politics & policy
The U.S. vs. China: The High Cost of the Technology Cold War
The world is paying a high price for the technological Cold War between its two greatest powers. The U.S.-China conflict has already upended the tech industry in both countries, disrupting giant hardware manufacturers, computer-chip designers and even social-media services. Now the broader consequences are becoming clear, as the actions of Beijing and Washington reverberate across …
Trump Remains Hospitalized as Doctors Offer Mixed Signals on Health
WASHINGTON—President Trump remained hospitalized with Covid-19 on Monday after seeking to project confidence and vigor over the weekend, as his doctors offered conflicting signals about how he is faring with the unpredictable illness. The president’s physicians are expected to deliver another update on his condition on Monday. Doctors said Sunday that the president’s vital signs …
Democrats Push Ahead With Coronavirus Plan Amid Break in Talks
WASHINGTON—House Democrats are pushing to complete their next coronavirus-aid proposal this week in the face of deepening economic gloom, but talks with the White House and the Republican-controlled Senate are on ice over disagreements over the pace and content of the next package. Democrats argue for urgent new spending, on top of the roughly $3 …
Supreme Court to Break Tradition, Hold Oral Arguments by Teleconference
WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court, breaking with longstanding tradition because of the coronavirus pandemic, said Monday it will hear oral arguments by teleconference in May, including in cases about the potential disclosure of President Trump’s financial records. “In keeping with public-health guidance in response to Covid-19, the Justices and counsel will all participate remotely,” the court said …
U.S. Weighs New Move to Limit China’s Access to Chip Technology
The Trump administration is weighing new trade restrictions on China that would limit the use of American chip-making equipment, as it seeks to cut off Chinese access to key semiconductor technology, according to people familiar with the plan. The Commerce Department is drafting changes to the so-called foreign direct product rule, which restricts foreign companies’ …
More Uninsured People, Faster Growth in Health-Care Spending Due to ACA Tax, Report Says
More Americans are going without health coverage and the pace of spending on health care nationally is rising in part because of an Affordable Care Act tax on insurers, Trump administration officials said Thursday. A federal report from actuaries at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revealed trends that are likely to further fuel …
U.S. Government Is Tripping Over Itself in Race to Dominate 5G Technology
President Trump stood in front of hardhat-wearing cell-tower climbers this spring in the White House and declared deploying a superfast 5G wireless network a national priority. “My administration is focused on freeing up as much wireless spectrum as needed,” Mr. Trump said, referring to the key public resource—airwaves—that makes 5G networks and all the technological …
Turkey, Russia Start Clock on Kurdish Withdrawal From Northern Syria
ISTANBUL—Turkish forces suspended their offensive in northern Syria and Russian security forces began patrolling nearby, under an agreement that gives Kurdish fighters 150 hours to leave what Ankara calls a safe zone in the war-torn country’s north. The approximately six-day pause began midday Wednesday after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan struck an agreement with Russian …
States to Launch Google, Facebook Antitrust Probes
WASHINGTON—State attorneys general are formally launching separate antitrust probes into Facebook Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google unit starting next week, according to people familiar with the matter, putting added pressure on tech giants already under federal scrutiny. The Google probe is expected to be announced at a news conference outside the U.S. Supreme Court on …
FTC Approves Roughly $5 Billion Facebook Settlement
The Federal Trade Commission voted this week to approve a roughly $5 billion settlement with Facebook Inc. over a long-running probe into the tech giant’s privacy missteps, according to people familiar with the matter. The 3-2 vote by FTC commissioners broke along party lines, with the Republican majority lining up to support the pact while …
