U.S. President Donald Trump and his senior advisers are quietly preparing to attend the APEC Trade Ministers’ meeting in South Korea this October. On the sidelines, a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping could take place. The trip will focus on economic cooperation, investment, trade, defense, and nuclear discussions. It may also open the door for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Previous tariffs between the U.S. and China are temporarily suspended until November due to ongoing negotiations.

Thousands protested in Washington, D.C., against President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops, demanding their withdrawal. The “We Are All DC” rally included undocumented immigrants and Palestinian statehood supporters, with slogans calling for Trump’s removal and resistance to authoritarianism. Despite Trump citing crime concerns, violent crime in the city is at a 30-year low. Over 2,000 troops from six Republican states patrol the streets, with the National Guard’s mandate extended until November 30. D.C. has filed a lawsuit calling the deployment unnecessary and illegal.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order granting tariff exemptions to certain trading partners on products including nickel, gold, pharmaceutical ingredients, and chemicals. The move, effective Monday, targets items that cannot be produced sufficiently in the U.S. and aims to strengthen reciprocal trade agreements. Countries entering such agreements will enjoy zero tariffs on over 45 products, while some existing exemptions, like plastics and polysilicon for solar production, are revoked. The measure seeks to protect U.S. economic and national interests.

The United States has revoked Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) license that allowed it to send advanced technology to China. The move, similar to actions against Samsung and SK Hynix, may disrupt TSMC’s operations in China, though its factories there mainly produce older-generation chips. The U.S. government said the restriction will take full effect by year’s end, but it is unclear when new licenses might be approved. TSMC said it remains committed to its China operations while evaluating the situation.

US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that India and Russia have moved toward China after a summit hosted by President Xi Jinping in Tianjin. Trump shared a photo of Xi, Vladimir Putin, and Narendra Modi, expressing frustration over New Delhi and Moscow aligning with Beijing. India and China declined to comment, while the Kremlin was unreachable. Trump, who has criticized India’s trade practices and expressed disappointment with Putin, said he plans to speak with the Russian leader soon.

Former President Donald Trump has stated that he is in deep discussions with Hamas regarding a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages. “I would tell Hamas to release the hostages. It will lead to positive outcomes,” Trump said, warning that failure to act could worsen the situation.

Trump highlighted the challenge posed by the small number of hostages still in Hamas’ hands, emphasizing that efforts to retrieve them must be swift and decisive. Meanwhile, protests in Israel continue, demanding both a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett has described President Donald Trump and his trade team as “frustrated” over India’s crude oil imports from Russia, while expressing hope for a positive resolution soon.

When questioned about Trump’s recent social media posts concerning India, Russia, and China, Hassett said, “We certainly want this to improve.” Earlier, Trump commented that the U.S. seems to have “lost India and Russia to the deepest hand of China,” wishing them a prosperous future.

The U.S. has criticized India for profiting from Russian oil, while Indian officials argue that singling out India is unfair since the EU continues to import Russian gas. China remains the largest importer of Russian crude. The U.S. will impose a 50% tariff on certain Russian imports starting September 27.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that international recognition of Palestine would “only create more problems” and jeopardize ongoing ceasefire efforts.

Speaking after a meeting with Ecuador’s leadership, Rubio dismissed such recognition as “fake and unrealistic.” While refraining from commenting directly on Israel’s West Bank annexation plans, he called them “entirely predictable.”

Rubio accused moves to strengthen the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank of emboldening Hamas in Gaza. His remarks came just days after French President Emmanuel Macron announced at the UN that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state.

Honda is introducing the Fastport E-Quad, a four-wheeled pedal-powered vehicle with electric assistance, designed for urban delivery in congested cities like New York and Los Angeles. The lightweight quadracycle carries more cargo than bicycles or scooters, navigates traffic easily, and comes in two sizes, with the larger model carrying up to 295 kg. Developed by Honda’s U.S. startup lab, the E-Quad aims to support logistics and delivery services, with small-batch production starting in Ohio and full-scale rollout planned next summer.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reduced tariffs on Japanese car imports from 27.5 percent to 15 percent, cutting them by nearly half. The deal, reached after months of negotiation, also includes Japan committing $550 billion in U.S. investments and gradually opening its markets to American products, including cars and rice. The 15 percent tariff will apply to almost all Japanese imports, including vehicles and pharmaceuticals, easing uncertainty for major automakers like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.

The United States has sanctioned three Palestinian human rights organizations—Al-Haq, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), and the Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights—accusing them of assisting the International Criminal Court (ICC) in actions against Israeli citizens. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move protects US sovereignty, military, and allies. The groups have long documented alleged Israeli abuses in Gaza and the occupied territories. Similar sanctions were imposed under the Trump administration after ICC warrants against Israeli leaders.

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War through an executive order. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would be titled “Secretary of War,” and his deputy “Deputy Secretary of War.” The move reverses a 1949 decision meant to signal restraint in nuclear-era conflicts. Critics warn the change could cost billions as documents, signage, and systems are updated. Trump has also reversed other renamings, including restoring bases once stripped of Confederate-linked titles.

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at possible new sanctions on Russia if the war in Ukraine continues. Speaking with Polish President Andrzej Duda in the Oval Office, Trump said that if he is dissatisfied with Vladimir Putin’s response, “something will happen.” He denied being soft on Moscow, citing sanctions on India for Russian oil as proof of his firm stance. Trump plans to speak with Ukrainian President Zelensky soon to determine the next steps.

A U.S. federal court has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to suspend nearly $2 billion in Harvard University research funding, calling it illegal and a violation of the university’s right to free expression. Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that while anti-Semitism exists at Harvard, it was not the real reason for the funding cuts, and issued an injunction to ensure ongoing grants are not withheld. Harvard considers this a major legal victory, though an appeal from the administration is expected.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that India has offered to trade with the United States without any tariffs following the imposition of U.S. duties. Speaking on The Scott Jennings Radio Show, Trump criticized countries like China, India, and Brazil for harming U.S. interests with tariffs. He described India as the highest-tariff country and claimed that the tariff imposition prompted India’s proposal. Trump emphasized that tariffs are necessary for economic strength and insisted the offer would not have come without U.S. action.