The Latest: Trump administration appeals latest ruling halting his mail voting order

President Donald Trump 's administration has appealed the latest ruling blocking his mail voting order from taking effect, the latest twist in a court fight unfolding days before the first states begin sending out mail ballots.

The notice of appeal filed Friday comes after a federal judge in Boston handed down a new decision blocking implementation of an executive order from Trump for the next two weeks. The Supreme Court previously allowed the plan to move ahead on procedural grounds, but hasn’t decided whether it’s legal.

Also, Trump has reached an awkward moment in his second term as the U.S.-Israel war against Iran began six months ago Friday. It’s a notable milestone for a Republican leader who repeatedly assured Americans that attacking Iran would be a “little excursion” over in weeks.

Here's the Latest:

FBI no longer treating an applicant’s experience with prostitution as automatic bar against hiring

The FBI is no longer treating an applicant’s prior encounters with prostitutes as an automatic bar against employment.

The change comes amid broader concerns about a loosening of recruitment requirements at the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency.

The bureau still intends to dismiss applicants who are revealed during the vetting process to have engaged in prostitution within the last 10 years, three or more times overall or while in a position of trust.

That’s according to guidance issued this past spring and described by a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss internal decision-making and spoke on condition of anonymity.

For others, it will allow for consideration of the context of the conduct rather than treat it as grounds for an automatic rejection from the FBI’s hiring process.

▶ Read more

— By Eric Tucker

National Park Service backs Trump’s arch, despite its impact on Washington’s sightline

Its report released Friday says the 250-foot-tall (76-meter) memorial arch is likely to disrupt the historical significance of dozens of sites near its planned location adjacent to Memorial Bridge.

Many of Washington’s monuments, buildings and sites have been carefully planned over decades to reflect significant moments in the nation’s history and evoke symbolism in being connected by sightline to other sites. arch will disturb the sightline between more iconic Washington landmarks than anticipated, report says

But the Park Service report says “the same characteristics that make Memorial Circle sensitive from a preservation perspective are also the characteristics that make it the historically appropriate location for the undertaking.”

Far-right British provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos arrested by US immigration enforcement

Immigration officials said that Yiannopoulos was arrested at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

They accused him of entering the United States legally in May 2019 through New York City. An immigration judge issued a final order of removal on July 22 after Yiannopoulos failed to show up for his immigration hearing, a DHS spokesperson wrote in an email.

“He chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation’s laws,” a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security wrote in an emailed statement.

ICE’s online detainee locator doesn’t say where Yiannopoulos is being held but directs family and legal representatives to the agency’s office in Alexandria, Louisiana, a deportation hub for international flights.

Sen. Bernie Sanders ties progressive platform to Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights message

“As you all well know, the message he delivered back in 1963 is as true today as it was back then,” Sanders told a crowd of demonstrators from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Sanders addressed the crowd on the 63rd anniversary of King’s iconic 1963 March on Washington. Sanders noted the official mission of the march was “for jobs and freedom,” noting the economic dimension of King’s message.

Sanders also made an appeal to Black voters for his progressive vision.

“While this economic crisis impacts all of our people, all races, creeds, and people in every corner of our country, it continues to disproportionately affect the Black community,” said Sanders.

International Space Station gets a call from Trump

Trump joined a call to American astronauts on the International Space Station during a Friday visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Officials said it was the first time a sitting president called the station from Mission Control.

Trump congratulated the crew and said he admired their bravery.

“I wouldn’t do it. I will tell you right now, I hate to admit it,” Trump said. “But some people love it more than anything. And you have amazing courage.”

Crew members talked about their time on the station, saying they’re preparing for an upcoming spacewalk. They said they were excited to hear about Trump’s newly announced U.S. Space Academy.

When they get back to Earth, they will be invited to the White House, Trump said: “We’ll see you in the Oval Office, OK?”

Trump administration to appeal mail ballot decision

The White House plans to appeal a judge’s order blocking changes to mail voting ahead of the midterms.

Spokeswoman Lauren Bis said in statement Friday that the Trump administration will immediately appeal the order handed down late Thursday by a Boston-based judge.

Under Trump’s executive order, the U.S. Postal Service could refuse to deliver ballots from states that do not submit lists of eligible voters and follow a uniform envelope style.

With the first mail ballots set to go out next week, U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani found that states don’t have the time or money to produce new mail ballots and upload voter data.

Bis called the plan a series of commonsense measures that would protect ballot security.

A lawsuit from Democrat-controlled states says the new rules would cause chaos and leave out eligible voters.

Jeffries says Dems still could win majority in House despite GOP-led redistricting

In an interview with AP during Friday’s march for civil rights on the National Mall, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats could still win a majority in the U.S. House despite GOP-led redistricting efforts in Southern states.

“We’re going to win all across the country, up and down the ballot,” Jeffries said. “We only have to flip about five or six seats, and that’s really what we’re going to do.”

Egypt acknowledges US ban on government-owned bank’s UAE branches

Egypt’s foreign ministry and central bank are communicating with U.S. officials with regard to a recent decision by the U.S. Treasury to limit the operations of Banque Misr in the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement issued by the Central Bank of Egypt on Friday.

“The CBE affirms that this measure is limited to the bank’s branches in the UAE and only to its dollar transfers,” read the statement adding that the ban does not affect any other Egyptian bank and does not even extend to the Banque Misr’s operations inside Egypt or to any of its overseas branches.

“The Central Bank of Egypt affirms the strength and resilience of all banks operating in Egypt,” said the statement.

The Trump administration announced that it is taking steps to sever the Emirati branches of Banque Misr, Egypt’s second-largest bank, from access to the U.S. financial system on grounds that the financial institution was serving as an economic lifeline to Tehran’s leadership.

California sues Trump administration for ending state’s offshore wind project

State officials announced the lawsuit Friday over the administration buying back the lease for Golden State Wind. They say the cancellation will harm the state’s clean energy and climate goals, and economy.

The Trump administration is buying back offshore wind leases from energy companies as it seeks to discourage the expansion of wind energy in favor of fossil fuels.

Golden State Wind can recover about $120 million in lease fees after the same amount is invested in oil and gas development.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum says companies are shifting investment back toward dependable, secure energy infrastructure.

Trump loses again in bid to erase his hush money conviction

A federal judge rejected the president’s bid to move the state court case to federal court and have it dismissed on presidential immunity grounds.

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein reiterated his earlier finding against Trump, saying that the reasons Trump cited for renewing his request were “neither new nor legally sufficient.”

The judge added: “He has failed to show good cause and diligence.”

It is the third time Hellerstein has blocked Trump from having the U.S. District Court in Manhattan seize control of the case from the New York court where he was tried and convicted.

Trump announces new Space Academy to join military academies

Speaking at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Friday, Trump said he is creating a U.S. Space Academy to train future generations for ambitious space missions.

Looking ahead to future missions to Mars and beyond, Trump said the nation needs to train “an entire generation of skilled service members, engineers and civil operators.”

Trump said he would soon decide a location for the academy, which he said will match the rigor of West Point, the Air Force Academy and other military academies.

“I said I’ll do it, but it’s got to be top line, it’s got to be the equivalent of the others,” he said.

Trump signed an executive order on Friday creating the new academy.

Trump sends good luck to team involved in weekend Roman Space Telescope launch

Trump is sending his best wishes to a team that on Sunday will launch the Roman Space Telescope, which NASA says will help settle questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets and astrophysics.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Trump noted the telescope will “help unlock the secrets of the universe.”

“To everyone involved here at NASA, good luck this weekend,” he added. “It’s a big deal.”

The telescope is named after Nancy Grace Roman, the first woman to hold an executive position at NASA and who helped with development of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Vance will speak at Republican Jewish leaders gathering – but his speech isn’t set to be public

Leading GOP voices are planning to address the Republican Jewish Coalition annual conference – but Vance’s remarks are listed as closed to reporters.

Vance, Indiana Sen. Jim Banks and Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, are all speaking at the gathering being held Sunday and Monday in Las Vegas, but are doing so behind closed doors only.

The public speech program is packed with other major GOP leaders, however. That includes members of Trump’s Cabinet, senators, House lawmakers and candidates vying for key Senate seats in North Carolina, Georgia and Michigan during November’s midterm elections.

Vance is widely seen as a 2028 presidential hopeful, and addressing the influential gathering is common for those likely to run for president. Also on the public speaking list is Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 presidential candidate now running for Ohio governor.

Top Democrat on Armed Services committee calls Iran war a ‘policy failure’

Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island said Trump promised he would destroy Iran’s nuclear program, eliminate its missile and drone arsenal, and topple the regime in a matter of weeks.

“Six months later, not a single objective has been achieved,” Reed said. “Indeed, he has weakened our position in the Middle East and the world significantly.”

He called it a policy failure of “historic consequence” and said it was past time for accountability.

Jeffries says he doesn’t regret meeting with Jared Kushner

In an interview with The Associated Press, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he did not regret meeting with Trump’s son-in-law.

Jeffries said he still expected Democrats to retake control of the U.S. House despite the party’s internal debates between its progressive and moderate wings, as well as Republican-led congressional redistricting efforts across the country.

“We’re going to win all across the country, up and down the ballot. We only have to flip about five or six seats, and that’s really what we’re going to do. It is a call to action,” said Jeffries.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s son says the state of the country would disappoint his father

Martin Luther King III told the AP during Friday’s voting right rally at the National Mall that the work of the Civil Rights movement “is further eroding” in the wake of the Supreme Courts’ April ruling that reinterpreted key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

King III also said that his father, who worked so hard for that law, would be disappointed with the state of the country.

“Had he lived, we’d be on a totally different trajectory,” King said. “These would not be issues; they would have been resolved.”

US revokes visa of former Iraqi finance minister who won 2022 ‘International Women of Courage’ award

The Trump administration has revoked the U.S. visa of a former Iraqi finance minister who was honored in 2022 with an “International Women of Courage” award by the State Department.

The department said Friday it had revoked the visa of Taif Sami Mohammed Al Shakarchi, who served as Iraq’s finance minister from 2022 until July. Earlier this month she was implicated by Iraqi authorities in a possible corruption scheme.

The department said her visa was revoked after the FBI added her to its “terrorism watchlist.” It was not clear why she had been added to the watchlist but officials said she had left the United States before her visa revoked.

US Treasury targets Egyptian Bank’s UAE branches under ‘Operation Economic Outcast’

The Trump administration is taking steps to limit an Egyptian bank’s operations in the United Arab Emirates, accusing the financial institution of serving as an economic lifeline to Tehran’s leadership as the U.S. war in Iran reaches the six-month mark.

Under a new rule proposed by the U.S. Treasury, the Emirati branches of Banque Misr, Egypt’s second-largest bank, would be severed from access to the U.S. financial system.

This comes after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a presser earlier in the week announced “Operation Economic Outcast,” warning countries that do business with Iran to sever their financial ties or face retaliation from the U.S.

US goals have shifted after 6 months of Iran war. The Strait of Hormuz is now a top concern

When Trump launched the war with Iran in late February, he forecast it would last four weeks to five weeks. Six months later, there still is no off-ramp in sight, despite Trump’s repeated assertions that the war has been won or a deal to resolve it was nearly complete.

A June memorandum of understanding designed to pave the way to end the war has fallen by the wayside. U.S. stockpiles of key weapons have diminished, and the Republican administration has pivoted to pressuring Iran economically rather than conducting more strikes.

The administration described various goals for the war:

▶ Read more about these objectives and where they stand

Sharpton says this year’s march is the most important yet

“We’ve been doing these marches for years, but this is probably the most important because this is the first year we are marching that the voting rights bill has been nullified by the Supreme Court,” Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The march opened with prayer and statements from Interfaith Alliance representatives who spoke on diversity, equity and inclusion practices, voting rights and systemic racism.

Thousands converge on National Mall in Washington to support voting rights

Friday’s march follows changes to voting laws and redistricting that civil rights groups have condemned as detrimental to racial justice and Black Americans in particular.

The 2026 “Defend the Vote” March on Washington, is organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III and echoes the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 march.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark April decision in Louisiana v. Callais reinterpreted the Voting Rights Act, allowing Southern states to redraw congressional maps in ways that erode equal representation in Black communities.

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The Iran war has changed the Mideast, but not in the way the US and Israel had hoped

It’s been six months since the United States and Israel attacked Iran with the perennial goal of transforming the Middle East through military force. The region has changed, but not in the way they had hoped.

The Islamic Republic survived the assassination of its top leaders and weeks of heavy bombing, and found a potent form of leverage in the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf Arab nations saw worrying gaps open up in the American security umbrella they have relied on for decades — and some are looking at alternatives.

Israel has once again thrashed its enemies without defeating them, and after nearly three years of war in Gaza and new land seizures, is at risk of a generational rupture with the U.S., its closest ally. Hopes of normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia — another enduring U.S. and Israeli aspiration — have dimmed even further.

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UN shipping regulator says 19 seafarers have been killed in Persian Gulf during Iran war

The International Maritime Organization said Friday that 19 seafarers have been killed in attacks on international shipping since the Iran war began, and at least 6,000 seafarers aboard hundreds of ships remain stranded and unable to leave.

The IMO said it has verified at least 70 attacks on international shipping in the Persian Gulf since the war began on Feb. 28.

“Thousands of seafarers in the region continue to live and work under conditions of heightened risk and uncertainty,” IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said. He urged practical solutions and cooperation to restore freedom of navigation.