Weekly News Summary: Trump Unveils Alaska-Japan LNG Partnership, Promises Energy Boost and Jobs

President Donald Trump announced a joint venture between the United States and Japan focused on Alaska’s liquefied natural gas (LNG). During a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump stated that Japan will import American LNG, noting Alaska’s position as an oil and gas hub.

President Donald Trump announced a joint venture between the United States and Japan focused on Alaska’s liquefied natural gas (LNG). During a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump stated that Japan will import American LNG, noting Alaska’s position as an oil and gas hub. This partnership is expected to create jobs and potentially reduce the trade deficit in Asia. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy and Senator Dan Sullivan expressed optimism about the project’s potential to impact the American steel industry and provide energy to allies in the Asia-Pacific region. However, environmental groups like the Alaska Wilderness League have raised concerns about the potential greenhouse gas emissions from the project, which they argue could undermine global climate efforts.

Meanwhile, President Trump has directed the U.S. Treasury to cease the production of pennies, citing the cost of minting the one-cent coin. The U.S. Mint reported that producing a penny costs 3.69 cents, marking the 19th consecutive year that production costs have exceeded the coin’s face value. Rising metal prices, particularly copper, have contributed to this increase. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has criticized the financial burden on taxpayers, noting that penny production cost over $179 million in the fiscal year 2023. Opponents, such as The Penny Coalition, argue that eliminating the penny could lead to price rounding that disproportionately affects lower-income individuals.

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency also alleges that FEMA misallocated $59 million intended for disaster relief to luxury hotels in New York City for housing migrants, in violation of the President’s executive order. Musk's department plans to demand a clawback of these funds.

A leaked FBI document has sparked controversy over planned ICE raids in Los Angeles. The leak, reportedly from FBI officials, has led to public criticism from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who condemned the FBI’s actions. The planned immigration enforcement operation aims to target individuals without legal status or with pending removal orders, with assistance from FBI and DEA agents. The FBI has denied involvement in the leak and announced an internal investigation to identify the source.

The UK government is reportedly involved in a controversy with Apple regarding iCloud encryption. Allegations suggest that the UK secretly ordered Apple to create a backdoor in its encrypted iCloud storage, potentially affecting two billion users worldwide. Apple is legally prohibited from disclosing this order, raising concerns about privacy and government overreach. Privacy advocates, such as Privacy International, have condemned the alleged order, calling it a violation of privacy rights and urging Apple to resist such demands.

Finally, the problem of deteriorating infrastructure has been noted in advanced economies like the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Maintenance costs are rising, yet these expenditures do not directly contribute to economic output. The push for renewable energy adds complexity, requiring significant infrastructure investments without immediate economic benefits.