BEIRUT – Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels. But President Donald Trump says the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports will stay in force until Tehran reaches a deal with the U.S., including on its nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted Friday on X that the crucial waterway is now fully open to commercial vessels. This comes as a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon appears to hold. Trump initially celebrated the Iranian announcement. But minutes later, he issued another post saying the U.S. Navy’s blockade would continue.
PROVO, Utah – The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk wants a judge to ban cameras from the courtroom and says live broadcasts of the prosecution are violating his right to a fair trial. Tyler Robinson was back in a Utah state court Friday as his attorneys press their claims that biased coverage is tainting potential jurors in his aggravated murder case. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty for Robinson should he be convicted in the Sept. 10 shooting of the conservative activist, who was addressing a crowd of thousands on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Media organizations, prosecutors and Kirk’s widow want the court to allow cameras.
LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has no plans to resign over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as U.K. ambassador to Washington, despite Mandelson failing security checks. Starmer says he was unaware that the Foreign Office overruled security officials’ recommendations in early 2025. He called that “staggering” and “unforgivable.” The top Foreign Office civil servant, Olly Robbins, took the fall for the decision and resigned late Thursday. Mandelson was considered risky due to his past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer fired Mandelson in September 2025 after evidence showed he lied about his links to Epstein. Opposition leaders demand Starmer’s resignation. He said he will statement to Parliament on the issue on Monday.
President Donald Trump has offered Cameron Hamilton the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s permanent administrator. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Hamilton, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, was fired as FEMA’s acting leader last year after opposing proposals to dismantle the agency. He testified against the idea, saying it wasn’t in the best interest of the American people. FEMA has lacked a permanent leader throughout Trump’s second term, which critics say undermines its effectiveness. Hamilton’s nomination comes as Trump wants to shift more disaster responsibility to states. Hamilton would need Senate confirmation, and it’s unclear how he would lead FEMA.
– The Associated Press
