🇨🇳 U.S. Bans Chinese Robots and Inverters Over AI Security
The Trump administration announced new import bans on advanced Chinese-made humanoid robots and connected power inverters, citing national security threats to the U.S. AI supply chain.
The Federal Communications Commission issued the restrictions following an interagency White House national security panel, which issued two National Security Determinations. The ban covers humanoid and quadruped robots as well as inverters used in renewable energy systems, batteries, and data centers. The panel warned that inverters' remote connectivity could allow foreign firms to "turn off the inverters or use them to collect and exfiltrate data," while robots could "enable foreign intelligence services" or be "remotely commandeered."
Rep. John Moolenaar, Republican chairman of the House Select Committee on China, backed the move and called on Congress to codify it into federal law.
🇺🇦 Zelenskyy and Trump Meet on Patriot Missile Production
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, July 28, for talks on expanding Ukraine's air defenses and advancing diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia.
The two leaders discussed licensing for joint production of Patriot interceptor missiles, including potential manufacturing in Ukraine. Zelenskyy described the meeting as "good." Strategic and diplomatic steps toward peace were also on the agenda.
The talks signal a focus on boosting Ukraine's capacity to counter Russian aerial attacks as the conflict continues.
⚖️ Kohberger Moves To Withdraw Idaho Student Murder Plea
Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to the 2022 killings of four University of Idaho students, is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea.
Kohberger entered the plea as part of a deal. His move to reverse course comes as a Netflix documentary series featuring new interviews with victims' family members is set to premiere.
No further details on the legal grounds for the withdrawal request were provided in the source.
🗳 Trump Admin Takes Mail-In Voting Fight to Supreme Court
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene and allow new federal restrictions on mail-in voting to take effect, after a federal appeals court blocked the measures in 23 states that filed suit.
The appeals court upheld the block on Saturday, ruling that states must be allowed to prepare for potentially disruptive changes to election procedures before restrictions can be enforced.
The Supreme Court's response could have significant implications for how mail-in voting operates across nearly half the country ahead of future elections.
Oil prices fell sharply in early Asian trade Monday after the U.S. and Iran both halted attacks following two weeks of escalation that had pushed Brent above $100 a barrel.
WTI crude dropped 5.39% to $84.47, while Brent fell 5.15% to $91.80. Washington signaled a temporary pause in its bombing campaign against Iran on Friday. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said Sunday the pause was "giving diplomacy some space."