NYTIMES (Meaghan Tobin and Keith Bradsher) - Why It’s Nearly Impossible to Build a Robot Without China
Building on the country’s electric vehicle industry, Chinese companies are making robot parts at a scale and price point others can’t match.
AXIOS (Neil Irwin) - What it would take to rebuild U.S. manufacturing might
America's dependence on imported manufactured goods looks like a vulnerability in a world of widening geopolitical fractures . Fixing it won't come cheap. The big picture: New research from McKinsey, the global consulting firm, estimates that it would take $2 trillion, or about 6% of U.S. GDP, to build the industrial capacity needed to replace imports of key strategic goods. - That's the equivalent of two years' worth of the current annual defense budget — and doesn't even include the investment needed to cultivate the workers' skills, infrastructure and energy needs. - There is a particular dearth of American manufacturing capacity for advanced electronics, particularly AI servers, and key chemicals, the study finds. State of play:…
ABCNEWS - WATCH: Lithium-ion battery ignites garbage truck near Sacramento, CA
Authorities are now urging residents in the area not to dispose of lithium-ion batteries in the trash.
THENATIONALPULSE (Pulse Wires) - China is Now Spain’s Leading Supplier.
China surpassed Germany as Spain's leading supplier of goods in early 2026, raising concerns over a widening trade deficit and growing economic dependence on Beijing.
China surpassed Germany as Spain’s leading supplier of goods in early 2026, raising concerns over a widening trade deficit and growing economic dependence on Beijing. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: China has overtaken Germany as Spain ‘s top supplier of goods during the first quarter of 2026 , accounting for 11.6 percent of Spain’s imports compared to Germany’s 11.4 percent. This marks a significant shift in trade dynamics, as Germany has historically held this position. DETAIL: Key imports from China include electronics, machinery, and textiles, which have steadily gained market share in Spain, led by the Socialist Party under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. German exports, meanwhile, have been impacted by rising energy costs,…Open
NYTIMES (Penelope Green) - Greg Hyman, Co-Creator of Tickle Me Elmo, Dies at 78
An electronics wizard, he was already a veteran inventor when he collaborated with Ron Dubren on an idea for a toy that giggled. The rest is retail history.
AMERICANGREATNESS (AG News Staff) - Lawsuit: Chinese TV Maker Hisense Accused of Spying on Americans
A new class action lawsuit is accusing Chinese electronics manufacturer Hisense of secretly harvesting viewing data and personal information from millions of American households through […] Source
JUSTTHENEWS (The Center Square Staff) - Class action lawsuit alleges Hisense Chinese TVs spying on Americans
Hisense USA is a Georgia-based company that serves as the U.S. arm of Hisense Group Holdings, a consumer electronics manufacturer which is owned by the government of China.
NYTIMES (Santul Nerkar) - How Suspects Were Caught in Robbery of $1 Million in Apple Products
Federal prosecutors said three men stole watches, iPads and iPhones from a truck in January. One of the men activated Apple watches after the heist, they said.
YOUTUBE (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) - Recall Roundup - Charging This Overnight? Fire Risk
Fire Hazard Recall Alert – Check your charger or power bank now. Several chargers, power banks, and generators have been recalled due to fire and burn hazards. These products can overheat, ignite, or malfunction, posing a serious safety risk. Recalled products include battery chargers, portable power banks, and generators. Links to these recalls: HTRC and Haisito T400 Battery Chargers: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/HTRC-and-Haisito-T400-Battery-Chargers-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-and-Death-from-Fire-Hazard-Manufactured-by-Huizhou-Haitan-Technology VEEKTOMX Portable Charger Mini Power Banks: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Shenzhen-Baihang-Recalls-VEEKTOMX-Mini-Power-Banks-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Sold-on-Amazon…
THENATIONALPULSE (Pulse Wires) - Chinese Robots Smash Human Half Marathon Record.
Two humanoid robots built by the Chinese have completed a half marathon in 48 minutes and 19 seconds and 50 minutes and 26 seconds. Both robots surpassed the human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds set by Ugandan long-distance runner and four-time World Cross Country Champion Jacob Kiplimo earlier this year.
Two robots developed by a Chinese tech company have crushed a human world record for long-distance running at Beijing’s second robot marathon, with another Chinese robot recently coming within a hair of breaking Usain Bolt’s average speed in his world record 100-meter run in 2009. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: - Built by Honor, a Chinese electronics manufacturer, the new records were set during Beijing’s second annual humanoid robot marathon on Sunday, highlighting the swift progress in China’s robotics industry over the last 12 months. DETAIL: Sunday’s second annual humanoid robot marathon showcased two robots from e lectronics manufacturer Honor, a Chinese state-owned enterprise and former subsidiary of Huawei. One of the…Open