Author: Loisa Lane

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo instructing military academies, including West Point and the Naval Academy, to cease granting tenure to civilian faculty. He stated this aims to enhance educational focus on warfighter preparation and reduce perceived ideological biases in the curriculum.

President Trump and major AI company leaders have established voluntary safety standards for artificial intelligence technology, following a White House meeting. The accord includes commitments to robust internal controls and audits, alongside plans for a 10-person oversight committee and potential future legislation to solidify these measures.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, former Special Counsel Jack Smith denied attending a February 2024 NBA game in Atlanta, despite Senator Eric Schmitt suggesting text messages indicated otherwise. Smith acknowledged attending a women’s college basketball game in Maryland around the same time, highlighting a potential mix-up by Schmitt.

President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson will meet with leading AI executives on Tuesday to discuss regulation and innovation in the rapidly evolving technology sector. Attendees include Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, among others.

Kurt Olsen, previously with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, has resigned from the Justice Department amid ongoing investigations into alleged election irregularities. His departure follows that of prosecutor Joe diGenova, as the department faces scrutiny over its handling of related cases.

President Trump confirmed a private dinner with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, discussing AI regulations amid concerns about the industry’s rapid growth. This meeting follows a prior agreement between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to establish an AI safety channel. Amodei is scheduled to attend a White House luncheon on Tuesday.

Alexander Yui, Taiwan’s representative to the U.S., stated that discussions between President Trump and Xi Jinping involved Taiwan but were not extensive. He reiterated Taiwan’s importance, emphasising security and semiconductor production, while highlighting the need for continued U.S. arms supplies to bolster Taiwan’s defence capabilities.

GOP Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana urged President Trump to prioritise affordability ahead of the midterm elections, emphasising concerns about the cost of living. Kennedy also called for a nationwide address on the Iran conflict, suggesting that either Trump or senior officials explain the situation to the public.

Senator John Kennedy expressed uncertainty about President Trump’s alleged plans to restart bombing campaigns in Iran, citing a lack of classified intelligence. During the interview, he emphasised the importance of addressing public concerns over living costs, which he linked to the situation in Iran and urged the White House to remain focused on these issues.

The U.S. Army Reserve is exploring options to augment Southern Command with police, medical, and logistics units within four months, as part of continued military planning related to Cuba. The command has requested feedback on the availability of various formations by September 25.