Category: AI
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UN Sanctions Snap Back on Iran After Diplomacy Fails
Following weeks of unsuccessful diplomatic efforts, the U.N. Security Council has reinstated sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. The measures took effect Sunday, 30 days after Germany, France, and the United Kingdom triggered the “snapback” mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal, citing Iran’s failure to meet its obligations. China and Russia attempted to delay…
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Targeting Drugs, Trucks, and Furniture
On September 25, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a new round of import tariffs targeting pharmaceuticals (drugs), heavy-duty trucks, and various household furnishings (including furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities). These measures, framed as national security protections under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, aim to shield U.S. manufacturers from “unfair foreign…
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U.S. Slaps Port Fees on China-Linked Ships
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) initiated an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into China’s practices aimed at dominating the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. This probe, prompted by a petition from U.S. labor unions in April 2024, concluded that China’s subsidies, non-market practices, and dual-use infrastructure (supporting both commercial and…
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Japan Unveils $550B U.S. Investment
On September 26, 2025, Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) formally announced the creation of a new dedicated investment facility at the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), a wholly state-owned policy-based financial institution specializing in financing Japanese firms’ overseas projects. This facility is designed to operationalize Japan’s commitment to a $550 billion investment package as…
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Turkey Inks 20-Year, $43B Deal with Mercuria
On September 24, 2025, Turkey’s state-owned energy company BOTAŞ (Petroleum Pipeline Corporation) signed a 20-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with Swiss-based energy trading firm Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. The deal, announced by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, secures approximately 4 billion cubic meters (bcm) of US-sourced LNG annually, starting in 2026 and running…