US digest: Cornell restores federal research funds, consumer sentiment falls, Boeing expands 787 plant

On Friday, the United States saw major headlines spanning academia, diplomacy, economic sentiment, and industry.

Cornell University reached a high-profile settlement with the Trump administration to restore federal research funds.

President Trump and Hungary’s Viktor Orban discussed the war in Ukraine, consumer sentiment in the US slumped sharply, and Boeing announced a major expansion of its South Carolina facility.

Cornell University reaches deal with Trump administration

Cornell University announced on Friday that it has reached an agreement with the Trump administration to restore hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research funding that had been withheld earlier this year.

Under the settlement, Cornell will pay $30 million to the federal government over three years and invest an additional $30 million into agricultural research aimed at strengthening US farming.

The deal follows the administration’s decision in April to freeze $250 million in funding over alleged civil rights violations.

University President Michael I. Kotlikoff said the agreement restores Cornell’s decades-long partnership with the federal government and reinforces its commitment to academic freedom and institutional independence.

The six-page settlement clarifies that the university admits no wrongdoing.

Cornell also agreed to provide detailed admissions data broken down by college, race, and test scores, and to train staff on a Justice Department memo discouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The deal expires at the end of 2028.

The White House hailed the agreement as a “major win for American students.” Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised it as part of a broader effort to “end divisive DEI policies.”

Similar settlements were reached earlier this year with Columbia and Brown universities.

Trump, Orban discuss Ukraine War at White House

President Donald Trump said on Friday that he expects the war in Ukraine to end “in the not too distant future” following talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House.

The two leaders discussed potential meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though Trump said details would be reported later.

Orban praised Trump’s peace efforts and described the US and Hungary as “pro-peace governments,” contrasting them with other Western nations that, he said, believe Ukraine can win militarily.

Trump expressed a preference to hold any potential meeting with Putin in Budapest, though he added that Russia “does not want to stop the war yet.”

US consumer sentiment falls sharply in November

Consumer confidence in the United States dropped sharply in November, with the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index falling 6.2% month-over-month to 50.3 — down nearly 30% from a year earlier.

The Current Economic Conditions Index plunged 10.8% from October, while expectations for the year ahead declined 2.6%.

Inflation expectations edged slightly higher to 4.7% from 4.6% last month, though long-term expectations fell to 3.6%.

The report highlights growing consumer anxiety amid persistent inflation and uncertainty over tariffs and global trade dynamics.

Boeing breaks ground on $1 Billion South Carolina expansion

Boeing announced on Friday that it has broken ground on a major expansion of its Boeing South Carolina site near Charleston International Airport.

The $1 billion project will increase production capacity for the 787 Dreamliner to 10 jets per month by 2026 and create roughly 1,000 new jobs over the next five years.

The expansion includes a new final assembly building, a parts preparation facility, and upgrades to existing production centers.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope said the investment reflects strong global demand for the 787 family and positions the company to meet customer needs well into the future.