U.S. battery manufacturing is growing while key materials still come from China. In 2025, China was responsible for over 80% of global battery cell production, while also accounting for about 85% of cathode active material and more than 90% of anode active material. These figures are reported in the International Energy Agency’s 2026 global electric vehicle outlook. Chinese manufacturers supplied nearly three-quarters of worldwide electric vehicle batteries in 2025, with their industrial capacity spanning from refined minerals to finished cells and manufacturing equipment. The U.S. has seen a faster percentage growth in battery manufacturing capacity than China. During 2025, U.S. lithium-ion nameplate capacity increased by approximately 50%. Despite this progress, the country remains highly reliant on imports for critical materials. In 2025, the U.S. recorded 100% net import dependence for natural graphite. China ranked among its main graphite suppliers over the previous four years, and Chinese processors maintain a dominant role in producing battery-grade graphite. China holds the most vital segments of the battery supply chain Federal investments are now targeting these upstream vulnerabilities along with battery assembly. On Aug. 20, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $500 million allocated for seven projects. These initiatives focus on critical mineral processing, domestic battery manufacturing, and recycling within the United States. One project aims to refine material recovered from used lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap, while others emphasize processing domestically sourced materials and developing alternative battery chemistries
Panama Canal transit limits tighten as drought reduces water available for ship crossings. Starting from Sept. 3, the canal offered nine daily slots for Neopanamax ships and 25 for Panamax vessels, totaling 34 slots. By Sept. 15, Panamax availability will decrease to 23 slots, reducing the overall daily capacity to 32. These adjustments are driven by diminished rainfall during Panama’s rainy season and lower inflows into the canal’s watershed. To conserve water, officials have implemented measures such as tighter booking controls and water-saving practices, while closely monitoring Gatun Lake and other water sources.
Health
The World Health Organization has called for a major expansion of the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said health teams still have not identified every chain of transmission. Congo had recorded 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 deaths as of Sept. 1, according to the latest government figures. The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak now affects 60 health zones across six provinces.
Travel
Etihad Airways is set to commence year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast starting on Oct. 4, 2026. The route will link Zayed International Airport to Red Sea International Airport located in Tabuk Province. Initially, the airline will operate one flight per week, increasing to two flights weekly from Oct. 25. The journey duration is just over three hours, making it the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s network.
Technology
U.S. battery manufacturing is growing while key materials still come from China. In 2025, China was responsible for over 80% of global battery cell production, while also accounting for about 85% of cathode active material and more than 90% of anode active material. These figures are reported in the International Energy Agency’s 2026 global electric vehicle outlook. Chinese manufacturers supplied nearly three-quarters of worldwide electric vehicle batteries in 2025, with their industrial capacity spanning from refined minerals to finished cells and manufacturing equipment. The U.S. has seen a faster percentage growth in battery manufacturing capacity than China. During 2025, U.S. lithium-ion nameplate capacity increased by approximately 50%. Despite this progress, the country remains highly reliant on imports for critical materials. In 2025, the U.S. recorded 100% net import dependence for natural graphite. China ranked among its main graphite suppliers over the previous four years, and Chinese processors maintain a dominant role in producing battery-grade graphite. China holds the most vital segments of the battery supply chain Federal investments are now targeting these upstream vulnerabilities along with battery assembly. On Aug. 20, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $500 million allocated for seven projects. These initiatives focus on critical mineral processing, domestic battery manufacturing, and recycling within the United States. One project aims to refine material recovered from used lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap, while others emphasize processing domestically sourced materials and developing alternative battery chemistries