Nvidia’s China Troubles Aren’t Over

A top Pentagon official has confirmed that the U.S. will continue pouring money into domestic critical minerals projects—think lithium, cobalt, and rare earths—to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, especially China. This isn’t just about economics; it’s a national security play, ensuring the military and tech sectors have steady access to materials vital for everything from batteries to fighter jets.

Editor’s Note: The U.S. is doubling down on its strategy to untangle supply chains from geopolitical rivals. If you’ve ever wondered why your EV battery or smartphone might get pricier during global tensions, this move is part of the fix. It’s also a signal to allies (and adversaries) that America isn’t backing down in the race for mineral independence.

Investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald is reportedly nearing a $4 billion deal to merge with a Bitcoin-focused company led by Adam Back, a well-known figure in the crypto world. The deal would use a SPAC (a "blank check" shell company designed for acquisitions) to bring the Bitcoin business public. It’s another sign of Wall Street’s growing appetite for crypto ventures, even as the market remains volatile.

Editor’s Note: SPACs were all the rage a couple of years ago, and now they’re being used to bring crypto companies into the mainstream financial world. If this deal goes through, it could signal more institutional interest in Bitcoin—but it also raises questions about whether traditional finance and decentralized crypto can really mesh. Either way, it’s a big bet on Bitcoin’s future.

Blackstone, the heavyweight investment firm, is teaming up with US utility giant PPL to build natural gas power plants through a joint venture. The move signals a bet on gas as a transitional energy source, even as the world grapples with shifting toward renewables.

Editor’s Note: This partnership highlights the messy middle ground of the energy transition. While renewables are growing, big players still see gas as a necessary bridge—especially with energy demand rising. It’s a pragmatic play, but one that’ll likely stir debate about how fast we should (or can) move away from fossil fuels.

Mexico is signaling it's ready to take steps if trade talks with the U.S. don’t yield a deal by August, when new tariffs are set to kick in. The statement is a mix of diplomatic caution and a subtle warning—essentially saying, "We’re negotiating, but we won’t just accept whatever’s handed to us."

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about tariffs—it’s a high-stakes chess move in U.S.-Mexico relations. If talks collapse, it could ripple through supply chains, consumer prices, and even broader diplomacy. Mexico’s tone suggests they’re preparing for a fight, but leaving the door open for compromise. For anyone who buys goods crossing that border (so, most of us), this matters.

Nextdoor is giving its app a fresh look and shifting its focus to local news and alerts in an effort to get users more involved. CEO Nirav Tolia chatted about the changes on Bloomberg Tech, hinting that the platform wants to be your go-to for neighborhood updates—not just classifieds or casual chatter.

Editor’s Note: Nextdoor’s trying to stay relevant in a crowded social media landscape by doubling down on what makes it unique: hyper-local connections. If it works, it could mean fewer lost pet posts and more useful, real-time updates about what’s happening right outside your door. For users, that’s either a welcome upgrade or just another app tweak to get used to.