Ismail Akwei is an international journalist, digital media specialist, media literacy advocate, media viability consultant, media trainer, product manager, editor, writer, and media manager with over a decade of experience working with multinational media companies worldwide.

#CongoIsBleeding: New hashtag draws attention to deadly exploitation in Congolese mines

22 Oct 2020  |  face2faceafrica.com  |  English  |  Exploitation

The exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo's mines, involving child slavery, deadly conflicts, and corruption, is gaining global attention through the social media hashtag #CongoIsBleeding. The campaign coincides with Nigeria's #EndSARS protests and has trended in several countries. Cobalt and coltan mining in the DRC, crucial for tech products, involves child labor and fuels violence, with multinational companies and European countries profiting despite the human cost. The Congolese government's inability to protect its people has allowed rebel forces from Rwanda and Uganda to commit atrocities. The campaign represents a call for change and awareness of the dire situation.

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lithium-ion batteries phones laptops

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Radio clients: NPR News, PRI’s The World, BBC World Service, WNYC, NJPR, NPR’s Snap Judgment, Deutsche Welle

Phoners / two-ways / live-to-air: NBC, NPR; Sky News (UK); CBS Radio New York; Deutsche Welle (Germany); CBC News Radio; Radio New Zealand; WNYC (New York)

Lithium-ion batteries are fueling the fire on a burning cargo ship full of Porsches

21 Feb 2022  |  Yahoo Entertainment  |  English  |  Automotive

The cargo ship Felicity Ace is engulfed in flames due to a lithium-ion battery fire that cannot be extinguished with water alone. The ship, which departed from Germany on February 10, was en route to the US carrying approximately 4,000 luxury cars, including Porsches and Bentleys, some of which were electric vehicles. While the initial cause of the fire remains unclear, the lithium-ion batteries are sustaining the blaze.

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Lithium-ion batteries

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Steven Crook is a journalist based in Tainan City, Taiwan.

Rising to the Battery Challenge

26 Sept 2024  |  Taiwan Business TOPICS  |  English  |  Environmental Impact

Taiwan is making significant strides in battery recycling, driven by government regulations, corporate responsibility, and public awareness. The country faces challenges with the increasing volume of waste batteries from electric vehicles, necessitating advancements in recycling technologies. UWin Nanotech Co. is leading efforts with its innovative hydrometallurgy process, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint compared to traditional methods. The EU's stringent recycling regulations serve as a model, emphasizing the importance of recovered materials in new battery production. Despite these efforts, Taiwan's battery recycling industry still faces hurdles, such as the need for higher purity levels in recycled materials and the development of a comprehensive recycling chain. The article highlights the potential of non-lithium alternatives and the importance of repurposing end-of-life EV batteries for energy storage.

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Vanadium redox batteries Lithium-ion batteries

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Enos Denhere is a distinguished freelance investigative journalist from Zimbabwe, renowned for his insightful reporting on a wide array of topics impacting both his home country and the broader African continent. With over a decade of experience, Denhere has developed a reputation for his ...

Zim’s mining resources require transparency and accountability

05 Oct 2023  |  Southern Eye  |  English  |  Environmental Issues

Zimbabwe's mining industry, rich in lithium and other essential metals, is expanding but faces significant challenges related to human rights and environmental degradation. Chinese corporations have established significant mining operations, often at the expense of local laborers and communities. Reports from Action Aid and Zimcodd highlight systemic issues, including forced evictions, poor compensation, and lack of development in mining areas like Goromonzi. The Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba calls for community empowerment and accountability in the face of these challenges, stressing the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) obligations.

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Lithium-ion batteries Lithium

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Ann is an Australian freelance journalist in Mexico City. She reports for international media outlets on social, political and economic issues in Mexico including migration, the 'war on drugs', and feminist and indigenous social movements. 

Contributor to Foreign Policy, BBC New Economy, The New ...

Mexico's lithium discovery is a double-edged sword

01 Oct 2023  |  Toward Freedom  |  English  |  Mining

Mexico's discovery of the world's largest lithium deposits in Sonora, led by Canadian company Bacanora, presents both opportunities and challenges. While lithium is crucial for the global energy transition, its extraction poses significant environmental risks and security concerns, especially in regions controlled by criminal organizations. Chinese company Ganfeng Lithium has partnered with Bacanora to develop the mine, aiming to bolster the global EV market. However, issues such as water shortages, chemical spills, and volatile global lithium prices complicate the scenario. The Mexican government is considering manufacturing EVs in state-owned factories, but the success of this venture will depend on stringent environmental protection standards and effective management.

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Lithium-ion Batteries Lithium Electric Vehicles

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Frederic is a French-Israeli independent TV journalist, director & producer since 1998. Worked for (TLI)(Local Independent Television), TFJ (French Jewish Television), CBC TV/Radio, The Baltic Times, The Epoch Times, The Times of Israel *** Important Note to Producers & Broadcasters***My policy is ...

Energizing Israel with Wastes: Hopes & Hurdles

01 Oct 2023  |  blogs.timesofisrael.com  |  English  |  Energy Production

Israel is advancing in waste management and energy production, focusing on recycling lithium-ion batteries and exploring waste-to-energy solutions. The government and private sector are prioritizing sustainable practices, with initiatives like Waste-to-Energy facilities and international partnerships. Challenges include regulatory gaps and environmental concerns, particularly regarding nuclear and e-waste. Companies like Batte-Re and Co-Energy are innovating in this space, while the Ministry of Environmental Protection sets ambitious targets. Ohio State University's nuclear waste battery project inspires further research in Israel, highlighting the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration and technological advancement.

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Lithium-ion batteries Nuclear waste battery

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Erin Hale is a journalist based in Taipei.

China’s missed emissions target poses challenge to global climate efforts

25 Mar 2025  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Renewable Energy

China's failure to meet its carbon emissions target raises concerns about its ability to achieve carbon neutrality, impacting global climate efforts. Despite missing its carbon intensity reduction goal, China has made significant strides in renewable energy, meeting a substantial portion of its energy demand with clean sources. The Chinese Communist Party's policies, including the Emissions Trading Scheme, aim to transition the economy towards green growth. However, structural changes in the energy sector are necessary to achieve long-term carbon neutrality, with experts expressing concerns about the timeline for these reforms.

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lithium-ion batteries Emissions Trading Scheme solar panels electric vehicles

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Geraldine Herbert is a journalist based in Dublin, Ireland. She  is columnist and motoring editor at the Sunday Independent and Ireland’s first female motoring editor of a national newspaper. A regular contributor to Radio and TV including RTE, Virgin Media and the BBC on motoring and consumer ...

From manufacture to lifetime emissions, just how green are EVs compared to petrol or diesel cars?

29 Oct 2023  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Carbon Emissions

Electric vehicles (EVs) are expected to proliferate on European roads, with carmakers investing heavily in battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Despite zero tailpipe emissions, BEVs' production, including battery manufacturing, contributes to carbon emissions. However, over their lifetime, BEVs emit significantly less CO2 than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Companies like Volkswagen, Toyota, and Hyundai aim for carbon neutrality by mid-century, while Polestar targets a net-zero car by 2030. The environmental benefits of BEVs are projected to grow as the electricity grid becomes greener. Battery technology advancements and ethical mining regulations, such as the European Commission's proposed sustainable battery law, are crucial for reducing the environmental impact. Although challenges remain, the overall impact of BEVs is less than that of ICE cars, especially considering the environmental cost of oil extraction.

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Lithium-ion Batteries Battery Electric Vehicles Internal Combustion Engine Cars Blade Battery Sodium-ion Battery

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Muheet Ul Islam is a journalist and filmmaker who reports from the Indian-administered Kashmir.  His expertise lies in narrative journalism, honed at the Central University of Kashmir.

Muheet's work transcends borders, gaining recognition from a vast network of international media outlets.  ...

Happy for their country, sad for themselves: The villagers living on India’s lithium load

03 Mar 2023  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Economy

India's first discovery of lithium deposits in Salal, Jammu and Kashmir, has sparked a mix of national pride and local concern. The 5.9 million tonnes of lithium, essential for batteries in electric vehicles and gadgets, could position India as the fifth-largest holder of lithium reserves. While the government, represented by Mines secretary Vivek Bharadwaj, sees this as a step towards self-reliance, villagers like Krishan Kumar face the prospect of relocation and environmentalists warn of potential ecological damage. The government plans to auction the reserves in June, amidst debates on the environmental cost of lithium extraction.

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Lithium-ion Batteries Electric Vehicles

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Shuchita is a freelance journalist currently based in France. After working with The Times of India in India for 4 years, she moved to France to explore new cultures. Having expertise in beats like Women and Child Development, Culture, Travel and Education she is now working on these issues and ...

The green scam: How electric vehicles harm the environment that they’re supposed to save

27 Apr 2024  |  nexusnewsfeed.com  |  English  |  Environmental Impact

India's push for electric vehicles (EVs) to improve air quality in cities like New Delhi may inadvertently transfer pollution to rural areas due to the country's reliance on coal-based thermal power plants for electricity. Despite a small current market share, India aims for a 30% share of EVs by 2030 and has over 27 million EVs on the road. However, the environmental benefits of EVs are contingent on charging with green energy, which is challenging given India's projected increase in coal-based electricity generation. The country's electricity demand is rising, and while there are incentives to use renewable energy for charging stations, concerns remain about increased coal mining and emissions from thermal plants. Additionally, the environmental impact of lithium mining for EV batteries in Jammu & Kashmir poses further challenges, although recycling batteries could offer some mitigation.

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Lithium-ion Batteries Electric Vehicles

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Eric Kasongo is a seasoned bilingual journalist (French-English) based in Cape Town, South Africa, with a specialized focus on political and economic affairs in both South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His expertise spans critical sectors such as mining and energy, where he has ...

President Tshisekedi will indeed be at Mining Indaba 2023

06 Feb 2023  |  Matière News  |  French  |  International Relations

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirms his participation in the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa, from February 6-9, 2023. He will join South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in a special session to discuss the strategic advancement of their economies through mining. The DRC, rich in natural resources and holding the largest global reserves of cobalt, sees mining as a key economic driver. Tshisekedi aims to promote investment opportunities in the DRC's mining sector, with a notable partnership with Zambia to develop lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, a significant step towards poverty alleviation and economic growth.

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electric car batteries batteries lithium-ion

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Experienced investigative reporter, editor and project manager with a track record of influential, agenda-setting investigations in financial and consumer media (****)

Dependable breaker of exclusive, distinctive news coverage with a unique contacts book and an intuitive feel for building ...

Energy storage: Batteries not yet included

28 Feb 2020  |  realassets.ipe.com  |  English  |  Infrastructure

Lithium-ion batteries are highlighted as an ideal complement to renewable energy generation, with a focus on their potential integration into the infrastructure asset class. The article explores the implications and challenges of this integration within the context of Europe's institutional real estate investment community.

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I am a journalist based in Washington DC. I have been writing for BBC Vietnamese and VOA Tieng Viet for years. 

I also worked as an independent legal consultant for many developmental projects in Vietnam. I understand about Vietnamese social & political system. Recently, I've moved to Washington ...

Indonesia plays hardball with its nickel

30 Mar 2021  |  www.eastasiaforum.org  |  English  |  Electric Vehicles

Indonesia is strategically positioning itself as a central player in the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain by leveraging its control over nickel resources. The country has seen significant foreign direct investment in nickel smelters and downstream processing, particularly in Morowali, leading to substantial GDP growth. Investments from major companies like Toyota, LG Group, CATL, and Hyundai in the auto and battery manufacturing sectors align with President Joko Widodo's economic development vision. Despite environmental concerns and regulatory challenges, Indonesia's approach to nickel exports and value-added manufacturing appears to be successful, positioning it to benefit from the anticipated growth in demand for EVs and lithium-ion batteries.

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Lithium-ion Batteries Electric Vehicles

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Bilingual news fixer/reporter/editor based in Beijing, China.

TransRUL: A Transformer-Based Multihead Attention Model for Enhanced Prediction of Battery Remaining Useful Life

11 Aug 2024  |  MDPI  |  English  |  Predictive Maintenance

The article introduces the TransRUL model, a transformer-based multihead attention model designed to enhance the prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL) of lithium-ion batteries. The model addresses challenges in traditional RUL prediction methods by incorporating advanced techniques such as dual encoders, positional encoding, and multi-head attention. The research demonstrates that TransRUL outperforms existing models in terms of mean absolute error, root-mean-squared error, and R2 values, offering a robust framework for battery management systems. The study highlights the model's potential to improve battery reliability and safety, though it notes limitations in computational complexity and dataset scope.

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Lithium-ion batteries TransRUL model

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Rebecca Myers is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

Rowan Atkinson: I feel duped by my electric car

03 Jun 2023  |  www.thetimes.com  |  English  |  Automotive Industry

Rowan Atkinson, an early adopter of electric vehicles, expresses his disappointment with current electric car technology, particularly lithium-ion batteries, and urges car owners to keep their vehicles longer to reduce environmental impact. He highlights the limitations of current EV technology and calls for advancements in solid-state batteries and hydrogen fuel. Atkinson also critiques the UK government's plan to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, suggesting it overlooks the full environmental cost of car manufacturing.

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Solid-state Batteries Lithium-ion Batteries Electric Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles Hydrogen Fuel

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Dynamic and restless Journalism graduated with a range of interests, from which I highlight international affairs and the European Union. Amongst my abilities are strong communication and creative skills, which have been developed through my academic and professional experiences, since my early ...

Are electric cars as eco-friendly as they seem? Experts warn about the impact of their manufacturing

01 Oct 2023  |  Top Gear España  |  Spanish  |  Environmental Impact

Electric vehicles are increasingly present on roads worldwide, producing fewer emissions than traditional gasoline cars. However, experts highlight the significant environmental impact of their manufacturing, particularly due to lithium-ion batteries. While electric vehicles have a lower carbon footprint over their lifetime compared to gasoline or diesel cars, the production process still emits substantial carbon. The transition to electric vehicles must be accompanied by broader societal changes, such as increased use of public transport and reduced reliance on private cars, to achieve the desired environmental benefits.

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Lithium-ion batteries

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Giovanni Puglisi is a Freelance Writer / Contributor based in Bangkok, Thailand. He specialises in business, technology and entrepreneurship reporting in APAC. His articles featured on several leading regional publications including CNA, South China Morning Post, TechinAsia, International Finance ...

Charging Ahead: The Race for Superior Energy Storage Solutions Begins

02 Nov 2023  |  medium.datadriveninvestor.com  |  English  |  Technology

Lithium-ion batteries are expected to see a decline in sales within 20 years due to the emergence of superior batteries and the inability to meet new energy storage needs. Future electricity grids, increasingly reliant on wind and solar power, will require more efficient storage solutions. As grids approach 50% wind/solar, the need for 12-hour storage becomes critical, leading to the adoption of alternatives like pumped hydro and compressed gas storage.

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Lithium-ion batteries

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