The UK is poised to become a significant player in the electric car market by developing its lithium mining capabilities, which could attract companies like Tesla and reduce reliance on long, environmentally damaging supply chains dominated by China. Britishvolt plans to build a Gigafactory in South Wales, and the UK government's Faraday Battery Challenge is funding studies for lithium supply in Cornwall. Companies like Cornish Lithium and British Lithium are advancing projects to supply battery-grade lithium, with the former partnering with Geothermal Engineering Ltd to build Europe's first geothermal lithium recovery pilot plant. The European initiative Battery Passport promotes supply chain localization and ethical practices, which could help break China's market control. Despite Brexit uncertainties and competition from other European countries, the UK's potential for carbon-neutral or negative lithium extraction positions it well for the future energy revolution.

The Scottish Government has decided not to participate in the campaign for an official national anthem, emphasizing that the decision should not be led by any single political party. The debate, sparked by Aberdeen student Chris Cromar, centers around adopting 'Flower of Scotland' as the national anthem, which has received mixed reactions. While some support the song for its unifying potential, others criticize its lyrics as backward-looking and militaristic. The Scottish Football Association's consultation showed a narrow majority in favor of the song. Alternative suggestions include organizing a competition to create a new anthem.

Adventurer Jason Lewis, known for his human-powered circumnavigation of the globe, is undertaking a new journey with his wife Tammie Stevens to circumnavigate the UK coast, focusing on Wales. Their expedition, part of the larger GB360 project, aims to be carbon neutral and involves traveling by bike, kayak, and their pedal boat Moksha. The couple faced challenges such as Stevens' fear of water and the complexities of navigating tidal systems. Along their journey, they are documenting individuals and groups like Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners (NARC) who are actively engaged in sustainable living and combating environmental issues like ghost fishing. The trip emphasizes the power of local action in driving sustainable change and highlights regional solutions to global problems.

The felt piano, a technique involving placing a strip of felt between the piano's hammers and strings, has seen a resurgence in modern classical music and soundtracks. Pioneered by composers like Chilly Gonzales, Nils Frahm, and Ólafur Arnalds, the felt piano offers a softer, more intimate sound. This technique, which dates back to the classical period, has been popularized in contemporary media and music production, with companies like Spitfire Audio and Native Instruments creating virtual instruments to emulate the felt piano sound. The felt piano's unique tonal qualities make it a favored choice for creating emotive and nuanced music.

Rhys Thomas, a freelance journalist, recently secured his first men's advice column for Vice Media titled 'Hey Man'. His journey began at Nottingham University, followed by a postgraduate course at City, University of London. After an internship at Vice, he impressed editors with his dedication and first-person storytelling, leading to the creation of his column. Thomas emphasizes the importance of confidence and self-promotion for young writers, encouraging them to be bold with their ideas.

2020 has posed significant challenges for journalists, particularly student journalists who may be unprepared for the mental health risks associated with covering stressful topics. Tamara Kamis, a mental health advocate and student journalist for The Cornell Daily Sun, shares four strategies to build supportive and resilient student newsrooms. These include developing collaborative plans and scheduling downtime to ensure rest and mental well-being. A healthy newsroom culture that promotes teamwork can make coping with mental illness easier.

Breaking into journalism often involves internships where you can learn on the job and network with editors. Despite many internships being canceled due to covid-19, virtual work experiences are still available. Sian Elvin, Assistant News Editor at Metro.co.uk, offers ten tips on JournoResources for maximizing work experience, including coming prepared with story ideas. Avoid pitching breaking news as those stories are likely already assigned. Stay updated with job opportunities by subscribing to the daily newsletter and checking the jobs board.

With the upcoming US presidential election, newsrooms are preparing for a surge of misinformation. Social media is a significant source of false information, spreading faster than the truth. H. Colleen Sinclair, an associate professor of social psychology at Mississippi State University, offers ten tips on IJNet to identify misinformation, emphasizing the importance of checking the source before sharing. She recommends using websites like The Media Bias/Fact Check to verify credibility.

An Aberdeenshire church has a unique historical connection to Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' through a fundraising effort by Stoker's wife, Florence Balcombe, who contributed a 'Dracula Salad' recipe to a pamphlet sold to aid Cruden Parish Church. The church, dating back to 1776, used the funds to build an extension to house an organ. Stoker, who frequently visited Cruden Bay, wrote parts of 'Dracula' there, drawing inspiration from nearby Slains Castle. The church's minister, Rev Sean Swindells, highlighted this historical link in an online reflection, emphasizing the church's ongoing community engagement despite being physically closed.

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly important as the climate crisis worsens, with Tesla leading the market. However, the focus is shifting to electric delivery trucks, with companies like Amazon investing heavily in start-ups such as Rivian. These investments aim to reduce the carbon footprint of goods transportation, which is significant in Europe. Mainstream manufacturers have been slow to adopt electric vans due to infrastructure challenges and budget constraints of smaller delivery operators. Innovations like smart charging systems and automated manufacturing are being explored to make electric delivery vans more viable. The future of home delivery remains uncertain, but successful implementation of these green technologies could significantly impact carbon emissions.