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South Korea Joins Melania Trump’s Global Tech Initiative for Children

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Key Takeaways

  • Global Tech Partnership Formed: The Republic of Korea joined Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future Together” initiative, marking the first U.S.-Korea Technology Prosperity Deal aimed at promoting education, innovation, and child protection through technology.
  • Focus on AI and Youth Empowerment: The initiative seeks to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into classrooms and family life while safeguarding children from online dangers.
  • White House Summit Planned for 2026: Mrs. Trump will host the inaugural coalition meeting at the White House next year, uniting first spouses and world leaders to share ideas on advancing youth well-being and digital literacy worldwide.

First Lady Melania Trump announced Wednesday that the Republic of Korea has officially joined her global “Fostering the Future Together” initiative through a new U.S.-Korea Technology Prosperity Deal — a first-of-its-kind agreement aimed at empowering children worldwide through technology, innovation, and education.

“I am proud that the Republic of Korea is joining my global coalition to empower children through the promotion of technology, innovation, and education,” Mrs. Trump said. “As a longstanding leader in technological advancement, the Republic of Korea will offer invaluable insights to the participating nations in the Fostering the Future Together initiative.”

The partnership, developed by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy alongside the Office of the First Lady, was signed during President Donald J. Trump’s latest visit to Asia. It deepens U.S.-Korea cooperation on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies while promoting the responsible use of technology to protect youth from online threats.

Launched during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Fostering the Future Together is a growing coalition of first spouses working to harness advanced technologies for the benefit of children, parents, and educators. Major tech companies have pledged to provide AI-based learning and safety tools to participating nations at no or low cost.

Mrs. Trump will host the inaugural Fostering the Future Together summit at the White House in 2026, bringing together coalition members to share insights and policy recommendations.

Building on her signature BE BEST initiative, Mrs. Trump’s new global effort continues her focus on equipping the next generation for success while ensuring digital innovation serves the well-being of children worldwide.

Senate GOP Breaks with Trump, Votes to Repeal Tariffs

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Key Takeaways

  • Bipartisan Tariff Repeal Passes Senate: The Senate voted to terminate President Trump’s global tariffs, with four Republicans — Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski — joining Democrats in the symbolic rebuke.
  • Little Practical Impact Expected: The measure is unlikely to advance in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson supports Trump’s trade policy. Even if it did, Trump is expected to veto any attempt to curb his tariff authority.
  • Sharp Divide on Trade Philosophy: While critics like McConnell argue tariffs “make both building and buying in America more expensive,” Trump’s allies maintain they strengthen U.S. manufacturing, restore fair trade, and protect American jobs.

The Senate narrowly passed a resolution Thursday to repeal President Donald Trump’s global tariffs — a move championed by Democrats and joined by four Republicans who broke ranks with their party to side against the administration’s aggressive trade agenda.

The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, was supported by fellow Republicans Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Susan Collins (Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska). The measure aims to terminate the national emergency Trump invoked on April 2 — which the president called “Liberation Day” — to authorize sweeping reciprocal tariffs on countries across the globe, including close allies such as Japan, South Korea, and members of the European Union.

It’s the second time the Senate has considered the proposal. A similar attempt failed in April after Vice President J.D. Vance cast a tie-breaking vote against it. McConnell and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who both missed that earlier vote, were key to Thursday’s narrow passage.

While the resolution’s passage is symbolic — Speaker Mike Johnson has no plans to bring it up in the House, and Trump would veto it immediately — it marks a political win for the small but vocal anti-tariff faction on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Ron Wyden, the lead Democratic sponsor, claimed Trump’s tariffs are driving inflation. “American families are being squeezed by prices going up and up and up,” he said, arguing that household costs have climbed by more than $100 a month.

McConnell also criticized the tariffs earlier this week, warning that “tariffs make both building and buying in America more expensive.” He added that “the economic harms of trade wars are not the exception to history, but the rule.”

Trump’s allies, however, insist the tariffs are working — reviving domestic manufacturing, creating leverage in trade talks, and reinforcing America’s economic independence. For now, the debate is as much political as it is economic — and Trump’s veto pen guarantees this one ends on his terms.

Treasury Chief SCORCHES Senate Dems: “You Are Failures”

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Key Takeaways

  • Bessent Goes on Offense: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called out Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar as “failures” for blocking government funding and harming American farmers, urging them to “stop writing incoherent letters” and reopen the government.
  • Trump’s Trade Wins Highlighted: Bessent defended the administration’s economic progress, pointing to China’s new agreement to buy up to 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually and President Trump’s Asia trip, which he said could generate $2 trillion in new investment.
  • Sharp Contrast with Biden Era: In a fiery postscript, Bessent mocked the Biden administration’s “autopenned efforts to bankrupt the U.S. government,” reminding Democrats that “profit” is a word from the private sector — one they might want to learn.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent isn’t holding back. In a late-night social media post Wednesday, he slammed Senate Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar as “failures,” accusing them of “writing incoherent letters” instead of reopening the government and supporting American farmers.

“@SenWarren and @SenAmyKlobuchar: you are failures,” Bessent wrote on X. “You failed to derail the electoral success of one of our great allies in Latin America, President @JMilei. He won in a landslide with the poorest members of society voting for economic freedom—a notion anathema in particular to the Senate’s resident American Peronist, Senator Warren.”

Bessent went on to accuse the senators of blocking aid to U.S. farmers and stalling the administration’s plans to activate the Farm Credit Agency to assist with next year’s crops. He warned that keeping the government closed through Thanksgiving would “ruin the number one travel day for American families” and said they “should both be ashamed.”

The remarks followed a letter from Senate Democrats accusing Bessent of prioritizing foreign governments over U.S. farmers. Bessent dismissed the charge, pointing instead to a new deal struck with China to purchase 12 million metric tons of American soybeans this season, with another 25 million expected annually over the next three years.

He also highlighted President Trump’s ongoing Asia trip, posting a photo of the president at the APEC summit and claiming the trip could yield “$2 trillion worth of investments into the U.S.”

In a parting shot, Bessent mocked the Biden administration’s economic record. “While ‘profit’ is a private sector word that you may both be unfamiliar with,” he wrote, “I would urge you to look past your previous experience working alongside the Biden Administration’s autopenned efforts to bankrupt the U.S. government.”

Klobuchar fired back online, calling Bessent’s remarks “jet-lagged,” but it’s clear the Treasury secretary has no plans to tone it down.

Nuclear Testing’s Back on the Menu, Boys!

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Key Takeaways

  • Resuming Nuclear Tests After 30 Years: President Trump directed the Defense Department to restart nuclear weapons testing, ending a three-decade pause in explosive testing that began in 1992.
  • Global Deterrence and Power Balance: The move comes amid escalating tensions with China and Russia, both of which have recently tested advanced nuclear systems. Trump says America must remain unmatched in deterrence capability.
  • Peace Through Strength: Trump emphasized that while he “hated to do it,” testing is necessary to ensure U.S. nuclear readiness and maintain global stability — a hallmark of his “peace through strength” doctrine.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered the Defense Department to immediately begin testing U.S. nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” with China and Russia, signaling a dramatic shift in America’s deterrence strategy as global tensions rise.

“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”

The announcement came just hours before Trump’s highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea—his first face-to-face since 2019. The president ignored questions about the move during the meeting, offering no public comment as reporters were escorted out.

The U.S. hasn’t conducted explosive nuclear tests since 1992, relying instead on advanced computer modeling to maintain its arsenal. But Trump’s team has long argued that deterrence must be backed by real-world testing. Former national security adviser Robert C. O’Brien wrote in 2024 that “Washington must test new nuclear weapons for reliability and safety in the real world… not just by using computer models.”

The move follows recent provocations from Russia, which claimed last week to have successfully tested a nuclear-capable cruise missile with a range of 8,700 miles, and an underwater nuclear drone with a compact reactor.

Trump condemned the Russian test as “inappropriate,” emphasizing that the Kremlin should focus on ending the war in Ukraine rather than posturing with new weapons. “You’ve got to get the war ended,” Trump said Monday. “We test missiles all the time. They’re not playing games with us, and we’re not playing games with them either.”

Trump’s directive reasserts America’s stance as a deterrence leader—making clear that peace is best preserved through strength.

Global Auto Industry on Edge as China Chokes Chip Supply

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Key Takeaways

  • Political Roots of the Shortage: Beijing’s export ban on Dutch chipmaker Nexperia has triggered a fresh global supply crisis, highlighting how geopolitics—not just market forces—now shape industrial production.
  • Automakers Sound the Alarm: Major carmakers including Nissan, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz warn of looming production halts, with some factories already pausing operations as chip inventories dwindle.
  • Globalization’s Weak Spot Exposed: Industry leaders say the crisis underscores the risks of over-reliance on adversarial nations for critical technology, renewing calls for domestic manufacturing and resilient supply chains.

Global automakers are once again in scramble mode — not because of labor strikes or tariffs this time, but because of a deepening semiconductor crunch with political fingerprints all over it.

Beijing has banned exports of chips from Dutch firm Nexperia after the Netherlands seized control of the company last month, citing national security concerns over its Chinese parent, Wingtech. The move has rippled through the auto industry, threatening production lines from Tokyo to Detroit.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association warned Wednesday that “supplies are rapidly dwindling,” adding that reserve stocks will only last for weeks. Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, and Honda are all bracing for production disruptions, with Honda already suspending operations in Mexico and scaling back in North America.

“It’s a big issue,” Nissan’s Chief Performance Officer Guillaume Cartier said at the Japan Mobility Show. “For the moment we don’t have full visibility.” He added that while the company has enough chips through early November, the uncertainty grows further down the supply chain.

Even electric vehicle makers aren’t immune. Lucid CEO Marc Winterhoff said engineers are scrambling to source alternatives, while Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius told reporters that “this is different from the last chip crisis because now the issue is rooted in politics and will require a political solution.”

Kaellenius pointed out that modern vehicles rely on parts sourced from “pretty much all five continents,” a reminder that the globalized supply chain remains vulnerable to geopolitical tension.

While General Motors insists it has avoided production hits so far, analysts warn that smaller manufacturers could face shutdowns within weeks. The crisis underscores a lesson free-market advocates have long emphasized: dependence on adversarial regimes for critical materials and components is a national security risk as much as an economic one.

Trump’s Tokyo Triumph: Historic Deals Fuel Jobs, National Security, and Energy Strength

Key Takeaways

  • Massive Foreign Investment in U.S. Industry: Japan expanded its $550 billion commitment to the United States, targeting American manufacturing, clean energy, AI, and infrastructure projects that will create jobs and strengthen supply chains.
  • Energy Independence and Economic Growth: The agreements include over $330 billion for U.S. energy infrastructure — from nuclear power to natural gas — and billions more for critical minerals and electronics manufacturing.
  • Stronger Allies, Stronger America: Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi deepened cooperation on defense, trade, and technology, reinforcing U.S. leadership in the Indo-Pacific and boosting American competitiveness on the global stage.

President Donald J. Trump wrapped up his trip to Tokyo with a signature achievement — billions in new Japanese investments headed straight for American industries, energy infrastructure, and high-tech innovation. The announcement marks another win for the administration’s “America First” economic strategy, reinforcing U.S. leadership in manufacturing, energy, and technology while strengthening one of Washington’s most vital alliances.

At the center of the deal is Japan’s expanded $550 billion investment commitment to the United States. The two allies signed a historic framework agreement that will supercharge the U.S. industrial base and shore up critical supply chains — particularly for energy and rare earth minerals that underpin advanced technologies and national defense.

The agreement includes up to $332 billion in investments for U.S. energy infrastructure — from next-generation nuclear power plants to clean, efficient natural gas and large-scale electrical systems. Another $30 billion will go toward data center development and AI infrastructure, while billions more will boost semiconductor, electronics, and manufacturing capacity across the country.

President Trump also secured Japan’s commitment to major purchases of American energy, including a $1.5 billion investment in Louisiana’s Haynesville Shale and new LNG offtake deals from Alaska. “This is about energy independence, jobs, and American strength,” Trump said during the signing ceremony in Tokyo.

The deal extends far beyond economics. Tokyo pledged to step up defense spending and strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific — a direct response to China’s growing aggression. Both nations also committed to deepen cooperation on advanced technology, 6G development, and AI innovation, while cracking down on global drug trafficking and customs violations.

From nuclear reactors to rare earth minerals and AI, Trump’s Tokyo agreements represent a bold fusion of economic growth and national security. Once again, the dealmaker-in-chief has demonstrated that strong alliances and smart trade deliver tangible benefits — for America’s workers, industries, and future.

“Enough Is Enough”: Banks, Credit Unions Urge Congress to Reopen Government

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Key Takeaways

  • Financial Institutions Step Up for Americans: Banks and credit unions are waiving fees, modifying loans, and offering relief to military families and federal employees hit hardest by the shutdown.
  • Economic Fallout Growing Fast: The Independent Community Bankers of America warned that local economies—the foundation of U.S. growth—are being damaged as the shutdown drags into its fifth week.
  • White House Blames Democrats for Stalemate: The Trump administration says Senate Democrats are responsible for prolonging the shutdown and “holding Americans hostage,” urging passage of a clean continuing resolution.

America’s financial sector has had enough of Washington gridlock. As the government shutdown drags into its fifth week, leading banking and credit union associations are demanding Congress reopen the government before the fallout hits Main Street even harder.

The American Bankers Association said its members are offering short-term relief to military families, federal employees, and customers feeling the pinch through “fee waivers, loan modifications and other relief.” But even that, the group warned, can’t stop the bleeding. “We urge lawmakers to pass a clean continuing resolution and resolve their policy differences with the government open and functioning,” the association said.

America’s Credit Unions echoed the call, saying credit unions are stepping up with empathy and flexibility but stressed that “it’s time for Congress to pass the continuing resolution and re-open the government.”

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) added that the shutdown is undermining local economies — the backbone of American growth. “Timely action to end the current shutdown is imperative to ensure economic growth stays strong in local communities nationwide,” the ICBA said, urging lawmakers to “work together” to finish the budget process and get back to business.

Meanwhile, the White House isn’t backing down. Spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital that “the Democrat shutdown has sowed economic uncertainty for Main Street and unnecessary suffering for the American people.” Rogers added that “financial markets are flying blind without key government data impacting trillions in investment decisions.”

The message from business and government alike is clear: reopen the government, protect the economy, and stop using Americans as political leverage.

Nvidia Unleashes AI Revolution with Massive Industry Partnerships

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Key Takeaways

  • Nvidia and Palantir Build Operational AI Backbone: Nvidia is teaming up with Palantir to develop a powerful AI technology stack that integrates data analytics, automation, and specialized agents to run complex industrial systems.
  • 6G and AI Connectivity on the Horizon: Partnerships with T-Mobile, Nokia, and Cisco will create America’s first AI-native wireless stack and lay the groundwork for next-generation 6G networks powered by Nvidia’s AI Aerial platform.
  • AI Manufacturing and Mobility Expansion: From autonomous Uber fleets to AI-driven factories with Caterpillar, Toyota, and Lucid Motors, Nvidia is leading America’s next industrial and transportation transformation.

Nvidia is once again proving why it’s the crown jewel of American innovation. In a sweeping announcement Tuesday, CEO Jensen Huang revealed a massive expansion of the company’s artificial intelligence partnerships — a move that cements Nvidia’s dominance across the next generation of computing, communications, and manufacturing.

The semiconductor powerhouse announced it will partner with Palantir to create an integrated AI technology stack designed to power “operational AI” — the kind of artificial intelligence that runs everything from defense systems to industrial supply chains. The collaboration blends Palantir’s AI-driven Ontology framework with Nvidia’s CUDA-X computing and Nemotron open models to produce a fully integrated AI engine. “By combining Palantir’s powerful AI-driven platform with Nvidia CUDA-X accelerated computing and Nemotron open AI models, we’re creating a next-generation engine to fuel AI-specialized applications and agents that run the world’s most complex industrial and operational pipelines,” Huang said.

Retail giant Lowe’s will be among the first to adopt this technology, using it to build a digital replica of its global supply chain — a move expected to improve efficiency, cut costs, and boost customer satisfaction.

Nvidia also unveiled partnerships with Booz Allen, Cisco, MITRE, ODC, and T-Mobile to create America’s first AI-native wireless stack for 6G networks. Built on Nvidia’s AI Aerial platform, the system promises faster, smarter communication infrastructure capable of handling an explosion of AI-generated data traffic.

In another major win for U.S. industry, Nvidia and Nokia will jointly develop a 6G-ready computing platform, while T-Mobile will test AI-RAN technologies starting in 2026. Meanwhile, companies like Caterpillar, Lucid Motors, and Toyota are building “factory twins” using Nvidia’s Omniverse to power America’s reindustrialization through physical AI.

Even the roads are going autonomous. Nvidia and Uber announced a partnership to build a 100,000-vehicle AI-driven ride-hailing fleet by 2027, powered by Nvidia’s DRIVE platform.

From AI factories to AI freeways, Nvidia is redefining the modern economy — one partnership at a time — and keeping American innovation squarely in the driver’s seat.

Trump, Japan Strike Historic Deal to Secure Rare Earth Supply – Ending China’s Monopoly

Key Takeaways

  • Securing Supply Chains for the Future: The U.S. and Japan signed a groundbreaking framework to ensure a stable, diversified supply of critical minerals and rare earths vital for defense, energy, and technology industries.
  • Cutting Red Tape and Competing with China: The agreement fast-tracks mining permits, deregulates processing, and promotes investment—countering China’s market manipulation and reducing dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains.
  • Free Markets Fuel National Security: Trump’s deal reinforces that energy and industrial independence come from entrepreneurship, private investment, and allied cooperation—not government overreach or globalist dependency.

The Trump administration is doubling down on America’s energy and industrial independence – this time by teaming up with Japan to secure the global supply of critical minerals and rare earths. The new U.S.-Japan Framework for Securing the Supply of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths represents a bold, market-driven push to outcompete China’s dominance in the rare earth industry while fueling the backbone of modern technology; everything from defense systems to smartphones and electric vehicles.

Signed in Tokyo by President Donald J. Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, the agreement lays out a comprehensive plan to boost mining, processing, and recycling efforts across both nations. The goal is simple: ensure that America and its allies control the minerals that make the modern world run.

Under the framework, Washington and Tokyo will fast-track permits, streamline regulations, and coordinate financing for projects that fill key gaps in supply chains. The two nations also plan to host a Mining, Minerals, and Metals Investment Ministerial within six months to align private-sector investments and create jobs at home.

Both sides emphasized the importance of “fair competition” and “high-standard markets,” signaling a direct challenge to the Chinese Communist Party’s manipulation of mineral pricing and export controls. The framework commits both nations to developing pricing systems that reflect “the real costs of responsible extraction, processing, and trade,” while encouraging new private investment.

The U.S. and Japan will also establish a Critical Minerals Supply Security Rapid Response Group led by the U.S. Secretary of Energy and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry. The team will coordinate responses to global shortages, prioritize supply vulnerabilities, and ensure that neither country is left dependent on adversarial regimes.

By leveraging free enterprise, innovation, and allied cooperation, the Trump administration’s deal with Japan reinforces America’s role as the world’s leader in energy security and industrial resilience. The message is clear: the future of critical minerals will be mined, refined, and secured—not by Beijing—but by free nations working together.