WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he has “confidence” in acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, who acknowledged Trump’s decision to hold up military aid to Ukraine was linked to his demand Kyiv investigate the Democratic National Committee and the 2016 election. Mulvaney’s statement Thursday brought a swift rebuke from Democrats, who cast Mulvaney’s words as an admission of wrongdoing. Trump’s personal lawyer issued a statement distancing the Republican president’s legal team from Mulvaney’s comments.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — President Donald Trump says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is offering assurances that the cease-fire he agreed to has not already broken down. Trump says on Twitter on Friday that Erdogan told him that “there was minor sniper and mortar fire that was quickly eliminated” and that he “very much wants the cease-fire, or pause, to work.”

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The world’s first female spacewalking team is making history high above Earth. NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir worked outside the International Space Station on Friday, the first time in a half-century of spacewalking that a woman floated out with a male crewmate. They replaced a broken part of the station’s power grid. America’s first female spacewalker, Kathy Sullivan, says it’s good to finally have enough women in the astronaut corps for this to happen.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate ticked up in September, as payrolls slid slightly. The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate bumped up one-tenth of a percentage point to 4%. The national unemployment rate was 3.5%. Surveys found Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force rose by 12,000, as seasonally adjusted non-farm payrolls dropped by 5,000, after hitting a record high earlier this year. The figures are preliminary and could change.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Leaders of a Pittsburgh synagogue where 11 worshippers were fatally shot last year say they want to renovate the building into what they hope will be a “center for Jewish life in the United States” and a symbol against hatred. Plans unveiled Friday include places for worship; memorial, education and social events; classrooms and exhibitions. Tree of Life’s Executive Director Barb Feige says returning to the building will honor the eight men and three women killed.

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (AP) — The father of a man charged with killing a New Kensington police officer two years ago will remain jailed until his son’s capital murder trial is completed. Gregory Baucum is facing witness intimidation charges stemming from his son’s case. Authorities say he sent multiple intimidating messages to a witness in January. Baucum’s lawyer argued Thursday that he’s entitled to be released on nominal bond under the state’s speedy trial rules. But a judge called Baucum a danger to the community.