American businessman and government appointee
This week has seen major moves in AI infrastructure financing and buildouts. SpaceX has released renderings for Terafab, a more-than-100-million-square-foot semiconductor factory it plans in Texas that it values at at least $16.8bn for the initial phase. Separately, Nvidia has been reported to be negotiating a $250bn guarantee to back OpenAI’s proposed 10-gigawatt Ohio data‑centre lease and construction debt.
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.
A wave of government-backed cooking shows and dietary guidance has proponents arguing nutritious, affordable meals can beat fast food. Kennedy-led initiatives are highlighting home cooking as a public-health strategy amid rising costs and chronic disease concerns.
The U.S. has broadened the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, adding 43 entities and expanding restrictions on goods linked to Xinjiang. Beijing condemns the move as a unilateral sanction and vows to take necessary measures. The expansion raises questions for global supply chains in electronics, batteries, and consumer goods.
President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders that narrow who can claim birthright citizenship, targeting birth tourism and expanding exclusions for certain foreign-affiliated parents. The measures follow a June Supreme Court ruling that struck down a broader Trump effort; legal experts and critics say the new orders will face immediate court challenges.
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.
President Trump has signed an executive order directing federal health officials to cut the federal recommended childhood vaccine list, to split the combined MMR vaccine into separate measles, mumps and rubella doses once single‑disease products are available, and to space routine immunisations across separate medical visits. Public health groups and drugmakers have said the changes lack scientific support and will increase missed vaccinations during a major U.S. measles outbreak.
Canada and the United States have resumed intensive talks to avert steep US tariffs that could take effect this week. Ottawa has offered concessions, including removing a retaliatory auto tariff, while Washington has pressed provinces to lift bans on US alcohol and pushed demands on market access and content rules for autos. Negotiators are still finalising details.
President Donald Trump has named Will Scharf as White House counsel and assistant to the president, effective Sept. 1. Scharf has served as White House staff secretary and chaired the National Capital Planning Commission; he has represented Trump in major cases, including at the Supreme Court. The change comes weeks after Trump elevated other former personal lawyers to senior legal roles.
The State Department has revoked more than 175,000 visas under the Trump-era crackdown, citing law-enforcement encounters and national-security concerns. The moves highlight a tightening of screening, including birth-tourism concerns, and present a challenge to migrants and those seeking studies, exchange programs and journalism access.
Anthropic is aiming for a public listing this fall after surging run-rate revenue and multi-billion-dollar computing partnerships. Investors are weighing regulatory and safety concerns as competition with OpenAI and Chinese peers intensifies, with Anthropic signaling gains in Claude Code and Mythos while market sentiment remains volatile.
Anthropic and OpenAI are preparing for public markets, with valuations drawing scrutiny as investors weigh potential competition from cheaper Chinese models. Experts warn that a price war could threaten the AI boom, while a handful of financiers argue the sector remains heavily skewed toward a few players.
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.
Global markets have steadied as US retail data suggests consumer spending is softer while inflation trends remain in check. Traders are watching for Federal Reserve guidance as major indices hover near records after a week of mixed signals across equities, bonds and currencies.
The Kennedy Center dispute has intensified over the past days as a federal judge has tightened constraints on the Trump-backed renaming plan. DOJ lawyers argue the center’s renovation and rebranding are essential to prevent ongoing deterioration, while the board presses to restore President Trump’s name amid a broader legal battle with Congress and critics watching closely.
A close Trump aide, Natalie Harp, continues to draw scrutiny as reports detail her proximity to the president and influence over information reaching him. She is described as the so-called “Human Printer,” carrying and presenting positive material, and has become a focal point in discussions about governance and access while Trump engages in high-profile events.
IndyCar races through Washington, D.C., as part of the Freedom 250 celebration for America’s 250th birthday. Donald Trump waves the green flag to start the race, with a front-row audience including key allies and cabinet members. The event blends spectacle with political theatrics in the nation’s capital.
Canada has walked away from trade talks with the United States after negotiations collapsed over US demands that Ottawa treat Quebecs French-language protections and cultural subsidies as negotiable. Ottawa has faced new US tariffs on roughly $20bn of exports and has vowed dollar-for-dollar retaliation; Quebecs government and voters have backed the prime ministers decision.
Fujifilm has opened a new fabrication building in Japan to triple production of post-CMP cleaners used in semiconductor wafer processing, addressing supply bottlenecks triggered by global data-center expansion.
Transcripts show JPMorgan's Staley disclosed sensitive JPMorgan details to Epstein; lawmakers question if the former Barclays chief exploited access. Staley defends his actions, saying he believed he could share information when appropriate. The panel highlights ongoing scrutiny into Epstein’s elite network.
A federal judge has ruled that the Department of Defense acted illegally when it designated Anthropic a supply‑chain risk and barred agencies from enforcing related directives. Judge Rita Lin has vacated the designation, found the actions retaliatory and ordered agencies to rescind guidance; the government is expected to appeal.
President Donald Trump has publicly defended rapid construction of AI data centres, saying communities that oppose them will fall "backwards and poor," even as polls show roughly seven in 10 Americans oppose local data‑centre projects over concerns about energy, water and noise. Governors and lawmakers of both parties are imposing pauses or stricter rules ahead of the midterms.
The US is reviewing a position on the Falkland Islands amid reports it could pressure allies to meet defence spending targets. Britain reiterates the islanders’ wish to remain British, while Argentina’s claim remains unresolved. The UK warns that sovereignty rests with the islanders and will defend their right to self-determination.
French president Emmanuel Macron has opened a two-day International Space Summit in Paris that has gathered officials, astronauts, researchers and industry leaders from about 120 countries to press Europe to build sovereign space capabilities, debate regulation and seek commercial deals. U.S. companies SpaceX and Blue Origin are absent after White House concerns over the event’s framing.
Trump’s White House modernization, including a 22,000-square-foot ballroom, faces legal scrutiny as the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks a halt pending formal reviews. NCPC leadership shifts and ongoing construction prompt questions about approvals, timelines, and the project’s scope.
Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández has been cleared by a Honduran judge in a Pandora I corruption case tied to 2010–2013 public spending. Hernández has returned from the United States after a 2025 presidential pardon and has insisted he is innocent. Prosecutors can appeal the judge's decision, the judiciary has said.
The Justice Department has filed a brief supporting OpenAI and Microsoft in the New York Times' copyright suit, arguing training large language models on published works is transformative fair use that advances national security and economic goals. Publishers argue the practice harms journalism and undercuts creators; Judge Sidney H. Stein is expected to rule on summary judgment soon.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has raised national-security concerns about Ford’s ties to Chinese battery tech and plans with Geely in Spain, prompting political and regulatory scrutiny. Ford defends its approach, while lawmakers press for clarity on independence from Chinese tech.
Voters remain skeptical about election integrity and Trump’s influence ahead of the November elections. YouGov, FT/Focaldata, and Gallup show rising doubt, wavering support for mail-in voting, and concerns about Trump’s impact on conservative candidates. The political landscape remains volatile as independents and Democrats push back against perceived interference and misgivings about funding for promised measures.
President Donald Trump has threatened to block Canadian manufacturer Bombardier from selling aircraft in the United States as Ottawa and Washington have exchanged tariffs on roughly $20–28 billion of goods. Canada has imposed retaliatory levies of 15–50%, and Bombardier has said it employs thousands in the US and sources components from 47 states.
A draft proposal from the Trump administration would exclude undocumented immigrants and non-permanent residents from the 2030 U.S. census, potentially shrinking official counts used to allocate seats and federal funds. Race and ethnicity questions may be dropped; the plan opens for public comment before final policy.
Inflation remains elevated as energy prices stay buoyant amid renewed Middle East fighting. The latest data show consumer prices rising year over year, with monthly gains in August. Gas and diesel costs are at multi-year highs, weighing on households and businesses just as midterm politics heighten scrutiny of the administration’s economic management.
Today, on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, ceremonies have taken place at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington and the Flight 93 memorial in Pennsylvania. President Donald Trump has delivered remarks at the Pentagon; all living former presidents and Vice President JD Vance have attended the New York memorial. New New York documents on toxic dust have been released.
President Donald Trump has dismissed calls from AI leaders to slow frontier development, attacked Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on Truth Social and called safety concerns a "hoax" and a "sick conspiracy." His posts have coincided with a sell-off in AI-linked stocks and intensified debate over regulation and US competition with China.
The White House has announced a plan to invest about $15 billion to build the largest U.S. steel plant in Iowa, powered by a $2.5 billion Minnesota iron ore mine. Production is slated to begin in 2030, creating thousands of jobs and reshoring steel production in a bid to bolster national security and manufacturing. The plan is being pitched ahead of the midterm elections as part of a broader economic push.
The US Supreme Court has lifted a lower court ruling and allowed the deportations of immigrants to third countries to resume, while agreeing to hear the merits of the case in December. The decision follows ongoing debates over due process and safety for deportees, with critics urging Congress to tighten protections.
South Korea is evaluating a proposed $50 billion Alaska LNG project as part of a broader $200 billion investment package announced with the United States. While Washington touts the deal as a boost for energy infrastructure, Seoul is weighing commercial viability and legal compliance amid concerns about the project’s cost, timelines, and long‑term LNG demand.
The administration has stepped up its stance on immigration in response to AI-fueled growth, with officials targeting PERM abuses while highlighting the need for U.S. talent. Microsoft faces scrutiny over H-1B use as industry leaders are lauded at a White House event.
The administration has suspended Microsoft, Adobe and other firms from the Perm visa program, citing abuses as it presses for American job protection. Officials say the move will push sponsors to hire Americans and strengthen domestic workforces while risking talent shortages in tech.
The White House has removed tariffs on specific Canadian goods — including plywood, packing materials, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment — and will impose duties on other items starting Oct. 30. Senators and businesses in Maine have secured exemptions after lobbying; critics say the move appears timed to help Senator Susan Collins in a tight reelection fight and to blunt local economic pain.