The Block

US intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia has not ruled out pursuing nuclear weapons, even as American senators move to block a proposed deal with Riyadh backed by President Trump. The combination of intelligence findings and congressional pushback has reignited debate in Washington over nuclear proliferation risks in the Gulf and the terms of any US-Saudi cooperation agreement.

The United States has rejected a United Nations declaration on pandemic preparedness, preventing its adoption by consensus. The move blocks a unified international statement on coordinating responses to future global health emergencies. Details on the US objections and possible next steps at the UN remain limited as outlets pick up the story.

The US Senate has voted down a war powers resolution intended to rebuke President Trump over military action against Iran. The measure would have sought to limit or block further hostilities without congressional approval, but it failed to advance. The rejection keeps Trump's Iran policy intact and underscores the ongoing divide in Congress over presidential war authority and US involvement in the conflict.

President Trump is moving to withhold roughly $800 million in funding that Congress has already approved, according to Reuters and other outlets. The effort raises questions over executive authority and the separation of powers, since appropriating money is a core congressional power. The dispute is likely to draw scrutiny from lawmakers and legal challenges over whether the administration can refuse to spend money mandated by law.

The Trump administration is using a rarely invoked authority to rescind nearly $1 billion in federal spending that Congress had already approved. The move, reported by PBS, reignites debate over presidential power over the purse and whether the executive branch can block money lawmakers appropriated, a fight likely to draw legal challenges and pushback from Capitol Hill.

Massad Boulos, a senior US adviser on Africa, said Washington's move to block Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan from attending the UN General Assembly is part of broader American efforts to end Sudan's devastating war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces. The decision to deny entry signals mounting US pressure on Sudan's warring parties as international frustration grows over the humanitarian crisis.

A federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration's ban blocking certain journalists from White House press access. The decision restores press entry rights that had been revoked, and is being widely covered as a significant check on presidential authority over media access. Supporters of the ruling call it a win for press freedom, while critics of judicial intervention are expected to push back.

The US Supreme Court has blocked a Trump-backed Republican redraw of Missouri's congressional districts from being used in the upcoming midterm elections. The ruling stops the new map, which critics said was designed to entrench Republican advantage, from taking effect. The decision is a setback for Trump and Missouri Republicans who pushed the redistricting effort, and it keeps the existing district boundaries in place for the midterms.

The Trump administration is seeking to block the restoration of climate change and diversity-related information at US historical sites. The move targets materials previously removed or altered from exhibits and signage at federally managed locations. Critics see it as part of a broader effort to reshape how history and science are presented on public lands, while supporters argue the content was politicised.

The US Supreme Court has blocked the Trump-backed Republican redraw of Missouri's congressional map, halting new district boundaries that were set to reshape the state's US House delegation. The decision pauses the map while legal challenges proceed, a significant setback for Republicans who pushed the redrawing to gain an extra congressional seat.

The US Supreme Court has blocked for the third time a Republican-drawn congressional map in Missouri, halting its use while litigation continues. The repeated interventions keep the state's district lines in flux heading into upcoming elections, and the ruling is drawing attention from voting-rights advocates and Republican lawmakers who spar over partisan gerrymandering and the court's role in election map disputes.

The White House is moving to block $810 million in previously approved federal funding using a pocket rescission, a budget maneuver that lets a president propose canceling appropriated funds late enough in the fiscal year that they expire without congressional approval. The move bypasses lawmakers and is likely to draw legal challenges and criticism from Congress over executive control of spending.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is pressing the DC Circuit to vacate a drone flight restriction that effectively criminalized recording immigration agents from the air. The group argues the restriction violates First Amendment rights by blocking documentation of federal immigration enforcement. The case is drawing attention amid ongoing debate over transparency and accountability in immigration operations.

The US Supreme Court on Friday again blocked Missouri from using a congressional map redrawn to give Republicans an edge in November's midterm elections. The order came less than two months before the vote, leaving election officials with little time to adjust plans. Commenters welcomed the ruling as unexpected good news from a court that has often backed redistricting efforts favorable to Republicans.

Meta says it will run advertisements for a documentary about Elon Musk after initially appearing to reject or block the promotion, according to TechCrunch. The reversal means the film's marketers can now use Meta's ad platforms to reach audiences. The episode has drawn attention to how Meta handles ads touching on Musk, a frequent rival of Mark Zuckerberg's company on tech and political fronts.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against a War Powers resolution aimed at blocking US military action against Iran, defying most of his party once again. The vote adds to a string of occasions where Fetterman has split from fellow Democrats, particularly on foreign policy and Israel- and Iran-related issues, drawing criticism from progressive voters and praise from moderates.

The White House has barred CNN from covering President Trump on behalf of the major television networks as he travels to Tennessee. The move blocks the network from providing pooled coverage of the president's trip, raising fresh concerns about press access to the administration. Details about why CNN was excluded and whether other outlets objected have not been made clear.

The US Supreme Court has once again blocked a Republican-backed congressional voting map in Missouri, halting the redrawn district boundaries from taking effect. It is the latest in a series of interventions by the court in redistricting disputes, and the renewed legal battle over Missouri's map is drawing national attention to how district lines are drawn and their impact on representation.

The US Supreme Court has, for the third time, refused to let Missouri Republicans use new congressional maps drawn to favor their party. The denial leaves existing district boundaries in place for now. The repeated rejections highlight ongoing legal battles over partisan gerrymandering in the state, with Republicans pushing redrawn maps and courts so far blocking their use.

The US Supreme Court has once again blocked the use of a Republican-favored congressional map in Missouri, rejecting the state's redrawn district boundaries. It is at least the second time the justices have intervened over the map. The ruling reignites debate over partisan gerrymandering and voting rights, with Republicans in Missouri pushing for districts that favor their party and critics welcoming the court's refusal to allow the map to stand.

Two Algerian military transport aircraft reportedly flew through Polish airspace while heading to Russia, drawing attention because of the EU's sanctions regime against Moscow over the war in Ukraine. The flights raise questions about why the aircraft were allowed passage and what cargo or purpose the missions involved, with critics accusing European authorities of ignoring the matter.

A proposed federal bill would require VPN providers, internet service providers, and DNS services to block access to foreign piracy sites. The measure would shift enforcement responsibilities to the companies that keep people connected, rather than targeting the sites directly. If adopted, it could change how Americans access parts of the internet and raise fresh debate over censorship, due process, and the reach of anti-piracy enforcement.

Amazon has blocked Meta's Muse AI shopping agent from accessing its platform, according to a report by The Register. The move prevents Meta's AI assistant from browsing or purchasing on Amazon's behalf, highlighting growing tensions over whether third-party AI agents should be allowed to interact with retail sites. The standoff is being discussed as a sign of broader battles over control of AI-driven commerce.