Politics News 17 August 2025 - 5 February 2026

Trump Mobile’s T1 Phone ‘Made in USA’ pitch fades as reports point to overseas build
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Trump Mobile’s T1 Phone ‘Made in USA’ pitch fades as reports point to overseas build

Trump Mobile’s T1 smartphone will be mostly manufactured overseas, with only limited final assembly in Miami, company executives told The Verge. The device’s specs and design have changed, the launch date has slipped again, and prices for new buyers will rise above the $499 “introductory” rate. U.S. “Made in USA” rules prevent the company from making that claim due to the phone’s foreign sourcing.
February 9, 2026
Pentagon urged to probe SpaceX over possible Chinese ownership — why it’s suddenly a flashpoint
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Pentagon urged to probe SpaceX over possible Chinese ownership — why it’s suddenly a flashpoint

Democratic senators have asked the Pentagon to investigate SpaceX after reports that Chinese investors secretly acquired stakes in the company through offshore entities. The lawmakers cited national security risks tied to SpaceX’s military launches and Starlink operations. They requested a review of foreign-ownership regulations and a possible CFIUS investigation. The Defense Department was asked to respond by February 20.
February 5, 2026
U.S. senators move to police synthetic DNA sales as bioweapon fears sharpen
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U.S. senators move to police synthetic DNA sales as bioweapon fears sharpen

Two U.S. senators introduced the Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act of 2026, requiring the Commerce Department to regulate synthetic DNA sales and screen orders for dangerous genetic sequences. The bill mandates audits, red-teaming, and penalties up to $750,000 for violations. It also proposes a federal list of “sequences of concern” and a NIST “governance sandbox” for oversight.
February 4, 2026
Trump unveils $12B ‘Project Vault’ minerals stockpile as U.S. moves to blunt China leverage
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Trump unveils $12B ‘Project Vault’ minerals stockpile as U.S. moves to blunt China leverage

President Trump launched Project Vault, a $12 billion program to build a U.S. strategic reserve of critical minerals, combining a $10 billion Export-Import Bank loan with private investment. Shares of rare-earth and critical-minerals companies rose after the announcement. General Motors, Lockheed Martin, and Google joined the initiative for emergency access to supplies. The plan aims to reduce reliance on China, which dominates global processing.
February 2, 2026
US threatens to hold back Gavi cash unless it drops mercury preservative thimerosal
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US threatens to hold back Gavi cash unless it drops mercury preservative thimerosal

The U.S. is withholding a $300 million pledge to Gavi unless the group starts phasing out thimerosal-containing vaccines, officials said. Gavi confirmed the request but said changes require board approval and must align with scientific consensus. Experts warn a rapid shift from multi-dose vials could raise costs and disrupt immunization efforts in low-income countries.
January 29, 2026
Nvidia dragged into DeepSeek military row as U.S. lawmaker urges tougher chip controls
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Nvidia dragged into DeepSeek military row as U.S. lawmaker urges tougher chip controls

House China committee chair John Moolenaar accused Nvidia of helping Chinese AI firm DeepSeek develop technology later used by China’s military. Nvidia denied the claim, saying China’s military does not rely on U.S. chips. CEO Jensen Huang said China is still finalizing an import license for Nvidia’s H200 chip. The Commerce Department and DeepSeek declined to comment.
January 29, 2026
Ukraine turns to Elon Musk’s SpaceX after Russian drones are found using Starlink
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Ukraine turns to Elon Musk’s SpaceX after Russian drones are found using Starlink

Ukraine is working with SpaceX to block Russian drones from using Starlink satellite internet, officials said Thursday. Defense adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov reported “hundreds” of Russian drone attacks using Starlink gear. Kyiv relies on Starlink for its own battlefield communications and drone control. SpaceX said it responded quickly after Ukraine raised the alarm.
January 29, 2026
Trump cyber chief faces scrutiny after sensitive files were uploaded to ChatGPT
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Trump cyber chief faces scrutiny after sensitive files were uploaded to ChatGPT

CISA’s acting director, Madhu Gottumukkala, uploaded sensitive contracting documents to public ChatGPT, triggering DHS security alerts and an internal review, Politico reported. The documents were labeled “for official use only” but not classified. CISA said the use was authorized, limited, and subject to controls. The review’s outcome remains unclear.
January 29, 2026
Treasury Drops Booz Allen After Trump Tax Leak, Rattling Federal Contractor Trust
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Treasury Drops Booz Allen After Trump Tax Leak, Rattling Federal Contractor Trust

The U.S. Treasury canceled all contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, citing failures to protect sensitive IRS data. The department holds 31 contracts with the firm, totaling $4.8 million annually. The move follows the conviction of ex-contractor Charles Littlejohn, who leaked tax records of hundreds of thousands, including Donald Trump, between 2018 and 2020. Booz Allen has not responded to the termination.
January 26, 2026
Taiwan’s president to Arizona senator: Expect more TSMC chip investment after tariff cut
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Taiwan’s president to Arizona senator: Expect more TSMC chip investment after tariff cut

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te told Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego he wants more chipmaking and R&D in Phoenix, following a new U.S.-Taiwan deal cutting tariffs to 15% and pledging $500 billion in investment and credit. Lai cited TSMC’s $165 billion Arizona project and pressed for double-tax relief, while warning against China’s “red lines,” according to Taiwanese media.
January 23, 2026
Trump administration pushes out Liz Cannon, Commerce official behind Chinese car curb, sources say
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Trump administration pushes out Liz Cannon, Commerce official behind Chinese car curb, sources say

Elizabeth “Liz” Cannon, head of the Commerce Department’s ICTS unit, will leave her post on Feb. 20 after being ousted by the Trump administration, according to sources. Cannon’s team helped finalize rules barring nearly all Chinese passenger cars from the U.S. Her departure follows Commerce’s decision to drop plans restricting Chinese-made drones. The administration plans to replace her with a political appointee.
January 23, 2026
Taiwan Bans China’s RedNote (Xiaohongshu) App for a Year as Opposition Cries Censorship
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Taiwan Bans China’s RedNote (Xiaohongshu) App for a Year as Opposition Cries Censorship

Taiwan began blocking access to Chinese social media app RedNote (Xiaohongshu) on December 4, citing over 1,700 fraud cases and major cybersecurity risks. The one-year suspension affects about 3 million local users. Internet providers are enforcing the ban using technical filters. Authorities say the block could be lifted if the company meets Taiwan’s security and legal requirements.
December 5, 2025
Sanchar Saathi App Row: India’s Phone Mandate Sparks Privacy Battle, Apple Pushback and Congress Fury
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Sanchar Saathi App Row: India’s Phone Mandate Sparks Privacy Battle, Apple Pushback and Congress Fury

India’s government has ordered smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cyber-safety app on all new devices and push it to existing phones, according to a leaked directive. Opposition leaders called the move unconstitutional, while Apple indicated it would not comply. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the app is optional and can be deleted. Non-compliance could trigger penalties under telecom laws.
December 2, 2025
Does Putin Use Body Doubles? The Truth Behind the Rumors
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Does Putin Use Body Doubles? The Truth Behind the Rumors

In August 2000, Russia’s Federal Protective Service chief denied Putin used doubles, and Putin himself dismissed the idea in 2001. In 2020, Putin said he refused a decoy during the Chechen war. Viral photos and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly fueled rumors since 2018, but agencies like Reuters and Snopes have debunked key claims. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov joked about the rumors in November 2023, insisting there is only one Putin.
August 17, 2025
Kremlin’s Global Disinformation Machine
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Unmasking Russia’s Troll Farm Empire: Inside the Kremlin’s Global Disinformation Machine

The Internet Research Agency in St. Petersburg employed about 400 staff by 2015, producing hundreds of posts and comments per shift under strict quotas. During the 2016 U.S. election, IRA campaigns reached over 126 million Americans and led to indictments and sanctions. The group later outsourced operations to Africa and, by 2024, shifted to AI-driven influence, with Google reporting over 400 enforcement actions in 2023.
August 17, 2025