China enhanced its space capabilities for military purposes and disguised the updates as civilian efforts, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said during a House Appropriations hearing Wednesday, April 17. Nelson stressed the critical need for the U.S. to land on the moon before China to maintain its leadership in space. He presented NASA’s proposed $25.4 billion…

President Joe Biden wants to triple tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum. He claims cheap Chinese exports are undermining American products.  China is the No. 1 producer of the two metals worldwide. The White House said the nation is not only “dumping” products on the market that are “among the world’s most emissions-intensive,” but subsidizing…

The U.S. Navy flew a patrol aircraft through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, April 17. The flyover happened just one day after discussions were held between the U.S. and China aimed at easing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. While the Taiwan Strait is considered international waters, China views it as part of its sovereign territory.…

President Biden called for raising tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from China, beginning what is expected to be a broadside of protectionist steps against Beijing during a presidential election in which trade is a flashpoint.

A recent report from Reuters has exposed a scheme between Russia and China involving copper, a metal expected to skyrocket in value and hit record highs next year. Once the Russian metal arrives, Chinese companies are shredding these copper rods down to disguise them as scrap. This is because of the difference in tariffs between…

Germans criticized the nation’s transport minister after he threatened to impose a weekend driving ban this summer. Volker Wissing said the ban could help Germany meet its proposed emission quotas under the Climate Protection Act. The country is trying to cut its emissions to net zero by 2045. The country’s coalition of the Social Democrats,…

Recent warnings from the National Security Agency (NSA) highlight an ongoing cyber threat posed by the persistence of Chinese hackers. In a cybersecurity advisory issued with other federal agencies, the NSA singled out a Beijing-backed hacker network known as “Volt Typhoon” for targeting and infiltrating American critical infrastructure. “The [advisory] focuses on PRC-sponsored cyber actor,…

A new partnership between the U.S. Department of Commerce and South Korea’s Samsung Electronics was announced Monday, April 15. The collaboration aims to position the U.S. as a global leader in semiconductor technology. The agreement includes up to $6.4 billion in federal grants and an additional $40 billion from Samsung. The funds will be used…

Leaders from the United States, Japan and the Philippines convened for their inaugural trilateral summit, marking a significant commitment to fostering a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region. They announced several initiatives to strengthen economic ties, technological advancements, and security collaborations. Notably they introduced the Luzon Economic Corridor aimed at enhancing connectivity and infrastructure in…

With Israel on alert for an attack from Iran, the U.S. sents over a top military commander in a show of support. O.J. Simpson passed away at age 76, sparking mixed reactions. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, April 12, 2024. US sends top commander to Israel ahead of expected attack…