sources close to the probe, reported the inquiry concerns immigration paperwork filed on Omar's behalf by her late father when she was a child, though the DOJ has not confirmed that focus. Omar, who is seeking re-election, called the search an attempt to weaponize federal law enforcement against her and said she "will not be silenced," while President Trump told reporters the search "has nothing to do with me." The timing, less than four weeks before the November 3 midterms, is an unusually aggressive step against a sitting member of Congress running for office.
Trump claims Russia-Ukraine 'energy ceasefire' alongside Russian diesel deal; Kyiv says strikes continue
President Trump announced on October 11 that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate ceasefire on strikes against energy infrastructure, posting the claim on Truth Social without detailing its terms. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said it was the first he had heard of any such deal, and officials in Kyiv said Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities continued regardless; the Kremlin's Dmitry Peskov said only that "contacts are ongoing." The announcement followed Trump's October 9 disclosure of a separate arrangement under which Russia would supply more than 4.8 million tons of diesel to global markets in exchange for eased US sanctions on Russian fuel, a deal widely read as aimed at easing pump prices ahead of the US midterms; analysts said the volumes involved are unlikely to move prices much.
Read more →Trump claims Russia-Ukraine 'energy ceasefire' alongside Russian diesel deal; Kyiv says strikes continue
President Trump announced on October 11 that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate ceasefire on strikes against energy infrastructure, posting the claim on Truth Social without detailing its terms. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said it was the first he had heard of any such deal, and officials in Kyiv said Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities continued regardless; the Kremlin's Dmitry Peskov said only that "contacts are ongoing." The announcement followed Trump's October 9 disclosure of a separate arrangement under which Russia would supply more than 4.8 million tons of diesel to global markets in exchange for eased US sanctions on Russian fuel, a deal widely read as aimed at easing pump prices ahead of the US midterms; analysts said the volumes involved are unlikely to move prices much.
Beijing condemns Taiwan's National Day speech as Chinese military activity around island surges
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te used his October 10 National Day address to say the island "cherishes peace but will not give up freedom," framing a planned boost in defence spending as deterrence rather than provocation. China's Taiwan Affairs Office rejected the speech as disregarding facts and distorting the truth, with spokesperson Zhang Han accusing Lai of clinging to a "Taiwan independence" mindset; the rebuke follows Xi Jinping's own October 1 National Day speech reiterating opposition to independence. Taiwan's defence ministry reported 21 Chinese military aircraft and seven navy ships operating around the island in the 24 hours before the holiday. A senior US administration official welcomed Lai's commitment to peace, saying a routine holiday speech is no justification for coercive action.
Read more →Beijing condemns Taiwan's National Day speech as Chinese military activity around island surges
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te used his October 10 National Day address to say the island "cherishes peace but will not give up freedom," framing a planned boost in defence spending as deterrence rather than provocation. China's Taiwan Affairs Office rejected the speech as disregarding facts and distorting the truth, with spokesperson Zhang Han accusing Lai of clinging to a "Taiwan independence" mindset; the rebuke follows Xi Jinping's own October 1 National Day speech reiterating opposition to independence. Taiwan's defence ministry reported 21 Chinese military aircraft and seven navy ships operating around the island in the 24 hours before the holiday. A senior US administration official welcomed Lai's commitment to peace, saying a routine holiday speech is no justification for coercive action.
Israeli strikes kill five in Gaza as fatalities since ceasefire mount a year on from the truce
Israeli strikes on October 10 killed at least five Palestinians in two separate attacks, one near Panda Mall in Gaza City and another in the Tuffah neighbourhood, Gaza civil defence and medics said, part of a stepped-up campaign Israel says targets Hamas members it accuses of rearming and attacking in violation of last October's ceasefire. Gaza health officials say roughly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce took hold, with the toll continuing to climb a year after the US-brokered deal ended the war. Humanitarian conditions remain dire, with large numbers of displaced Palestinians still living in tent camps and makeshift shelters despite the formal end to fighting.
Read more →Israeli strikes kill five in Gaza as fatalities since ceasefire mount a year on from the truce
Israeli strikes on October 10 killed at least five Palestinians in two separate attacks, one near Panda Mall in Gaza City and another in the Tuffah neighbourhood, Gaza civil defence and medics said, part of a stepped-up campaign Israel says targets Hamas members it accuses of rearming and attacking in violation of last October's ceasefire. Gaza health officials say roughly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce took hold, with the toll continuing to climb a year after the US-brokered deal ended the war. Humanitarian conditions remain dire, with large numbers of displaced Palestinians still living in tent camps and makeshift shelters despite the formal end to fighting.