
What Is China's 'Lithium City'?
The surging popularity of electric vehicles has transformed Yichun, in Central China, into the country's lithium mining capital. But the incessant grind feeding the world's leading battery industry masks the reality that very few of those operating here are making a profit. Bloomberg's Dan Murtaugh reports. (Source: Bloomberg)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
£10k to invest? 3 investment trusts to target a £1,410 second income this year
Dividends can never be guaranteed, and especially during economic downturns. UK shares are typically known as good shares to buy for investors targeting a second income. But British companies aren't immune to the profits problems that can impact shareholder payouts. Purchasing dividend-focused investment trusts can be a great way to reduce (if not completely eliminate) these threats. These financial vehicles often hold stakes in a variety of companies. So problems felt by a handful of companies doesn't necessarily mean that investors' dividend income collapses. With this in mind, here are three top trusts I think could be great sources of long-term passive income. If broker forecasts are correct, a £15,000 lump sum spread equally among them will yield a £1,410 second income this year alone. Economic bumpiness in China has been a problem for Henderson Far East Income (LSE:HFEL) recently. Trouble in its core market (and contagion to nearby economies) has caused its share price to drop. This has, in turn, supercharged its dividend yield. While risks remain, I think this emerging market trust could deliver great long-term returns. I certainly expect it to continue raising dividends for the foreseeable future (annual rewards have risen every year since 2008). This Henderson trust holds stakes in around 70 companies. These range across sectors and include Alibaba, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and China CITIC Bank. I think it's worth considering as way to capitalise on soaring Asian wealth and population levels. As its name implies, the Chelverton UK Dividend Trust (LSE:SDV) is focused on generating returns from London-listed shares. This leaves it more vulnerable to nation-specific risks than continental or investment trusts. But with more than 60 holdings, and a focus on mid-to-small-cap companies, it still offers a diversified approach that can provide long-term payout growth. Dividends here have risen consistently for the past 14 years. Like Henderson Far East Income, Chelverton's capital is spread across a wide spectrum of sectors. Industrial goods and services, financial services, and construction are especially well represented through shares like Smiths News, Duke Royalty, and Severfield. Small-cap shares like this can be more volatile than blue-chip stocks, which is a risk to consider. However, they can also have superior growth potential over time. As a real estate investment trust (REIT), this particular vehicle's set up in a way that prioritises dividends income. Sector rules mean that 90% of rental earnings must be paid out each year. This doesn't always guarantee a reliable passive income. But Social Housing REIT (LSE:SOHO) focuses on the stable supported housing sector, which provides a cushion of safety. Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Unlike those other two trusts, this one doesn't invest in equities. Instead, it holds a portfolio of almost 500 residential properties comprising around 3,500 homes. This helps protect group earnings from problems (such as rent collection or cost issues) at one or two locations. Despite interest rate risks, I think this property trust is worth serious consideration for dividends. The post £10k to invest? 3 investment trusts to target a £1,410 second income this year appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jointly Protecting People's Rights in Digital Era
BEIJING, June 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Emerging technologies like AI, big data and the Internet of Things are rapidly reshaping the world in this era of digital intelligence. However, they are also bringing challenges to human rights, which makes joint efforts essential. Science and Technology Daily spoke with international experts on these issues against the backdrop of the 2025 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and Cátedra China Foundation in Madrid, Spain, on June 25 on the theme "Human Rights in the Era of Digital Intelligence." One major challenge is the persisting digital divide between different countries and regions. To better protect digital rights in underprivileged countries — particularly in the Global South — governments, in partnership with international organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union and World Bank, must prioritize building Internet infrastructure in rural and underserved areas, Denis Simon, a visiting professor at the Asian Pacific Studies Institute, Duke University, said. The digital divide is not merely a matter of infrastructure — it also involves education, economic capacity, policy frameworks and global inequalities in technological power, Simon said, adding that large-scale investments in digital literacy, especially for women, youth and marginalized communities, are critical. Dr. Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, a senior lecturer and researcher at the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages), Sanming University, China, stressed that digital education initiatives, such as teaching people how to use technology safely, recognizing misinformation and disinformation, and understanding their rights online, are equally important. China has made significant strides through infrastructure investment, Internet access, digital infrastructure, and inclusive policies when it comes to bridging the digital divide, Islam said. The country has rapidly expanded 5G networks and fiber-optic coverage to rural and remote areas, with initiatives like the "Digital Rural Revitalization Strategy" bringing high-speed internet to millions of villages. Programs like Smart Villages and e-commerce poverty alleviation initiatives have connected millions of small producers to national markets. Targeted programs in digital literacy have been launched, especially for the elderly, rural residents and ethnic minorities, Simon said. Despite bringing benefits to people's daily life, AI is a double-edged sword. Osuagwu Obinna Ikechukwu, a Master's student at Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, said AI challenges include data privacy violations, algorithmic bias, threats to intellectual property, and opaque decision-making. Addressing these requires robust data governance, transparent and accountable AI systems, and inclusive design processes. Simon pointed out that AI systems introduce profound new risks to fundamental rights due to their complexity, opacity and governance requires coordinated global action, as no single country can regulate cross-border algorithms, datasets, or platforms alone. A global framework developed through collaboration between governments, tech companies, civil society and experts could help set clear ethical guidelines and legal protections for issues like privacy, fairness and accountability, said Islam. It is also vital to include voices from the Global South and other underrepresented regions. Bridging the digital divide and ensuring responsible AI governance needs joint efforts — and the younger generation has a crucial role to play in it. The younger generation is both the most affected by and the most capable of shaping the digital future, Simon said. He suggested that young people leverage social media and online platforms to educate, mobilize and advocate for equitable digital policies, and help close the digital literacy gap by mentoring peers and older generations. Governments and international bodies should institutionalize youth consultation in digital governance discussions, he added. View original content: SOURCE Science and Technology Daily Sign in to access your portfolio


Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Bloomberg
Mo Ibrahim on Financing in Africa, Telecoms, Sudan War
Businessman and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim gives his take on rethinking the financing framework across the continent, outlining why he thinks good governance is crucial for attracting investments. He also take about the state of telecoms in Africa after making his multi-billion dollar exit from the sector nearly two decades ago. Ibrahim also discusses the urgent need for a solution to the conflict in his country of origin, Sudan. He speaks to Bloomberg's Jennifer Zabasajja. (Source: Bloomberg)