Critical Minerals & Rare Earths: A University of Michigan study says the U.S. and Canada may have enough rare earth deposits to reduce dependence on China, but scaling production would be costly and likely needs government support and cross-border coordination. Energy & Supply Chains: India’s BRICS energy strategy is framed as hedging—Russian crude plus Western-aligned solar manufacturing and African/Latin mineral deals—yet the piece argues each leg constrains the others. Industrial Policy & Regulation: A federal appeals court rejected the EPA’s bid to scrap a Biden-era soot rule, keeping tighter limits on fine particle pollution for power plants and industrial sources. Manufacturing Workforce & Competition: Vermont’s Beta Technologies expansion is pulling skilled aircraft maintenance staff from Green Mountain Avionics, highlighting how fast-growing manufacturers can strain local talent pools. Trade & Logistics: The Port of Brownsville finished a $295M ship-channel deepening to handle larger vessels and expand energy exports. Tech & Chips: India and the U.S. are deepening cooperation on semiconductors, AI, quantum tech, and critical minerals through “trusted” supply-chain projects. Auto & Reliability: J.D. Power data shows record owner-reported problems driven by software and connectivity, even as Lexus keeps topping dependability rankings. Defense Industrial Base: Reports say an Anduril plan to acquire Nissan’s Oppama plant in Japan is drawing anti-war protests over a shift from auto production to drone manufacturing.