The Trump administration has signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, enabling U.S. companies to build and operate commercial nuclear power plants within the kingdom. According to an administration memo, U.S. firms will receive priority access to supply reactors and fuel. The agreement contains provisions prohibiting Saudi Arabia from reprocessing American-supplied material for weapons. However, the memo does not include "gold standard" restrictions that would bar the country from enriching uranium or using fuel from other nations in American-built plants. Critics, including former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, stated the deal could trigger a regional arms race, while proponents suggest it strengthens strategic ties following the war in Iran.
In the House of Representatives, Republicans passed several major bills on Wednesday before the upcoming recess. This included a $1.1 trillion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), supported by six Democrats, and a $95 billion budget blueprint. The budget framework allocates $70 billion for the war in Iran and $12 billion for agricultural support. Lawmakers also voted to extend government funding through December 4 and advanced a measure that would prohibit members of Congress from acquiring new individual stocks. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Republican Leader John Thune (R-SD) must negotiate with Democrats to reach the 60-vote threshold required for passage.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began a two-day hearing on Thursday to determine if compounding pharmacies should be permitted to produce seven specific injectable peptides, such as TB-500 and BPC-157. These substances are marketed by wellness and longevity clinics for muscle growth and recovery but have not completed the large-scale safety trials required for standard FDA approval. Additionally, attorney Benjamin Crump announced that an independent autopsy of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, who was found dead off the Mississippi coast in July, was inconclusive. Crump stated the body was not in a condition suitable for a full forensic examination and called for law enforcement to expedite their investigation.