Author: Loisa Lane

The U.S. State Department has ordered the departure of non-essential embassy personnel and their families from Saudi Arabia, citing increased attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants. Other U.S. embassies in the region have shifted to restricted operations amid ongoing security concerns, including recent strikes on airports and critical infrastructure.

The Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that prevents the Trump administration from enforcing a policy restricting medical treatments for transgender inmates. The policy proposed ending surgical and hormone therapies, affecting nearly 1,000 individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria within federal prisons.

A new attack advertisement features Amy Acton’s estranged mother accusing her of dishonesty and supporting her political opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy. Acton’s family condemned the ad as “despicable,” while Ramaswamy defended it, asserting that many close to Acton advise against her candidacy. The ad’s origins remain unclear.

U.S. diplomatic missions in the Middle East issued security warnings for Americans due to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a recent strike on Riyadh’s international airport that killed an American. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant amid potential travel disruptions.

Dan Osborn, an independent candidate for Nebraska’s Senate seat, will launch his campaign Saturday with progressive Rep. Ro Khanna, who is supporting him against incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts. Osborn’s campaign focuses on transparency and accountability, particularly regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case and its implications for voters.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Israel on Monday, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of upcoming elections. The Pentagon did not comment on the visit, which comes as discussions about future military operations against Iran intensify following remarks from President Trump.

President Trump dismissed concerns regarding a challenging election year for Republicans as he prepared for a campaign trip to Kansas, two weeks before the midterm elections. Nancy Cordes provided the report highlighting the President’s comments amid political uncertainties.

Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former OpenAI engineer, was arrested for allegedly installing a listening device in an executive conference room. Prosecutors stated he was in contact with a Saudi royal and planned to relocate to Riyadh. Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting he aimed to deploy additional surveillance devices at OpenAI.

President Trump will resume his campaign activities on Monday in Kansas, where recent polls indicate Republican Senator Roger Marshall is one point behind Democrat Adam Hamilton. The midterm elections are approaching, intensifying the political landscape in the state. Caitlin Huey Burns reports.

The Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico remains highly competitive, largely dependent on voter turnout. Talarico gains traction from economic concerns among Democrats, while Paxton counts on traditional Republican support and alignment with Trump.