China is dominating the electric vehicle market, including battery manufacturing. According to Mint, more than half the world’s EV batteries are made in China.  To make those batteries, Chinese-owned companies have to mine a large amount of cobalt. Congressional investigations have found Chinese-owned companies rely on forced labor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo…

In March, the Biden administration issued a new directive requiring U.S. automakers to cut the average carbon emissions of their fleets by almost 50% before 2032. That order is one component of President Biden’s larger goal to cut total U.S. carbon emissions in half by 2030. A primary method for reaching these goals will involve…

The House passed a foreign aid package on Saturday, April 20, a victory for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., as he managed dissent within his own party and turned to Democratic colleagues for support. The $95 billion package, divided across four bills, supports Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, replenishes U.S. arms, and includes measures to seize Russian assets and…

The 12-person jury is set to hear opening statements in former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial. Learn more about what is in the $95 billion foreign aid package passed by the House. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, April 22, 2024. Jury to hear opening statements in Trump’s first criminal trial…

Nearly 4,000 Tesla Cybertrucks, with a total value of around $240 million, are being recalled by the automaker after reported safety problems with their accelerator pedals. Drivers have been complaining about instances of these pedals getting stuck stuck all the way down, putting the almost 7,000 pound vehicle at an unexpected full throttle speed. The…

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, D, announced on Friday, April 19, that San Francisco is getting two giant pandas from China. Currently, there are only four Chinese panda bears in the U.S. Each panda is currently located at Atlanta’s zoo but they are set to return to China later this year. “San Francisco is absolutely…

FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that hackers linked to the Chinese government have infiltrated U.S. infrastructure and are waiting for “just the right moment to deal a devastating blow.” Wray emphasized the immediate threats China poses to U.S. national and economic security during his speech at the Vanderbilt Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats on…

Israel struck back in its first military response to Iran since last weekend’s attack. The 12-person jury is selected in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, April 19, 2024. Israel carried out strike against Iran in response to drone attack Israeli forces struck back…

NASA’s logo from the ’50s to today have switched multiple times. First it was the meatball, then the worm, then back to the meatball, and now it’s both the meatball and the worm. The return of the worm comes as more countries and companies revive a space craze. “It’s become a cult thing with a…

Chinese automakers invested millions to build electric vehicle factories in Mexico. This move is a potential attempt to sell to American consumers while avoiding the high U.S. tariffs on cars imported from China. However, a recent report from Reuters has indicated the Mexican government may put a stop to this. The 27.5% tax that Chinese…