In Short:
– Trump and Xi are progressing on a TikTok agreement and plan to meet in South Korea soon.
– Future discussions will address trade, security concerns, and regional tensions between the U.S. and China.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping made headway on a TikTok agreement and plan to meet in South Korea within six weeks.

Their call aimed to reduce tensions between the two superpowers, covering trade, illicit drugs, and the conflict in Ukraine. Despite suggestions of progress, a definitive agreement regarding TikTok remains unclear.

The leaders agreed to further discussions at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in October.

Trump indicated that Xi would visit the U.S. later and that he would head to China next year.

Future Discussions

Trump confirmed that the TikTok deal is progressing, noting potential US control over the app’s algorithm.

Uncertainties remain, including ownership structure and control dynamics with ByteDance. Lawmakers express concerns over national security implications stemming from continued Chinese involvement.

Trump’s tariffs on Chinese exports have increased significantly, complicating relations further.

As trade discussions continue, regional tensions in Taiwan and the South China Sea remain on the agenda, though unaddressed in recent communications.

In Short:
– Trump and Starmer signed a £250 billion Tech Prosperity Deal, enhancing US-UK cooperation in technology sectors.
– Major investments include $30 billion from Microsoft and £90 billion from Blackstone for UK assets.

President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a significant “Tech Prosperity Deal” at Chequers, valued at £250 billion ($340 billion).

The agreement represents the largest commercial package during a state visit, with the US committing £150 billion ($204 billion) to the UK.Starmer labelled the deal as the most substantial investment package in British history, enhancing US-UK cooperation in sectors like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and nuclear energy.

The bulk of the investment comes from major US firms. Microsoft announced a $30 billion commitment over four years, including funds for cloud and AI infrastructure to develop a supercomputer with over 24,000 Nvidia GPUs.

Nvidia also pledged $15 billion for AI infrastructure, kicking off the Stargate UK initiative in partnership with UK companies.

Major Contributions

Investment firm Blackstone will provide £90 billion ($122 billion) over a decade across UK assets, while UK firm GSK has committed $30 billion to US research and manufacturing. The bilateral nature of these investments highlights the deal’s reciprocity.

In Short:
– FedEx Australia plans to add 55 electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions and attract eco-friendly consumers.
– The fleet will start with 15 electric trucks in Adelaide, aiming for a fully electrified global fleet by 2040.

One of Australia’s largest delivery firms, FedEx Australia, plans to add 55 electric vans and trucks to its fleet, aiming to attract environmentally conscious businesses and consumers.

The initiative will start with 15 battery-powered trucks introduced in Adelaide, followed by rollouts in Sydney and Melbourne this year.

The announcement aligns with similar steps taken by companies like ANC Delivers and Australia Post in recent weeks.

FedEx aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with each eCanter truck projected to cut 13.2 tonnes of emissions over 30,000 kilometres compared to diesel vehicles.

The fleet will also include Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans, which are expected to reduce emissions by 8.5 tonnes annually per vehicle.

Fleet Electrification

FedEx plans to expand electric vehicle use to regional depots once charging infrastructure is established. The company aims for a fully electrified global pick-up and delivery fleet by 2040.

Despite higher initial costs, long-term savings and driver demand for electric vehicles are anticipated to offset expenses.

FedEx’s move follows announcements by ANC Delivers, Australia Post, and Linfox, all making strides in electrifying transport amid growing environmental concerns.