Monday, August 17, 2026
AstraZeneca Discontinues Phase III eVOLVE-Lung02 Trial
AstraZeneca is discontinuing the Phase III eVOLVE-Lung02 trial, which evaluated volrustomig plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment compared with pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 <50%.
The decision was based on a recommendation from the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) following a planned review of trial data. The IDMC concluded that the volrustomig combination was unlikely to meet either of the dual primary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) in the primary analysis population of patients with PD-L1-negative tumors (<1%) versus the comparator arm.
AstraZeneca reported that the safety profile of volrustomig plus chemotherapy was consistent with the known profiles of the individual medicines, with no new safety signals identified.
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology Haematology R&D at AstraZeneca, said the trial was initiated with the aim of improving outcomes for patients with lower PD-L1 expression and less durable responses to current immunotherapy regimens. She added:
“While we are disappointed, we will learn from this trial and are determined to continue pioneering new medicines from our industry-leading pipeline in our quest to improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer.”
AstraZeneca said it will work with investigators to ensure continuity of care and appropriate follow-up for patients participating in the trial. Other Phase III trials of volrustomig in cervical cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and mesothelioma will continue as planned.
https://oncodaily.com/trial-updates/astrazeneca-evolve-lung02-568154
'Politico: Burnham may have talked to impersonator of Trump aide'
United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham exchanged messages with someone impersonating a senior adviser to United States President Donald Trump, Politico reported on Monday.
Four officials familiar with the matter told the outlet that the person who contacted the prime minister was posing as White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles before becoming suspicious that the contact was not legitimate. One of the sources said that "a few messages" were exchanged after Burnham took office, but stressed that they were "of no significance."
The UK embassy in Washington raised the issue with the White House amid national security concerns, while the British government voiced fears that Wiles's phone had been hacked, according to the report.
https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Burnham-may-have-talked-to-impersonator-of-Trump-aide/66930700
State Data Center Policy 101
Why Data Center Policy Matters
Data centers, which have long been the backbone of internet infrastructure, have increasingly captured the attention of lawmakers. This is due in large part to the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), which requires substantial processing power and a more urgent need for data centers. Data centers use large amounts of energy and rely on backup generators in the event of a power outage. This has prompted policymakers to consider how to provide sufficient electricity to data centers while minimizing the impact on residential customers.
Key Takeaways
- State lawmakers are increasingly focused on data center policy as AI drives demand for more processing power. In 2025, over 40 states considered 267 related bills. Legislative activity has continued into 2026, with energy, water, zoning, and tax issues all active across multiple states.
- Energy concerns remain the dominant issue, with states weighing how to provide sufficient power to data centers while protecting residential ratepayers. South Carolina and Maryland enacted rate negotiation laws in 2025; similar proposals are moving in additional states in 2026.
- Water usage legislation is gaining momentum in 2026, with states increasingly requiring data centers to disclose and manage water consumption. Minnesota established a separate water permitting requirement for data centers in 2025, and more states are following suit.
- Local regulation is emerging as a significant battleground. State-level moratorium bills have been introduced in 11 states in 2026 but face resistance; meanwhile, dozens of municipalities have moved ahead with local construction pauses, shifting the center of gravity toward local government action.
- Tax incentives for data centers are under renewed scrutiny. States that previously offered generous incentives are reassessing their value as construction costs soar and community opposition grows.
Subscribe to Policy Watch: Data Centers
Data centers are impacted by a wide variety of state policy issues, often sitting at the intersection between energy, environmental issues, zoning, and taxation. As such, it's difficult to be an expert in all of the issue areas. Our newest subscription, Policy Watch: Data Centers, will help government relations professionals make sense of the evolving policy landscape around data centers by summarizing major legislative trends, sharing deep dives on key issues, and offering a landing page for quick reference to previously covered topics, all from MultiState's seasoned policy experts. As these debates continue into 2026 and beyond, staying informed about legislative trends and regulatory developments will be critical for anyone working in this space. Reach out to our team to learn more or subscribe.
Latest Data Center Policy Insights
Our team continues to track state data center policy developments as they unfold. Here are the latest posts from the MultiState Insider:
- Data Center Labor Standards Gain Traction — July 16, 2026
- Michigan Data Center Legislation Targets Energy Use and Community Benefits — July 15, 2026
- State Data Center Policy Shifts as Governors Impose New Restrictions — June 22, 2026
- Are Governors Changing Course on State Data Center Policy? — June 4, 2025
- How States Are Requiring Data Centers to Pay for Grid Expansion (Comparing Ratepayer Protection Bills Across Five States) — June 4, 2025
- Voters Target Data Centers With Local and Statewide Ballot Measures — May 7, 2026.
- With Smart Planning, Data Centers Can Strengthen Texas Communities (Op-Ed) — April 23, 2026.
- Federal AI Data Center Policy Meets Resistance from State Lawmakers — April 14, 2026
- Local Data Center Regulations Gain Ground as State Bills Falter — March 13, 2026
- State Data Center Water Usage Legislation Gains Momentum — March 3, 2026
- Local Government Data Center Oversight Becomes Flashpoint in State Capitols — March 3, 2026
- State Data Center Legislation in 2026 Tackles Energy and Tax Issues — February 20, 2026
- States Rethink Data Center Tax Incentives as Costs Soar — February 4, 2026
- State Data Center Legislation Faces Local Zoning Battles — January 15, 2026
- States Look at Ways to Encourage Off-the-Grid Power for Data Centers — December 16, 2025
- Lawmakers Are Regulating Data Centers and Here's All the Terminology You Should Know — December 2, 2025
https://www.multistate.us/resources/state-data-center-policy-101
Korea Eximbank Lends $1 Billion to Glencore to Secure Copper Working Capital
The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) will provide $1 billion (about 1.4 trillion won) to global commodities firm Glencore. During the loan term, Glencore has agreed to reliably supply Korean companies with copper used in artificial intelligence (AI) and power grids.
The bank said on the 17th that it would provide $1 billion in working capital to Glencore.
Glencore operates mines and smelting facilities that produce copper, zinc and nickel across the world. It also runs a trading business handling more than 60 types of raw materials, built on long-term relationships with thousands of customers and suppliers.
Korea Eximbank expects the loan to strengthen the country's copper procurement base, which relies heavily on imports. Copper is used across industries including electricity, telecommunications, construction, machinery and transportation. Demand for copper is rising rapidly as AI data centers expand and the energy transition accelerates.
"Through a partnership with a company that has established an unrivaled position in the global commodities market, we have been able to secure key materials for our advanced-industry supply chain in a stable manner," a Korea Eximbank official said. "This is preemptive policy financing at the level of economic security."
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Military Contractor's Spy Aircraft Quietly Flying Southern Border On Mysterious Mission
The Pentagon says it does not discuss contractor support to particular missions. The gear aboard mimics cell towers.
Private military contractor Metrea has spent months quietly operating two surveillance-equipped aircraft along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the Arizona Mirror.
The planes have traversed Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, circling at high altitude over border cities including Bisbee and Douglas in Arizona, and Laredo and El Paso in Texas.
Metrea holds multiple contracts with the U.S. military, including a $5.7 million award to support training for U.S. Special Operations Command. The company also conducts simulated training missions for the Marine Corps.
It performs comparable border work overseas, providing what it describes as advanced aerial surveillance to the Australian government for monitoring that country's border regions.
Arizona Mirror reports:
One of the major pieces of equipment installed on the aircraft is a DRT 3300, also sometimes referred to as a "dirtbox." A dirtbox is a piece of equipment that mimics a cell phone tower and acts in a similar manner to "stingray" devices that track cell phones and reportedly can even intercept messages.
It isn't the only equipment on the aircraft meant for "signals intelligence" either. Signals intelligence refers to the collection of information that is transmitted through the airwaves such as radio, wifi or other electronic means. One of the aircraft lists a "Windjammer System" as a piece of equipment that has been installed.
The Trump administration declined to say what the aircraft are doing over the border, or which agency they are working for.
A DHS spokesperson told the Mirror that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection were not flying with Metrea along the southern border. The department did not answer whether the flights support a DHS or a Defense Department mission.
"The Department of War contracts with a number of companies, including Metrea, to provide capabilities in support of military operations across the globe. For operations security reasons, we do not discuss specific contractor support to particular missions or operations," a Defense Department spokesperson wrote in a statement to the Arizona Mirror. "These activities are governed by Attorney General approved procedures that ensure the activities are conducted in a manner that protects the constitutional and legal rights and the privacy and civil liberties of U.S. citizens."
Metrea did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Meanwhile, Metrea's are not the only contractor aircraft working the border. The Mirror reports that a jet belonging to Tenax Aerospace, equipped with high-end mapping technology and previously spotted over the South China Sea and Nigeria, has flown the same route since July.
Civil liberties advocates contend that the secrecy itself is the problem.
"Whatever security rationales are used to justify mass surveillance, whether it is patrolling the border or pursuing the war on drugs, if you're intent on pursuing those policies you have to do it in a way that respects the privacy and constitutional rights of Americans," said Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union's Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, in a statement to the Arizona Mirror.
"Number one, you need policies that ensure transparency so we know what government agencies are doing with the brand new powers that technology is giving them that humans have never had in history," Stanley added. "No matter what your position is, you should agree that it is done in the democratic process and not done by government officials behind closed doors."