An agency regulating U.S. communications across radio, TV, internet, and more.
The Federal Communications Commission has added "advanced robotic devices" — including humanoid robots, four‑legged machines and some connected power inverters — to a list that blocks new foreign-made models from US markets on national‑security and cybersecurity grounds. The rule has taken effect for models not yet authorised; existing authorised devices remain allowed while exemptions can be requested.
SpaceX plans to build a terrestrial cellular layer using EchoStar spectrum alongside its Starlink satellite network, aiming to challenge AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. The move follows a wave of satellites and small base stations, promising better coverage and higher bandwidth.
The US has imposed a 15% tariff and set minimum import prices on polysilicon and related products, effective in December, after a yearlong Commerce Department national security review. The order targets Chinese-dominated supply chains, offers incentives to expand domestic production and is prompting pushback from Beijing.
VinSpace has signed a contract with SpaceX to send its first satellites into orbit on a Transporter rideshare mission in 2027. The Hanoi-based company, part of Vietnam’s Vingroup, plans to develop and operate its satellites to test technology and support future commercial space services. The agreement aligns with Vietnam’s push to become a mid-level space power by 2030.
Unitree Robotics has priced its Shanghai Star Market IPO at 150.80-150.8 yuan per share, raising about $900 million and valuing the company around $9 billion. Demand from retail investors was exceptionally strong, underscoring appetite for humanoid robotics while questions linger on commercial viability and scale.
The White House has announced tariffs on drones and components to boost domestic production and safeguard national security. Drones with sensitive capabilities face a 100% levy, while smaller drones face 25%. The move, part of broader defense plans, has boosted drone-related stocks as investors weigh the shift toward onshoring U.S. manufacturing.
The Supreme Court has refused to rehear Donald Trump’s defamation and sex-abuse verdict cases involving E. Jean Carroll. The latest order leaves the $5 million defamation verdict intact and maintains a separate $83.3 million defamation award under review. The decision follows two earlier denials of petitions to reconsider.
The Telegraph and Independent reveal letters in which Natalie Harp describes feeling overlooked and loyal to Trump. The publications frame the correspondence as personal insight into the president’s inner circle, with reactions from allies and critics alike. The White House defends Harp amid ongoing scrutiny of her proximity to Trump.
Stars and Stripes has dismissed editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer and reporter Lara Korte after the Pentagon issued notices of separation citing insubordination. The journalists have filed a First Amendment lawsuit in Washington, DC, arguing the department is attempting to curb the paper's editorial independence after recent disputes over coverage and management changes.
Humanoid robots at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing have achieved sprint times under the human 100m world record, with Tiangong Ultra and Lightning showcasing rapid improvements amid U.S. tech scrutiny. The events feature 2,000+ robots across 51 contests, highlighting China’s push in robotics and AI integration.
The Fourth Circuit has set aside an FCC policy that extended the lowest unit charge for pre-election TV ads to political parties and joint fundraising committees. Republican committees plan to appeal to the Supreme Court as campaigns brace for the 2026 midterms. Democrats argue the ruling favors bigger war chests and stress grassroots fundraising.
The World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing have set three 100m sprint records with the Tiangong Ultra, outpacing human benchmarks and showcasing advances in embodied AI. The event also tests robots in real-world tasks like housework and hotel services, highlighting both capability gains and remaining limits.
Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte have filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., alleging retaliation for reporting on deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The Pentagon reportedly fired them last week, citing insubordination after a CBS interview. The case underscores tensions over editorial independence in a partially funded military newspaper.
President Donald Trump has said NBCMeet the Press host Kristen Welker will be reported to the Federal Communications Commission for what he called a "purposeful inaccuracy" after she said his endorsements have had "mixed results" this primary season. He named FCC chair Brendan Carr and urged the commission to act; broadcasters and rights groups are litigating alleged FCC pressure.
Jimmy Kimmel has said he will post his interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico to YouTube rather than air it on ABC, saying the FCC under President Donald Trump has threatened his show and ABC affiliates. ABC and Disney have sued the FCC over early licence reviews and new guidance on equal-time rules; other late-night hosts have moved candidate interviews online.
Bloomberg reports a settlement could come this weekend or Monday, with Warner Bros. shares rising 8.6%. Paramount asserts no transfer of control, the Ellison family retains majority voting interests.
The European Commission has fined X €120 million for deceptive blue‑check practices under the Digital Services Act. The U.S. Justice Department has filed to support X’s bid to annul the case at the EU General Court, marking a second recent intervention by the DOJ in Musk-owned ventures. The case tests EU tech rules and transatlantic regulatory frictions.
Chapek describes his Disney exit as a deliberate undermining by his predecessor Bob Iger, and recounts the board’s role, Iger’s return to the helm, and the ensuing financial and strategic strains on Disney through the pandemic and after.
David Ellison has closed the roughly $110 billion merger that combines Paramount and Warner Bros. into a single company rebranded Skydance. The deal has folded HBO Max and Paramount+ together under one owner, brought CBS and CNN into the same corporate roof, and left the new firm carrying heavy debt while promising film release minimums and editorial safeguards.
The FCC is considering a request that would allow political groups to run AI-generated robocalls without prior consent. The move has prompted warnings of misinformation and voter manipulation ahead of midterm elections. Public comment is open, with a decision expected later this fall.
SpaceX has warned that a growing number of satellite operators are not sharing orbital data, increasing the risk of collisions in Earth's orbit. Starlink has observed hundreds of near-miss events this year, including incidents where Starlink satellites had to alter course to avoid others. SpaceX says gaps in data collaboration heighten the danger as constellations expand, even as the company expands Starlink with plans for tens of thousands of satellites.
SpaceX has acquired up to 14 MHz of low-band 800 MHz spectrum, paving the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major US carrier. The deal, awaiting FCC approval, would merge satellite and terrestrial networks to boost indoor and dead-zone coverage. Shares in rival telecoms have fallen as investors reassess the landscape.
The Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products and any tools built with its models from government IT systems and to stop new purchases. The order, issued in late July and made public Monday, cites risks that sensitive U.S. data on systems used by government employees could be accessed from servers in China.
SpaceX has posted a strong third quarter, reporting revenue and earnings above expectations and marking a rare profit. Wall Street is weighing aggressive capex and a potential SpaceX–Tesla merger as the company expands Starlink, AI, and data-center initiatives amid a global push into artificial intelligence.