The Block

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.

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 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.

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 The decision restores press entry rights that had been revoked, and is being widely covered as a significant check on presidential authority over media access.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.

Meta has refused to run advertisements for a production of Virginia Woolf's 'A Room of One's Own' at the Teatre del Raval in Barcelona, Spain, according to the Guardian. The rejection of promotional material for a classic literary work has drawn attention to how the company's automated advertising review systems handle cultural and arts content.

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.

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 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.

A Sudanese envoy says talks with the United States were blocked over a visa issue involving army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The claim highlights mounting friction between Khartoum and Washington as Sudan's war continues, with diplomatic engagement stalling over questions of access and recognition of the military leadership.

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.

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.

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 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 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 once again blocked the use of a Republican-favored congressional map in Missouri, stopping the state from using district boundaries the Court had previously rejected. The repeated intervention underscores an ongoing legal fight over redistricting in the state, with GOP lawmakers pushing for maps that favor their party and courts repeatedly stepping in to halt their use.

The European Central Bank has blocked a proposal to relax reserve requirements for euro-denominated stablecoins. The decision means issuers must continue holding conservative, high-quality reserves backing their tokens, a stance the ECB argues protects financial stability and the euro's monetary role. Crypto industry figures had pushed for lighter rules to make euro stablecoins more competitive with dollar-based rivals, and the block is likely to frustrate those efforts.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe says he is disappointed after a Republican-favored congressional map in the state was blocked again. The ruling stalls the GOP effort to redraw districts, and Kehoe's reaction signals the battle over Missouri's political maps is set to continue in the courts.

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.

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.

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.

A coastal storm has knocked down trees and power lines across several towns, leaving a number of roads impassable, according to WFSB. Emergency crews are working to clear blocked routes, and residents are being urged to avoid downed wires and travel only when necessary as conditions continue.

A march by the Orange Order along the Garvaghy Road has been halted after a court granted an injunction against the parade. The route, in Portadown, Northern Ireland, has long been contested between the Protestant order and nationalist residents. The legal move stops the procession from going ahead, and the decision is drawing attention in Northern Ireland where such parades remain a flashpoint.