&w=3840&q=100)
Trump signs order to boost drone security ahead of World Cup, Olympics
Bloomberg
By Allyson Versprille and Hadriana Lowenkron
President Donald Trump signed executive orders Friday to bolster US drone capabilities, including strengthening counter-drone tools ahead of major sporting events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics that will be hosted in the country.
'Taking action on airspace security has never been timelier,' Michael Kratsios, the director of White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy, told reporters Friday, citing the upcoming events that are expected to draw millions of fans to the US. 'The administration is cracking down on unlawful drone use, ordering a federal task force to ensure US control over American skies and prioritizing the detection and identification of drones in real time.'
The intention of the three orders, according to officials, is to boost US manufacturing and innovation while decreasing reliance on foreign adversaries, such as China, which dominates the commercial drone market.
One executive order to improve counter-drone capabilities establishes the task force, which would review and propose solutions to threats, according to a White House fact sheet.
The order also calls for the creation of a national training center to prepare authorities for the World Cup and Olympics and instructs the Federal Aviation Administration to expedite a rule for restricting drone flights near certain facilities, including critical infrastructure, oil refineries, chemical plants and amusement parks.
The proposed regulation is already being reviewed by the White House's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
'Drones are a disruptive technology,' said Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president. 'They have an amazing potential for both good and ill.'
A second executive order is intended to promote the US market for new technologies, including drones and air taxis. It directs the FAA to speed up another rule under White House review that would allow companies to fly drones beyond a remote pilot's direct line of sight without having to obtain individual waivers and exemptions. Companies, such as those using drones to deliver packages, have said the rules will make it easier for them to scale up their businesses and expand to more locations.
The order also directs federal agencies to give priority to US-manufactured drones, according to a fact sheet.
Senior White House officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity before the orders were signed Friday, said the directive was meant to reduce reliance on technology from other countries. While it doesn't ban any specific companies, such as China's Da Jiang Innovations — the world leader in commercial drone sales — it does direct the Commerce Department to begin investigations and regulatory reviews to safeguard the US drone supply chain.
That could result in a company being placed on a list that would bar new drones from being able to access US networks, one of the officials said. The National Defense Authorization Act enacted at the end of 2024 mandated reviews of both DJI and Autel Robotics, another Chinese firm, to determine if they pose a national security risk.
The Trump administration has expanded restrictions on the transfer of advanced technology to China, including artificial intelligence and jet engine parts — moves that are a key point in trade discussions between the world's two largest economies.
According to the Atlantic Council, China controls 90% of the commercial drone market in the US and 80% globally. American companies have struggled to compete, which the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International has said is partly because Beijing subsidizes its domestic companies, allowing them to offer products at prices significantly lower than US counterparts.
The third executive order is meant to promote supersonic technology in the US, in part by repealing regulations officials cast as impeding development. That includes directing the FAA to repeal a ban on supersonic flights over land, according to a White House fact sheet.
Michael Robbins, the chief executive officer of AUVSI, hailed the orders, saying they 'showcase that drones are critical to American economic strength, national security, and global leadership.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Those days are over': Trump slams tech giants over China factories, India hiring
At the AI Summit, President Trump declared an end to US tech firms outsourcing jobs to China and India. Criticising 'radical globalism,' he accused companies of betraying American workers by building factories abroad and hiring foreign talent. Trump signed three executive orders on AI to boost US tech, urging Silicon Valley to embrace 'patriotism' and put America first in the global AI race. Show more Show less
Economic Times
27 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Midcap IT sees near-term pressure, long-term growth still intact: Krishna Sanghavi
Broadly, clarity in the U.S. economy will be key, and both large and midcap IT companies will continue to follow their respective growth paths depending on their end markets. "The global context clearly matters. For India, the finalization of tariffs will be critical, as it could significantly influence growth opportunities for Indian corporates aiming to capture a share of the U.S. market and its consumption economy," says Krishna Sanghavi, Mahindra Manulife MF. There are a lot of uncertainties that the markets are digesting at present. We're keeping an eye on escalating tensions in the global market, especially on the commodity front—both energy and precious metals—where multiple contingent scenarios are emerging. What is your view on the current texture of the market, both domestically and globally? Krishna Sanghavi: If we look at the markets globally, things are still in a fairly uncertain zone, especially with regard to tariffs. While many countries have finalized their tariff agreements with the U.S., India is among the few still awaiting a final outcome. Over the last three to four months, the biggest concern has been how tariffs would play out—both in terms of uncertainty and the potential impact of higher prices for American consumers or other global of these issues seem to be resolving, and hopefully, the timelines set will bring more clarity. As a result, global markets have been hitting new highs. Most major economies have returned to their pre-April levels, and stock markets are performing well. So, risk sentiment is back—and that applies to India as well. Indian markets have also recovered nicely from their April global context clearly matters. For India, the finalization of tariffs will be critical, as it could significantly influence growth opportunities for Indian corporates aiming to capture a share of the U.S. market and its consumption economy. Back home, the earnings season is in full swing. What's your take so far? Are you expecting a recovery in the second half, given the low base? And which sectors are you most optimistic about? Krishna Sanghavi: Yes, the lower base is certainly helpful. As we move into the second half of this year and into early FY27, it will positively reflect on the earnings front. As of now, with Q1 earnings season underway, expectations were already muted. Broadly, the results are in line—slightly below expectations in some cases. We'll have to see how the rest of the season plays out. From a sectoral perspective, BFSI looks quite interesting. It appears relatively immune to any developments around tariffs. Similarly, the Indian consumption sector is largely insulated from direct tariff impacts, which makes it an attractive space right now. Looking ahead, the broader India story—around manufacturing and capex—remains strong. We may just need to wait through one or two quarters of earnings for greater back to tariffs, a favorable resolution could actually help revive the Indian capex cycle. Indian corporates may find new opportunities to invest in manufacturing for the U.S. market, which would be a significant mentioned that the Indian consumption sector looks promising because it's shielded from tariffs and is primarily a domestic story. Within that broader basket, which themes are you focusing on? FMCG, staples, retail, travel, tourism? Krishna Sanghavi: It's a bit of everything, really. I'd say the term here is 'sector divergence.' What's playing out in India is essentially a K-shaped recovery—where the upper-income segments are doing well. This is boosting discretionary spending, including travel and the same time, we're seeing initiatives from the government aimed at the lower end of the K-curve. We have events like the upcoming Pay Commission revision, and recent tax-saving measures announced in the Budget, which are now putting more money in people's yes, the consumption space looks attractive overall, but within sectors, some companies will benefit more than others. It's a space with internal divergence. What's your assessment of the banking and financial sector? Despite market volatility, banks seem to be supporting the market. The quarterly updates from larger banks were strong—be it deposit or credit growth. Let's focus on names like SBI with its QIP, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank. Krishna Sanghavi: As you mentioned, the banks that have reported results have shown a positive outlook across parameters—credit growth, margins, and especially asset quality, which has remained strong. A pickup in credit growth would definitely help, and over the next six months, the impact of the CRR cut could further improve liquidity. Also, the transmission of lower interest rates to bank liabilities will play out positively. Overall, BFSI looks like a good space to be in. What's your take on FII positioning? Despite resilience in the Indian market and optimism from factors like the tax cuts and consumption recovery, FIIs continue to be net sellers—over ₹26,000 crore this month. Do you think this trend will pause in the near term? Krishna Sanghavi: When analyzing FII behavior, it's important to understand that they assess India alongside a range of other global investment destinations. Over the past six months, several other emerging markets have performed well, so FIIs may be reallocating capital accordingly. That said, clarity on tariffs could provide a strong macro case for India, improving its relative attractiveness. We also shouldn't overlook the fact that Indian markets have been among the best-performing globally over the last three years. Some portfolio rebalancing and profit-booking is natural after such a strong run. Lastly, let's touch on the IT sector. What was expected to perform well hasn't quite delivered, particularly in midcaps. While we've discussed large caps, what's your view on midcap IT? And if you had to choose between large and midcap, where does your conviction lie? Krishna Sanghavi: If you look at the business model of IT companies, most of their customer base is outside India—primarily in the U.S. And with the U.S. economy facing its own uncertainties, including tariff-related concerns, that inevitably has an impact. Midcap IT has been growing faster than large-cap peers over the past few years, and valuations had factored in that growth. So, some correction following a single quarter's underperformance is not unexpected. However, we shouldn't overreact to one quarter's company has its own customer base and sectoral exposure, so outcomes will vary. Broadly, clarity in the U.S. economy will be key, and both large and midcap IT companies will continue to follow their respective growth paths depending on their end markets.
NDTV
31 minutes ago
- NDTV
Columbia University To Pay $220 Million In Deal With Trump To Restore Federal Funding
New York: Columbia University announced Wednesday it has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus. Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay a $200 million settlement over three years, the university said. It will also pay $21 million to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish employees that occurred following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the White House said. "This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty," acting University President Claire Shipman said. The school had been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support, including more than $400 million in grants canceled earlier this year. The administration pulled the funding because of what it described as the university's failure to squelch antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas war. Columbia has since agreed to a series of demands laid out by the Republican administration, including overhauling the university's student disciplinary process and applying a contentious, federally endorsed definition of antisemitism not only to teaching but to a disciplinary committee that has been investigating students critical of Israel. Wednesday's agreement - which does not include an admission of wrongdoing - codifies those reforms while preserving the university's autonomy, Shipman said. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the deal "a seismic shift in our nation's fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment." "Columbia's reforms are a roadmap for elite universities that wish to regain the confidence of the American public by renewing their commitment to truth-seeking, merit, and civil debate," McMahon said in a statement. As part of the agreement, Columbia agreed to a series of changes previously announced in March, including reviewing its Middle East curriculum to make sure it was "comprehensive and balanced" and appointing new faculty to its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies. It also promised to end programs "that promote unlawful efforts to achieve race-based outcomes, quotes, diversity targets or similar efforts." The university will also have to issue a report to a monitor assuring that its programs "do not promote unlawful DEI goals." In a post Wednesday night on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump said Columbia had "committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus." He also warned, without being specific, "Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming." The pact comes after months of uncertainty and fraught negotiations at the more than 270-year-old university. It was among the first targets of Trump's crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests and on colleges that he asserts have allowed Jewish students be threatened and harassed. Columbia's own antisemitism task force found last summer that Jewish students had faced verbal abuse, ostracism and classroom humiliation during the spring 2024 demonstrations. Other Jewish students took part in the protests, however, and protest leaders maintain they aren't targeting Jews but rather criticizing the Israeli government and its war in Gaza. Columbia's leadership - a revolving door of three interim presidents in the last year - has declared that the campus climate needs to change. Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students "questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States," and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to "civil discourse." In a move that would potentially make it easier for the Trump administration to deport students who participate in protests, Columbia promised to provide the government with information, upon request, of disciplinary actions involving student-visa holders resulting in expulsions or suspensions. Columbia on Tuesday announced it would suspend, expel or revoke degrees from more than 70 students who participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration inside the main library in May and an encampment during alumni weekend last year. The pressure on Columbia began with a series of funding cuts. Then Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student who had been a visible figure in the protests, became the first person detained in the Trump administration's push to deport pro-Palestinian activists who aren't U.S. citizens. Next came searches of some university residences amid a federal Justice Department investigation into whether Columbia concealed "illegal aliens" on campus. The interim president at the time responded that the university was committed to upholding the law. Columbia was an early test case for the Trump administration as it sought closer oversight of universities that the Republican president views as bastions of liberalism. Yet it soon was overshadowed by Harvard University, which became the first higher education institution to defy Trump's demands and fight back in court. The Trump administration has used federal research funding as its primary lever in its campaign to reshape higher education. More than $2 billion in total has also been frozen at Cornell, Northwestern, Brown and Princeton universities. Administration officials pulled $175 million from the University of Pennsylvania in March over a dispute around women's sports. They restored it when school officials agreed to update records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and change their policies. The administration also is looking beyond private universities. University of Virginia President James Ryan agreed to resign in June under pressure from a U.S. Justice Department investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion practices. A similar investigation was opened this month at George Mason University (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
