Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On May 15, a meeting of the joint dissertation council was held, created on the basis of the BSTU named after V.G. Shukhov and the State University of Management in the scientific specialty 2.9.9. “Logistics transport systems”. The main issues on the agenda were dissertation research for the academic degrees of Doctor of Science and Candidate of Science.
The meeting, chaired by the rector of the V.G. Shukhov BSTU Sergey Glagolev, was held with a full quorum: out of 13 council members, 10 were present in the hall, three joined remotely.
Colleagues from the Yelets State University named after Bunin were invited as guests: Director of the Institute of Agrobiotechnology and Technical Systems Sergei Shubkin, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Mechatronic and Radioelectronic Systems Sergei Dobrin and Senior Lecturer of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Mechatronic and Radioelectronic Systems Vladimir Volkov.
Three candidates presented their dissertations for preliminary hearing. Roman Khalturin was the first to present his research on the topic of “Methodology of resource allocation in passenger transport systems based on the theory of decision-making under uncertainty”. Dmitry Nikitin’s dissertation topic was “Method of optimization of the management structure of multi-level logistics transport ecosystems”. Nikolay Solovyov devoted his dissertation to the method of ensuring the unity of efficiency measures for various types of transport in logistics transport systems. Following the presentations, the council members asked questions and expressed comments and suggestions that should be taken into account in the further development of the dissertations.
Another issue on the agenda was the consideration and approval of the regulations for the work of the joint dissertation council, which was presented by the director of the Transport and Technology Institute Ivan Novikov. The preparation of the document was initiated at the first meeting of the council, which was held at the State University of Management in Moscow. Rector Sergey Glagolev emphasized that this is the first joint dissertation council in Russia in the field of logistics transport systems, created on the basis of two educational organizations.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 05/16/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Press release
Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to China: Peter Wilson
Mr Peter Wilson CMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to China
Mr Peter Wilson CMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China in succession to Dame Caroline Wilson DCMG, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Wilson will take up his appointment during August 2025.
Curriculum Vitae
Full name: Peter Michael Alexander Wilson
Year
Role
March 2023 to 2024
FCDO, Director-General for Europe
Dec 2022 to March 2023
Cabinet Office, Director General, National Security Secretariat, responsible for the UK/France Summit
March to Sept 2022
No 10 Downing Street, Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
2021 to 2022
Brasilia, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2017 to 2021
The Hague, Her Majesty’s Ambassador and UK Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
2013 to 2017
New York, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative, UK Mission to the UN
2010 to 2013
FCO, Director, Asia Pacific
2007 to 2010
Beijing, Political Counsellor
2005 to 2006
Islamabad, Political Counsellor
2003 to 2004
FCO, Head of Policy, Directorate of Strategy and Innovation
1999 to 2002
Brussels, Head, European Parliament Team, UK Permanent Representation to the EU
1995 to 1998
Beijing, Second Secretary, Trade
1993 to 1995
Language Training (Mandarin)
1992 to 1993
FCO, Member of the Maastricht Treaty Bill Team
1992
Joined FCO
1990 to 1992
Harvard Kennedy School, Masters in Public Administration
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
The Center for the Implementation of Social and Humanitarian Projects of the State University of Management invites students to a unique educational program aimed at developing students’ professional and personal competencies.
Students of all courses in the social and humanitarian fields are invited to participate.
Invited experts will reveal key aspects of effective communication, teach how to work with digital technologies, talk about the value and ideological foundations of our country, and help determine professional guidelines. Participants will receive relevant knowledge and skills that modern specialists need to build a successful career.
The program includes lectures and master classes on the topics:
formation of a professional image and preparation of a competitive resume; development of effective communication skills; civilizational foundations of our country’s existence; digital technologies in the activities of social scientists and humanists.
The students who show the best results during their studies will be able to undergo an internship with the prospect of employment in key organizations in the socio-political sphere, publish their materials in leading federal media, receive practical recommendations on employment, and also find a team of like-minded people for their own projects.
The event will take place on May 20, 27, 29 in auditorium 211 “Dynamix” (Boiling Point, Information Technology Center of the State University of Management) and on May 22 in the Scientific Library of the State University of Management, reading room No. 3.
To register, you must fill out the form.
Let us recall that Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova took part in the grand opening of the Center for the Implementation of Social and Humanitarian Projects of the State University of Management.
Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 05/20/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Participants in the discussion of student works (from left to right): Nadezhda Akulova, Svetlana Volkova, Vladimir Tsoi, Olga Dmitrieva, Marina Shcherbakova and Kristina Borisevich
On May 12, a preliminary discussion of bachelor’s final qualification works, which students of our university are completing on topics proposed by the Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage of the Government of the Leningrad Region, took place in the architectural workshops of SPbGASU. Vladimir Tsoi, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Leningrad Region – Chairman of the Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, and the committee staff took part in the discussion: Svetlana Volkova, Head of the Department for the Implementation of the Powers of the Russian Federation in the Sphere of Cultural Heritage Sites, Olga Dmitrieva, Chief Specialist of the Department for the Implementation of the Powers of the Leningrad Region in the Sphere of Cultural Heritage Sites, Marina Shcherbakova, Consultant of the Department for the Implementation of the Powers of the Leningrad Region, and Kristina Borisevich, Chief Engineer of the Department, took part in the discussion.
The meeting took place within the framework of the SPbGASU development project in the field of restoration “Scientific and Educational Laboratory for Restoration and Renovation of Architectural Heritage” (NOL RAS) and work with final qualifying works at the Department of Architectural and Urban Heritage.
New life for the Svirskaya Pobeda memorial park in Lodeynoye Pole
Student Sofia Mironova is working on the project “Regeneration of the territory of the memorial park “Svirskaya Pobeda” in the city of Lodeynoye Pole” under the supervision of associate professors of the Department of Architectural and Urban Heritage Nadezhda Akulova and Nina Petukhova.
The student told about the history of the park. On June 21, 1944, a unique operation took place in its place, which went down in history as the feat of the “false landing” during the crossing of the Svir River: 16 soldiers, risking their lives, went to the opposite bank of the Svir to attract the attention of the enemy and reveal his firing positions. Marshal Meretskov, who commanded the Karelian Front, ordered the creation of a memorial here. The park was laid out during the war by the efforts of servicemen and city residents. These events were reflected in the concept of the project.
Today, the memorial park area has fallen into disrepair. A survey of city residents showed that they would like to see it revived while preserving the “memory of the place.”
“The concept provides for the creation of a memorial to 16 heroes, the improvement of the Alley of Memory, the trees of which were planted by war participants, the restoration of the Lodeynoye Pole Museum of History and Local History, and the creation of viewing platforms on the river bank, one of which will also be a memorial. The park is planned to be divided into zones: an active zone with an exhibition of military equipment, a memory zone with a sculptural group dedicated to the heroes, and a recreational zone. The Svirskaya Pobeda Memorial Park is a memory that we must pass on to future generations,” said Sofia Mironova.
“On the SAILS of the past to the space of the future”
Alexey Volkov shared details of his project “Restoration and adaptation of the Narva flax-jute manufactory complex with renovation of the Parusinka territory in Ivangorod” (headed by Nadezhda Akulova). The goal of the aspiring architect-restorer is to preserve the historical and cultural features of the environment by creating a comfortable high-tech space integrated into the historical area.
“The area is located 150 kilometers from St. Petersburg on the state border with Estonia, which runs along the Narva River. The factory village owes its origin and development to the Stieglitz family, who founded the Cloth and Flax Spinning Manufactories. The factory buildings have survived to this day with major losses, dissonant volumes, and structures in a state of emergency. Existing development projects for the area do not solve the main problems – a significant improvement in the quality of life of city residents, the development of tourism and, most importantly, the preservation of unique cultural heritage sites,” shared the student, who called his concept “On the SAILS of the Past to the Space of the Future.”
The project envisages the restoration of the compositional and planning structure of the factory-residential district, where the main center of attraction is the historical factory complex, around which the everyday, cultural and business environment is concentrated, meeting the modern needs and demands of the city. Alexey is confident: the renovation of the territory with the development of a scientific, educational and cultural environment on it can become an example for other large integrated development projects.
Boarding house for the elderly in an old manor
Darya Kondratyuk presented the project “Albrecht Estate in the Village of Kotly, Kingissepsky District”, on which she is working under the supervision of Nadezhda Akulova. The ensemble “Albrecht Estate” is a cultural heritage site of federal significance. According to the student, the village of Kotly, despite the ruined state of the ensemble, is attractive to tourists. Thanks to volunteer initiatives, the festival “Kotelskie Marketplaces” is held there, which attracts attention to this site.
Some of the design solutions are aimed at improving the estate park, which can be included in a single route with ecotourism sites developing in the vicinity of the estate.
The project envisages the adaptation of the Albrecht Estate ensemble into a boarding house for the elderly. At the same time, it is necessary to preserve the historical heritage and create a comfortable environment for the older generation. The comprehensive approach includes the restoration of buildings, landscaping and infrastructure development, which will increase the attractiveness of the area for tourists and local residents.
Daria believes that the restoration and adaptation project she developed for modern use will help preserve the estate’s heritage for future generations.
Student work received high marks
Vladimir Tsoi highly praised the student projects: “The work of SPbGASU students is valuable from different points of view. Firstly, sometimes it is the first “approach to the projectile”, which is needed to understand the development prospects of a particular territory, subject complex or monument. When I was in charge of the Vyborg United Museum-Reserve, in partnership with SPbGASU we organized an exhibition of diploma theses dedicated to Vyborg and its environs. This was a revelation for the townspeople and guests. It was very relevant, interesting, and inspired fresh thoughts. Subsequently, some of the ideas were embodied in restoration projects, while others have not lost their relevance and are waiting to be implemented.
The second reason for the value of student work is its subject matter. The project of the memorial park “Svirskaya Pobeda” in Lodeynoye Pole is, in my opinion, a completely finished product offering specific spatial architectural solutions for a specific object. Not conceptual, but subject. Therefore, cooperation with SPbGASU is very important for us.
The Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage of the Government of the Leningrad Region was created in 2020 and immediately began to cooperate with SPbGASU in various areas. We have signed a framework agreement, we plan to develop and deepen it.”
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
The full Federal Court has dismissed Ben Roberts-Smith’s appeal to have his defamation case loss overturned.
It is important in seeking to understand this judgement to know the history of the case.
In June 2023, Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko handed down a 726-page judgement in the defamation case that Roberts-Smith, the most highly decorated serving member of the Australian Defence Force, had brought against Nine Entertainment news outlets.
Reporters for the Sydney Morning Herald, the Canberra Times and The Age had alleged, in 2018, that Roberts-Smith, a patrol commander with the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, was a war criminal. They maintained he had murdered unarmed Afghan prisoners and civilians, and bullied fellow soldiers.
These press reports were particularly galling to a man who had been awarded the Medal of Gallantry, the Victoria Cross, and a Commendation for Distinguished Service.
He sued Nine Entertainment (then referred to as Fairfax Publications) and their investigative journalists.
Submissions in the trial ended in July 2022 after 110 days of evidence. In the result, Justice Besanko determined that Nine Entertainment had not defamed Roberts-Smith. The judge found the reporting was capable of being deemed defamatory, but that most of the imputations were substantially true. That being the case, he upheld the defence of truth and contextual truth not only in relation to the allegations of murder, but also with respect to imputations regarding Roberts-Smith’s character.
Roberts-Smith appealed to the full Federal Court. The appeal hearing ran for ten days in February 2024. Today, 15 months later, the appeal court consisting of Justices Nye Perram, Anna Katzmann and Geoffrey Kennett has dismissed his appeal.
Because the case had national security implications, there is in place for a short period, a non-publication order over what is referred to as the “open court” reasons for judgement. The judges ordered that their reasons will not be available
“until either the Commonwealth notifies the court and the parties that it has no objection to publication […] or 4pm on May 20, 2025, whichever is earlier”.
In recent times it has become the practice of the Federal Court, in cases of public interest, to provide a summary to accompany the orders, available immediately. The summary provided to the public is not a complete statement of the conclusions reached. The only authoritative statement of the court’s reasons is that contained in the judgement that will be made available in due course.
There are, however, a couple of matters that bear noting now.
The first is that the appeal judges were unanimous in their support for the conclusions of the trial judge. In 2023, Justice Besanko made numerous adverse findings about the credibility of the evidence of Roberts-Smith, and the evidence of the witnesses whom he called on his behalf. Roberts-Smith sought to challenge all of those adverse findings and to point out errors in the trial judge’s findings. But it was to no avail.
Having carefully considered all these matters, we are unanimously of the opinion that the evidence was sufficiently cogent to support the findings that the appellant murdered four Afghan men and to the extent that we have discerned error in the reasons of the primary judge, the errors were inconsequential. Accordingly, the appeal must be dismissed with costs.
There is another, secondary matter arising from a side issue to the appeal, which bears mentioning here. When the draft judgement of the appeal court was close to completion, Roberts-Smith’s lawyers filed an application to lodge an amended notice of appeal. It referred to an audio recording that was sent anonymously to them in March this year. The recording purported to be a portion of a telephone conversation between investigative journalist Nick McKenzie and a witness whose identity is the subject of suppression orders.
In this call, McKenzie was alleged to have admitted to using Roberts-Smith’s ex-wife as a source regarding her former husband’s legal strategy. Roberts-Smith’s lawyers said had they known of McKenzie’s alleged journalistic misconduct, they would have structured their arguments differently during the defamation trial.
On the Federal Court website today, two judgements have been released in relation to the so-called McKenzie tape. The first gave the Roberts-Smith team a glimmer of hope. The appeal court judges determined that the application for them to hear the recording was, in fact, appropriate, and that the content was therefore admissible evidence in consideration of a new claim of miscarriage of justice.
However, the second judgement extinguished any hope of this occurring. The appeal court judges concluded there was, in fact, no miscarriage of justice in not allowing the recording to be considered by a court.
It’s been seven years since the allegations regarding Ben Roberts-Smith’s involvement in war crimes first surfaced. Roberts-Smith has indicated his intention to appeal to the High Court. This case may yet still have a way to run.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) — Tianjin Foreign Studies University (TFU) and the Volgograd State Conservatory named after P.A. Serebryakov recently signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation, which marked the beginning of in-depth cooperation between the parties in the field of music education. The signing of this document took place in the city of Tianjin in northern China.
The agreement was signed at the opening ceremony of the relevant course as part of the event on the visit to China of the Russian delegation of teachers “Chinese Language Bridge”, organized by the Center for International Language Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China with the assistance of TUIL, the Zhongxinshe news agency reports.
TUIA Rector Li Yingying noted the solid foundation of cooperation between TUIA and Russian universities, stating that the current cooperation will open up new opportunities for the parties in the field of music education.
Representatives of the Volgograd State Conservatory named after P. A. Serebryakov, in turn, expressed hope for broader cooperation with TUIYA in academic, research and cultural activities in the future. -0-
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
InterGames is a mass sports festival that has been held for several years now as part of the famous Interweeks NSU.
The stadium traditionally gathered entire generations of active recreation enthusiasts — more than 1,700 people of all ages: students of NSU and other Novosibirsk universities, students of the SUNC and VKI, children and adults of Akademgorodok. Twenty-five sites with various interesting sports competitions and national competitions awaited them. The NSU swimming pool hosted open swimming competitions “InterPlavaniye 2025”. And fans of team sports took part in mini-football matches (18 teams) and 3×3 basketball (28 teams).
At the opening of the event, more than 100 female students performed brilliantly with an incendiary composition on the steps, athletes of various types of martial arts and the national team of sports aerobics demonstrated their skills.
All the contests and competitions were bright and memorable, the most popular was “Volleyball” with a huge inflatable ball, in which 570 people tried their hand. Also of great interest were the contests: “Caterpillar”, “Pants for three”, “Darts”, “Artist” and, of course, “Hobbyhorsing” – 400-500 people participated in each of them.
The most active participants were rewarded with memorable gifts; in the end, more than 200 people who took part in at least 15 different competitions received prizes.
The Department of Physical Education thanks all the participants, organizers, teachers and student volunteers who helped to hold such a grand celebration.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
This week, more reports emerged of horrific abuse of children at childcare centres.
An ABC investigation reported young children had suffered burns and been verbally abused. In another case, a baby was repeatedly slapped by an early childhood educator.
This follows claims of sexual abuse and neglect earlier this year.
On Tuesday, we also saw the appointment of Victorian senator Jess Walsh as the new minister for early childhood education. As a former head of the union responsible for the sector, Walsh comes to the role with a thorough understanding of early education issues. She will also sit in cabinet.
What does Walsh and the re-elected Albanese government need to do to better ensure children’s safety in early childhood education and care? Here are three ideas.
“Safety by design” is a concept used in other sectors (such as online safety) and has its origins in crime prevention. It means planning spaces and systems to prevent harm before it happens. This could include changing the environment, routines or rules.
For example, clear lines of sight in a room help educators watch children, and each other, more easily. Secure entrances ensure only authorised people can come into a centre.
But safety isn’t just about buildings; it also depends on people. Educators need the right training to spot risks and signs of harm, and to act early.
This means building their capability: not just knowing what to do, but feeling confident to speak up and raise concerns. This confidence needs to be encouraged by managers and leaders in centres – staff should be supported to speak openly.
2. Conduct a thorough investigation
Australia has a system to monitor quality standards in early childhood services via the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority or ACECQA. This body oversees a National Quality Framework.
On Friday, National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds said Australia needs to “urgently strengthen” regulatory frameworks.
The recent reports of abuse and noncompliance certainly raise a series
of questions: how could this happen? How could “trained professionals” think this treatment of children is OK?
Multiple systemic failures could be the answer – meaning the mechanisms or processes in place to stop situations going from unacceptable to unfathomable, failed.
A federally convened taskforce could investigate these breaches of child safety to identify risks and failures and prevent further cases of harm. Rather than yet another long inquiry, a taskforce could help get to the root of the problems and recommend solutions that can be implemented quickly.
Governments can also invest in the ongoing professionalisation of early childhood educators. They can do this by insisting on higher qualifications, pay, professional development and a strong ethical framework.
In turn, this can enhance the ability of those in the sector to prevent and respond to abusive practices.
Admittedly, the federal government has taken steps to increase requirements around qualifications and pay. But early childhood professionals continue to endure low status in the community.
None of these perceptions help the sector or the service it provides. The whole community needs to understand the vital role it plays in our society – just like schools or hospitals.
It is understandable parents might find recent headlines about abuse and neglect in early childhood centres distressing. Keep in mind, 91% of early childhood services have been assessed as at least meeting national quality standards.
If you have any concerns about your service, you can contact the regulatory authority in your state or territory.
Victoria Minson is the Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) (Accelerated) at Australian Catholic University. The Victorian offering of the course has received funding from the Victorian government and Victorian Department of Education. Victoria also receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Daryl Higgins receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and Australian Government and state/territory government departments.
The expo will provide senior secondary school students, parents and teachers with up-to-date information on various study and career pathways.
Around 30 institutions and organisations will have booths at the event.
These will provide information on locally accredited post-secondary programmes, Diploma of Applied Education programmes, Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes, Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes, the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education, and the Qualifications Framework.
Hok Yau Club, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association will offer study and career guidance services to students.
There will also be talks on pathways for school-leavers and strategies for transitioning to post-secondary education. Post-secondary students will share their experiences.
The bureau’s own booth will feature interactive games for expo visitors to participate in.
The expo will run from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free and prior registration is not required.
Headline: Public Defence Service changes finalised
5:00pm – 15 May 2025
The Public Defence Service (PDS) is releasing the final outcome of its change process following consultation with staff.
The proposal was announced on 3 March 2025, and staff had the opportunity to provide feedback until 1 May.
“We had a significant amount of feedback from across the PDS,” says Peter Hutchinson, Director, Public Defence Service.
Submissions were received from 94 individuals and 10 groups.
“We carefully considered this feedback and have made a number of changes to what was originally proposed as a result.”
“For example, noting the feedback regarding concerns over on-site support, legal secretary positions in local PDS offices will remain. In addition, while we will still establish two centralised legal secretary hubs, they will have a reduced number of legal support positions overall initially, and we will take a slower, more phased approach to establishing the hubs.”
Mr Hutchinson says they have also listened to feedback on proposed changes to the PDS Appeals Team and had made adjustments as a result.
“This change to the original proposal means the PDS will be at a similar senior court resourcing level as it was in 2022 and this will mean the reduction in senior court cases will be less than under the original proposal.”
Mr Hutchinson says proposed changes to the Duty Lawyer Service are being confirmed, including the loss of some management positions.
“While feedback from staff is acknowledged, we also note the extensive expertise of the PDS Duty Lawyer Supervisors that will remain with the PDS.”
The organisational realignment will result in a total of 23 PDS positions being disestablished, and 8.5 new positions being established. A number of internal reassignments are being offered, along with at least a further 12 lawyer positions in the future, funded from internal savings.
“I appreciate that this has been a stressful time for staff, and we appreciate their considered and comprehensive feedback.
“I believe these changes will enable the PDS to achieve its objective of enabling internal efficiencies and savings by increasing its cases each year, while continuing to deliver high quality legal services,” Mr Hutchison says.
About the PDS
The PDS is an independent criminal law practice providing advice and representation to defendants who have legal aid in criminal cases.
The PDS also oversees duty lawyer services in the courts where it operates.
The PDS is the largest criminal law practice in New Zealand, with over 150 criminal defence lawyers in 10 offices across New Zealand.
Every year, Australia buries millions of tonnes of waste in landfills. But these sites are filling fast, recycling has its own limitations, and most waste export is banned. So councils and state governments are looking for alternatives.
Several large-scale incinerators have been proposed, to turn municipal solid waste into electricity. One is already up and running in Perth’s outer suburbs.
As chemical engineers, we recognise the potential benefits of this technology. Modern facilities operating around the world show these processes can be efficient, safe and environmentally controlled. However, minimal risk does not mean zero risk. Understanding both the benefits and challenges is crucial to address community concerns.
What is waste-to-energy?
Waste-to-energy, also known as energy-from-waste, can transform waste otherwise destined for landfill into electricity, heat or fuel.
This does not replace recycling. Instead, it offers a solution for materials that are difficult or impossible to recycle. Care must be taken, however, to ensure waste-to-energy technologies complement rather than supplant recycling efforts.
How does it work?
There are three main types of waste-to-energy technologies:
Thermal: use heat to generate steam, which spins turbines to create electricity. The heat can come from burning waste, producing carbon dioxide, water and ash. Alternatively, solid waste can be turned into gas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide). This process is known as gasification.
Biological: use microorganisms to break down organic matter in the waste stream, producing biogas, mainly methane. This is then used for power or heat generation.
Chemical: use processes such as pyrolysis or hydrothermal liquefaction to convert hard-to-recycle materials into fuels or chemicals. These can feed into industrial and manufacturing processes.
What’s holding Australia back?
When most Australians hear about making energy from waste, they think of
old-fashioned incinerators. Those outdated facilities released smoke and toxins into the air.
But modern incinerators use advanced air pollution control systems that capture harmful emissions.
This can cut emissions of fine particles by up to 99%.
The volume of waste sent to landfill is also reduced by up to 90%. What remains includes incinerator bottom ash and fly ash. Often these can be reused in making concrete, pavement and other construction materials. But regulatory issues will need to be overcome before this can happen in Australia.
Introducing the Parkes project
The Parkes Energy Recovery project, announced in March, promises to process around 600,000 tonnes of waste a year. This should generate at least 60 megawatts of electricity – enough to power 80,000 homes.
To receive development approval, the project must comply with stringent environmental and health standards. This includes preparing an Environmental Impact Statement and Human Health Risk Assessment. The NSW Environment Protection Authority may then issue an Environment Protection Licence. Such a licence requires ongoing monitoring and frequent audits.
Extensive community consultation is underway.
Other projects around Australia
There are two waste-to-energy plants in Western Australia, one at Kwinana and another under construction at East Rockingham. A third plant has been given the go-ahead in Victoria, at Maryvale.
Kwinana received its first delivery of waste in July 2024.
Licences to build other major waste-to-energy facilities have been issued in Victoria. Various proposals are also being considered in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
Australia’s first standalone, large-scale waste-to-energy plant in WA | ABC News.
Taking tips from overseas
A shortage of landfill sites in cities across Europe and Asia originally promoted investment in waste-to-energy technology. These power plants are now commonplace in Germany, the Netherlands and Japan, substantially reducing reliance on landfill.
In China, the proposed Shenzhen East Waste-to-Energy Plant could process 5,000 tonnes of waste a day. That works out to 1.8 million tonnes of waste a year, if run continuously.
One of the world’s largest waste-to-energy plants is in Shenzhen, China (Dezeen)
Waste-to-energy and the circular economy
Waste-to-energy technology is useful in the transition to a circular economy. This is an economy where resources are continually cycled through the system and never wasted.
Reusing, recycling and reducing waste must remain top priorities. Waste-to-energy technology should then be used as a last resort, extracting value from hard- or impossible-to-recycle materials.
It’s certainly better than sending waste to landfill. When buried underground, waste can leach toxins into soil, ground and surface water. The potent greenhouse gas methane is also released when food rots in landfill.
Over-reliance on waste-to-energy could supplant more sustainable circular recycling efforts. But incineration plants are being scaled back in Europe, as the focus shifts to reuse.
Copenhagen’s power plant is also a ski slope (The Impossible Build)
The case for waste-to-energy
Despite its potential, waste-to-energy technology remains controversial in Australia. Some local communities remain concerned about emissions and potential long-term health risks. Environmental groups also question the potential effects on recycling rates.
Nevertheless, growing awareness of the limitations of recycling, increasing landfill levies, bans on waste exports, and ambitious federal and state circular economy strategies are making waste-to-energy a more pragmatic option. Stringent regulation and community consultation will be necessary to get these projects off the ground.
Responsible use of modern waste-to-energy technology can generate electricity and heat for homes with minimal emissions, and can extend benefits that serve local communities. It can also complement Australia’s renewable energy targets while taking a better approach to managing waste.
Professor Ali Abbas is Associate Dean (Research) at the University of Sydney Faculty of Engineering. He is Australia’s Chief Circular Engineer (Circular Australia), and Founder and Executive Director Innovation at Scimita Group, a Deep Tech Innovation House working in sustainable technologies. He has previously advised government and industry on energy-from-waste and circular economy topics.
Dominic Bui Viet is a Research Fellow at The University of Sydney in the Faculty of Engineering. He has previously received funding from a Cooperative Research Centre projects grant to conduct research into pyrolysis technologies for waste management.
Eric Sanjaya is a Research Fellow at The University of Sydney, Faculty of Engineering. He has previously advised government and industry on energy-from-waste and circular economy topics
Paladin founder and CEO, Harrison Box, with Triton
University of South Australia based startup Paladin Space has demonstrated the world’s first space payload capable of capturing debris from multiple targets and storing it on satellites for recycling, reducing the cost of space debris removal and making the process more sustainable.
The next steps will be to demonstrate the technology in orbit, secure pilot customers and perform qualification testing for a space mission. The company is also expecting to share news of an overseas expansion in coming months.
South Australian Treasurer and Minister for Defence and Space Industries Stephen Mullighan says the potential of this innovative product demonstrates the impact South Australian based space startups are having in leading advances in space technology.
“Space start-ups play a critical role in accelerating the growth of the South Australian space industry and strengthening our economic resilience and relevance,” Minister Mullighan said.
“Paladin Space’s innovative technology, which has been developed right here in South Australia, is a perfect example of what’s possible when you foster an environment that nurtures bold ideas. It’s an example of homegrown ingenuity where South Australia is developing innovative ideas aimed at solving global challenges.”
Space debris is a growing issue that poses significant threats to satellites and space missions. The large volume of debris, combined with its high velocity, creates a collision risk with potential to damage satellites and space infrastructure.
A report by Northern Sky Research found that the ‘In-Orbit Servicing Market’ is expected to reach $4.7b by 2031, and roughly half of that market is debris removal and salvaging.
Founder of Paladin Space, Harrison Box says their product will be able to capture multiple pieces of debris in a single mission.
“Triton will make the process of debris removal more sustainable and cost effective while also being able to eject its contents on space targets, preserving the spacecraft in orbit to be reused for other missions,” he says.
Their solution means Triton will eject its contents from the parent satellite at a very specific time so that it’s trajectory will not interfere with anyone else’s satellites. Shortly after ejection, Triton will descend into the Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to burn up completely within a matter of hours.
The team are designing Triton to be compatible with future in-orbit recycling solutions so its contents can be delivered in-orbit as materials for manufacturing.
“We are designing Triton to be able to dock easily with these in-orbit manufacturing stations so that the contents it collects can be recycled into metal rods or sheets for manufacturing satellites,” Mr Box says.
“Not only is this practice sustainable, but incredibly cost effective for satellite manufacturers to ‘skip’ the launch phase of a mission and simply build their assets in space.”
The Triton container is designed to capture many small pieces of debris such as fragments from collisions, however, the product is scalable depending on the mission. If a customer wants a larger volume, they could achieve 600mm (0.6m) cubed, or smaller missions may only require 300mm (0.3m) cubed.
Paladin Space participated in UniSA’s space accelerator program Venture Catalyst Space in 2023, supported by the South Australian Space Industry Centre.
Deputy Director: Business Incubation at the University of South Australia Craig Jones says the novel technology has the potential to make a huge impact on the space debris market.
“Triton is on course to revolutionise the space debris industry and contribute to manufacturing in space, a mind-blowing proposition. We look forward to seeing it in action one day soon,” Jones says.
“From placing second at an ICC global space hackathon, to participating in the Venture Catalyst Space program in 2023, we are incredibly proud to have played a small part in supporting this team to build their enterprise,” he says.
Box says UniSA’s support and infrastructure continue to be instrumental to the success of his business.
L-R, Harrison Box, Stephen Mulligan MP, Peter Stevens and Craig Jones
“The advice I received in the early days helped to shape everything from our pitch deck to the financial accounting for our business, including areas like employability, beach-head markets, problem validation and general customer acquisition practices.
“Having an office space to prototype and run our business from was also a game-changer that allowed Paladin Space to be put on the map, and I am still honoured to be a resident at the Innovation & Collaboration Centre – despite the team growing larger.”
Box says he plans to keep his company headquarters in South Australia as they grow for as long as the government continues to support the space industry.
Venture Catalyst Space, has supported 40 startups that have collectively raised almost $43 million in additional investment and grants, while creating almost 240 space jobs.
About Harrison Box:
Box has a Masters in Aerospace Engineering with first-class honours from the University of Glasgow.
He spent a year of his study at the University of California where he led a team to design and build a liquid rocket engine test stand in the Mojave desert.
During his time at university he worked as a Powertrain Engineer at Nissan and a Avionics Engineer for a flight hardware company before becoming a Systems Engineer for BAE Systems. He spent two years working for multiple fast-jets in various countries, then was a Concept Engineer doing a variety of R&D work on military fast-jets for the remaining year before moving to Australia and becoming a Senior Systems Engineer for a novel radar project.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
An aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2025 shows the naming ceremony of the car carrier Anji Ansheng at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal in east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]
SHANGHAI, May 15 — Anji Ansheng, China’s domestically built ocean-going car carrier and the world’s largest such carrier in terms of capacity, set sail on its maiden voyage to Europe on Thursday evening, carrying approximately 7,000 China-made vehicles.
The departure from Shanghai marks a milestone achievement, surpassing a record set just weeks earlier by BYD Shenzhen, which is a domestically built car carrier from the major Chinese automaker BYD. That vessel had previously held the title of the world’s largest car carrier in operation.
“The fact that this record has been broken again in less than a month reflects the rapid rise of China’s mid-to-high-end manufacturing sector, and the resilience and vitality of the country’s foreign trade despite complex global conditions,” said Gao Yuning, deputy director of the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University.
Anji Ansheng measures 228 meters in length and 37.8 meters in width, with a maximum capacity of carrying 9,500 standard vehicles, said Zhuang Jingxiong, general manager of SAIC Anji Logistics Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited.
The vessel integrates advanced energy-saving technologies and intelligent low-carbon systems, achieving world-class energy efficiency. It is also incorporated with a methanol-refueling design, laying the foundation for achieving carbon neutrality in the future.
“China’s large-scale construction and delivery of vehicle carriers are propelling the country’s ocean-going auto transport capacity to new heights,” said Zheng Hehui, deputy general manager of China Merchants Industry Holdings, a subsidiary of the China Merchants Group.
According to SAIC, the company had delivered over 5.5 million vehicles to international markets by the end of 2024, placing it among China’s top car exporters. SAIC’s annual overseas sales have surpassed 1 million units for three consecutive years.
China’s automobile exports exceeded 6.4 million units in 2024, maintaining the top global position for a second consecutive year, according to the General Administration of Customs of China.
Data from January to April 2025 shows that the country exported more than 1.93 million vehicles during the period, a year-on-year increase of 6 percent.
Take the Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal — from where Anji Ansheng set sail — as an example. Despite global trade uncertainties in the first four months this year, the port exported 740,000 vehicles during the period, a year-on-year increase of 25.1 percent.
“This momentum reflects not only the rising competitiveness of Chinese brands but also the strong capabilities of China’s auto industry,” Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association, said.
China’s growing competitiveness was also evident at the recent 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, which attracted more than 12,000 overseas dealers.
“China is doing a great job in terms of technology, and the cars are very reliable. People have confidence in Chinese cars. I think they see Chinese cars as offering a good balance between price and quality,” said Agustin Garcia, CEO of Spain’s Sarmovil Auto Group.
SAIC’s Anji Logistics now operates one of the world’s leading vehicle shipping fleets. By 2026, its ocean-going fleet will grow to 22 vessels, with routes covering Western Europe, Mexico, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and other key export destinations for Chinese automakers.
“For automakers, owning a fleet ensures stable export operations, reduces transportation costs, and guarantees timely delivery of products to overseas customers,” said Xie Xiaowen, an expert from the China Communications and Transportation Association.
MG cars produced by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) are parked next to the car carrier Anji Ansheng to be shipped in east China’s Shanghai on May 15, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2025 shows the car carrier Anji Ansheng at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal in east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]Cars are driven onto the car carrier Anji Ansheng at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal in east China’s Shanghai, May 15, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2025 shows the car carrier Anji Ansheng at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal in east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]This photo taken on May 15, 2025 shows the ceremony of the maiden voyage of the car carrier Anji Ansheng at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal in east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]A panoramic aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2025 shows the car carrier Anji Ansheng at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal in east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Guests attend the opening ceremony of the 2025 China Smart Industry Trade Exhibition (2025 CSITE) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 15, 2025. The 2025 CSITE, together with Chinese technology expositions, is adding momentum to Malaysia’s development aspirations, especially in the adoption of new technologies and digitalization, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said here on Thursday. [Photo/Xinhua]
The 2025 China Smart Industry Trade Exhibition (2025 CSITE), together with Chinese technology expositions, is adding momentum to Malaysia’s development aspirations, especially in the adoption of new technologies and digitalization, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said here on Thursday.
Coming at a time when Malaysia, as 2025 chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping, is advocating for greater cooperation and regional integration, the exhibition reinforces efforts to improve connectivity in trade, tourism, education, and cultural diplomacy, Teo said in her remarks at the exhibition’s launch.
“I am heartened to see the participation of nearly 100 companies from China, Malaysia, and around the region. Your presence here speaks volumes about the potential for partnerships that can help shape a smarter, safer, and more connected ASEAN,” she said.
“China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years… What these enormous figures tell us is that there is strong trust, shared aspirations, and a readiness to innovate together. In addition to growing trade and investment links, people-to-people ties between our nations continue to deepen,” she added.
This year marks the 5th edition of the expo with the theme of “Smart Technology, Digitalization, and Education.” The event also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the China Entrepreneurs Association in Malaysia (PUCM).
Teo noted PUCM’s key role in building mutual understanding, business collaboration, and cultural exchange between Malaysia and China. “Your dedication has helped develop strong and lasting partnerships across a range of sectors, from technology and telecommunications to culture and education,” she said.
Meanwhile, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia Zheng Xuefang said the cooperation potential and prospects between China and Malaysia in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) are immense and promising.
“China is now a global AI powerhouse with advanced technology, strong government backing and a huge market, while Malaysia is an emerging player aimed to achieve economic growth and regional competitiveness via AI development. There is great potential in cooperation for both countries,” he said.
For his part, PUCM president Keith Li said that the 2025 CSITE has emerged as a major platform, serving as a vital bridge, linking Chinese innovation with Malaysian opportunities and continuing its mission to strengthen partnerships between Chinese and Malaysian entrepreneurs.
“Beyond business, we have cultivated strong people-to-people connections through exhibitions, cultural videos, forums, and outreach efforts. PUCM remains proud to be a trusted platform that advances both commercial ties and community engagement,” he said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
In a smart factory of China’s home appliance giant Midea Group, more than 10 robots are busy screwing and welding. But here’s the twist: these robots are not simply assembling the company’s iconic air conditioners or fridges; instead, they are building other industrial robots.
This “robots producing robots” production line in Foshan, Guangdong Province, operates fully automated and around the clock, rolling out one robot every 30 minutes on average.
The factory sits amid a thriving robot industry ecosystem, where suppliers of core components are just a 10-minute drive away. Benefiting from the efficient supply chain, the Midea factory has delivered more than 80,000 industrial robots since it was set up in 2020.
Midea started its foray into the robotics in 2015, with hopes of harnessing the technology to make its home appliances smarter while gaining a strategic foothold in the futuristic industry of smart robots.
In March this year, the group unveiled a humanoid robot prototype capable of performing a variety of movements, including shaking hands, dancing, tightening screws, as well as understanding voice commands and doing operations as instructed.
“We expect that the humanoid robot can be applied and commercialized in specific scenarios such as industry and manufacturing,” said Wei Chang, vice president and chief technology officer of Midea.
COMPREHENSIVE CHAIN
Midea epitomizes Guangdong’s robot boom. The manufacturing heartland in south China is home to more than 160,000 robotics enterprises, constituting the country’s largest industrial cluster for intelligent robots.
According to the provincial government, Guangdong’s industrial robot output exceeded 240,000 units or sets in 2024, marking a year-on-year growth of 31.2 percent. One out of every three industrial robots in China is now made in Guangdong.
With Shenzhen as its tech hub, Guangdong boasts advantages in mechatronics and digital intelligence technologies, said Lin Yi, deputy head of the industry and information technology bureau of Shenzhen.
Excellent mechatronics enable rapid assembly of a robot’s body and limbs, while digital intelligence technologies empower a robot with a smart brain. The two strengths help foster a comprehensive industry chain in the province, extending from the production of chips and core components to downstream applications.
A sophisticated and well-rounded industrial chain is credited with lowering costs for both development and manufacturing of new products. This infrastructure has supported the rapid emergence of many industries in China, ranging from drones to new energy, in recent years.
Although humanoid robots first emerged abroad, the most likely place for their industrialization and commercialization is China, said Zhang Jin, president of SIASUN Robot & Automation Co., Ltd.
“In China, there are companies focusing on making robots’ brain, while others specialize in arms, feet and other components. Altogether, they form a complete and vibrant industry eco-system,” Zhang said.
TALENT, MONEY & POLICIES
By the end of 2024, China had a total of 451,700 smart robotics firms, marking a staggering 206.7-percent increase from 2020, according to official data.
Apart from industrial chain prowess, China’s vast pool of engineers has also added momentum to the industry. More than 300 colleges and universities nationwide now offer undergraduate programs in robotics engineering, which was approved as an undergraduate major by the Ministry of Education in 2016.
Supportive policies also play a crucial role. In 2023, China issued a guidance on the innovative development of humanoid robots, declaring that they were expected to become revolutionary products following computers, smartphones and new energy vehicles.
China’s government work report this year pledges to establish a mechanism to increase funding for industries of the future including embodied artificial intelligence, which refers to AI with physical bodies such as robots.
Many local governments have also come up with ambitious plans. In February, Beijing, which boasts a congregation of leading universities and technological startups, issued a detailed action plan for embodied intelligence, setting a national benchmark for the industry.
By 2027, the city is expected to employ robots in more than 100 scenarios covering areas from manufacturing to logistics, especially taking up jobs that are perilous, repetitive and laborious, it said.
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today introduced the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act, which would authorize existing federal funding to help states streamline the application process for opening new charter schools:
“Charter schools are an important part of America’s education system, but the process to start one is often bogged down by red tape,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would make the application process more efficient for teachers, school administrators, and nonprofits interested in opening a charter school and help give parents more choices for their children’s education.”
“When starting a new charter school, knowing from experience how to help a child succeed is invaluable. Teachers have that expertise,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This bill gives teachers the resources to create their own charter schools and continue to provide a better future for our children.”
“Every student deserves the opportunity to attend a school that equips them with the skills and high-quality education they need to succeed in today’s economy,” said Sen. Bennet. “Charter schools provide flexibility and innovative educational opportunities for students across Colorado, but too often, they run into burdensome red tape and regulations from the federal government. This bill would ensure that charter schools can access federal grants and reach more families in underserved communities.”
“Every child deserves access to a high-quality public education,” said Senator Booker. “But the charter school application process is often complex and discouraging. This bipartisan legislation will providing funding to help streamline the charter school application process to make it more accessible for educators and nonprofits and encourage more families to find the best public school for them.”
Congresswomen Julia Letlow (LA-05) and Jill Tokuda (HI-02) led companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Background:
The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act would:
Authorize state entities receiving Federal Charter Schools Programs (CSP) grants to make pre-planning awards in amounts of no more than $100,000 to prospective applicants, or public or nonprofit entities that will support prospective applicants, provided they:
Are led by educators with 4.5 years of school-based experience;
Have successfully completed the development of an initial plan for the opening of a public charter school;
And have not yet submitted a proposal for approval of a charter to an authorized public chartering agency.
Permit state entities to use up to 5% of their grant funds for those pre-planning awards;
Raise the cap on the percentage of state entities’ grant funds that may be used for technical assistance and quality improvement activities from 7% to 10%;
Raise the cap on the percentage that may be used for state administration from 3% to 5%;
And clarify that states’ technical assistance activities may include assistance in locating and accessing a facility.
This legislation is endorsed by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, National Associations of Charter School Authorizers, KIPP Public Schools, and Center for Learner Equity.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
In Pingxiang, a border county in south China’s Chongzuo city, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, flat-bed and container trucks carrying fruits, building materials and industrial equipment are lining up to cross the China-Vietnam border.
The county, home to around 130,000 people, has witnessed the rapidly growing trade and even closer practical cooperation between the two neighboring countries in recent years, which also gave a strong boost to local trade and economic development and brought more benefits to the people of both countries.
After China and Vietnam normalized their relationship over 30 years ago, they forged a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2008, and the two countries have been maintaining communication at all levels, and working together to step up synergy in development strategies, facilitate practical cooperation, promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges and advance regional connectivity.
With joint efforts, the two countries’ cooperation has been advancing steadily. China has remained Vietnam’s biggest trading partner and the second largest export destination, while Vietnam has continued to be China’s biggest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Bilateral cooperation in such areas as investment, infrastructure and green energy has also flourished.
Statistics of China’s customs showed that the two countries’ trade increased by 19.7 percent to 230.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, the first time in history surpassing the 200-billion mark. It is a hard-won achievement amid the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the staggering global economy.
The booming cross-border fruit trade has been one of the new highlights of bilateral trade in recent years. Thanks to fast transportation, cold chain logistics and the development of e-commerce, Vietnam’s fruit exports to China have increased rapidly year by year, and the China-Vietnam border city Chongzuo has become the largest city for import and export of border fruits trade in China.
In the third quarter this year, the foreign trade volume of Chongzuo jumped to 78.12 billion yuan (10.6 billion dollars) with a surge of nearly 50 percent year-on-year.
On Sept. 19, after years of small-scale trade around the border areas, fresh durians from Vietnam were officially exported to China for the first time, offering new opportunities to durian growers, packers and producers in the country.
Eyeing the huge potential of China’s market with over 1.4 billion consumers, Rang Dong Agricultural Product Import-Export Company in Vietnam’s southern Long An province hopes to deliver more fresh and processed fruits to China, especially after the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership came into effect on Jan. 1.
Nguyen Tat Quyen, the company’s director, said that besides the gigantic size, the Chinese market has another big advantage, namely being close to Vietnam, and convenient for road, sea and air transport.
During the 14th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in July, the two sides agreed to bolster their Belt and Road cooperation, work together to build a mechanism for ensuring and promoting the stability of industrial and supply chains, strengthen port construction and facilitate customs clearance.
As a flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation, the China-constructed Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line project in Hanoi, the first of this type in the Southeast Asian country, has transported millions of Vietnamese since its commercial operation in November last year.
The metro project has greatly facilitated the travel of residents along the route. Many residents have begun to abandon the traditional travel mode of motorcycles and choose to take the metro.
“Taking these trains, I will no longer have to worry about congestion every morning while going to work,” said Hoang Thi Huong, a 30-year-old passenger from Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan district, hoping that more urban railway projects will be constructed to ease transportation in the city.
The past years have also witnessed growing friendship and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries. An increasing number of Chinese films and TV series have gained popularity in Vietnam, while the flourishing bilateral ties have attracted more and more Vietnamese students to study and work in China.
“As a Vietnamese student in China, I’m familiar with both countries, and I hope to help promote exchanges and make the two countries better understand each other,” said Nguyen Huyen Trang, a medical student at Guangxi University in China.
Seeing the bright development prospect of China, Nguyen said he plans to find a job related to China-Vietnam medical cooperation and stay in Guangxi. “The experience of studying in China will give me more advantages in this regard,” he added.
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
ICYMI: Murray, Hayes, Levin Introduce Bill to Expand Summer EBT Program to School Breaks, Ensure Kids Don’t Go Hungry When School is Closed During the Year
ICYMI: Senator Murray, WA Food Banks, and Farmers Lay Out How Trump’s Cuts to Local Food Programs Will Hurt Families and Communities
***WATCH HERE***
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a virtual event with hunger relief organizations across Washington state to hear about the challenges they are facing amid recent steep cuts by the Trump administration to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that provide funding for food banks and schools to purchase locally-produced food and looming draconian Republican cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps over 42 million people across the country purchase fresh produce and other groceries. Republicans’ reconciliation legislation—which only requires a simple majority to pass in both the House and Senate—would cut SNAP by a staggering $300 billion, according to legislative text that was advanced by the House Agriculture Committee this week. Participating in the virtual event today were representatives from Food Lifeline, Washington Food Coalition, Second Harvest, Northwest Harvest, Harvest Against Hunger, Feeding the Northwest, EastWest Food Rescue, and the Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition.
President Trump and Republicans’ cuts to USDA and SNAP come as Washington state has been experiencing a notable rise in food insecurity in recent years. Data from the Washington State Department of Agriculture indicates that food bank visits rose from 10.9 million in 2023 to 13.3 million in 2024, with one in four Washingtonians utilizing food banks in 2024, up from one in five the previous year. Children are particularly affected by food insecurity in Washington state, with nearly 50 percent of students—approximately 538,000 children—qualifying for free or reduced-price school lunches.
“If we needed any more proof Trump is still trying to take food off the shelves at food banks, and off families’ dinner tables, all you need to do is look at the bill Republicans are marking up right now, which includes the biggest SNAP cut in history—$230 billion over the next decade. We should not be cutting off food assistance so Trump can cut his fellow billionaires a massive check,” Senator Murray said on the call today. “These cuts won’t make things more efficient, they won’t solve any problems. They just take food away from people who need it most. Investing in nutrition assistance? Investing in SNAP? That’s an investment in people.”
“My family relied on food stamps briefly when I was a kid—our country had our back, and all seven of us kids grew up to give back to our communities in different ways,” Murray continued. “As you all know, Washington state has one of the strongest, most inclusive SNAP programs in the country. So you can bet I am going to continue to be one of its strongest champions in Congress. I am not going to stand by while Republicans push families off this program and slash it to ribbons, and I am not going to be quiet as they take food from our kids.”
In March, the Trump administration inexplicably ripped away more than $660 million in funding for the Local Food for Schools Program (LFS)—which schools and child care facilities in Washington state use to purchase berries, meat, seafood, and more from local farmers and producers—as well as $500 million from the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) and $500 million from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which helps food banks buy nutritious food from local farms for the communities they serve. According to an updated estimate based on data provided by USDA, Washington state is set to lose nearly $12 million in federal funding it was set to receive from these programs this year alone—a $2.9 million cut to LFS, $3.9 million cut to LFPA, and $4.7 million cut to TEFAP—and the Trump administration’s cuts have left schools and food banks scrambling to fill the gap. Last month, Senator Murray held a virtual press conference with local food banks in Washington state raising the alarm over the Trump administration’s senseless cuts to these programs.
“Food Lifeline is deeply concerned about the proposed cuts to SNAP. Already, Washington’s hunger relief community is overwhelmed with demand. Demand that exceeds what we experienced during the pandemic. Unlike then, the Trump Administration, newly controlled Congress, and USDA, aren’t coming to help. SNAP, the first line of defense against hunger, it must be strengthened, not diminished,” said Aaron Czyzewski, Director of Advocacy & Public Policy at Food Lifeline.
“The Washington Food Coalition supports our state’s network of food banks and pantries, which are facing unprecedented demand as food insecurity is on the rise. SNAP is the first and best defense against hunger, but the proposed House cuts would do lasting damage to families and communities and overwhelm our food banks,” said Trish Twomey, Executive Director of the Washington Food Coalition.
“At EastWest Food Rescue, we see every day how layered and fragile our food system truly is, from farmers facing uncertainty to families struggling with hunger. We are deeply grateful to Senator Murray for taking the time to prioritize this complex issue and for recognizing that real solutions require collaboration across sectors. Her leadership brings hope to those working at every level of the food chain,” Monika Whitfield, Executive Director of EastWest Food Rescue.
“The proposed federal cuts to SNAP and food bank funding would have devastating consequences for Washington families already struggling to put food on the table. At a time when food insecurity remains at alarming levels across our state, our elected representation needs to strengthen our hunger relief systems, not dismantle them. We’re grateful for Senator Murray’s steadfast leadership and commitment to protecting these vital programs that serve as a lifeline for so many in our communities. Today’s summit highlights the critical importance of federal support in our collective fight against hunger, and we stand ready to work alongside Senator Murray and our partners to ensure no Washingtonian has to wonder where their next meal will come from,” said Jamielyn Wheeler, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Northwest Harvest.
Having relied on food stamps for a brief time during her childhood, Senator Murray knows firsthand the difference a helping hand can make in the lives of children, and as Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray is working around the clock to protect vital nutrition assistance and child nutrition programs. Senator Murray was the leading Congressional champion in the more than decade-long fight to reduce child summer hunger by providing families whose children are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card to buy groceries over the summer—a policy knows as “Summer EBT.” During the academic year, more than 30 million kids from low-income families rely on free or reduced-priced meals they receive at school—but when school lets out for the summer, those kids lose access to regular meals and frequently go hungry. Senator Murray first introduced legislation to establish a permanent Summer EBT program in 2014, helped to secure and extend the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program that provided summer grocery benefits to families during the COVID-19 public health emergency in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and ultimately helped negotiate and pass a permanent Summer EBT program—based on her original Stop Child Summer Hunger Act—as part of the omnibus government funding bill that was signed into law in December 2022. The Summer EBT program officially launched in 2024, with 37 states participating, including Washington state. Nearly 600,000 children in Washington state received Summer EBT—also known as SUN Bucks—last summer.
Just last week, Senator Murray introduced bicameral legislation to expand the Summer EBT program to include periods when schools are closed or operating remotely for five or more consecutive weekdays—including winter break, spring break, and other prolonged school closures—and provide funding for new implementation grants to help states implement the Summer EBT program more effectively.
Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered, are available below and HERE:
“It’s so good to see you all. I know this is not an easy moment—not for Washington state families, and not for all of you. You all are on the frontlines serving people in our communities, keeping them fed when times are tough. And that has been especially crucial in recent years.
“A quarter of people in Washington state used a food bank last year and visits have jumped to 13 million a year. But despite the crucial role you play serving our communities you all have unfortunately had a front row seat to a lot of pointless, lawless chaos President Trump has caused.
“I know this has turned your work upside down; grants being frozen, cancelled, and unfrozen; tariffs being throttled and reversed; and the threat of painful cuts in just about every proposal Republicans put forward. I have visited food banks, and heard from families and from some of you, about how this has already been incredibly harmful. I am listening—and more than that I am fighting for you. My goal is to lift your stories up, put a spotlight on these problems, and get these disastrous policies reversed.
“We have seen a few times now that when we push back hard, when we speak up loud, when we name and shame the harms that Trump is causing we can get them to back down, and reverse course—at least while the pressure stays on. Some grants have gotten moving again. Some cuts and firings are being reversed. Tariffs are being walked back a little, though Trump is still committed to an expensive trade war.
“But the fight is not over. Not by a long shot, because for every small retreat, we have seen Trump launch another devastating attack on our social safety net. If we needed any more proof Trump is still trying to take food off the shelves at food banks and off families’ dinner tables all you need to do is look at the bill Republicans are marking up right now, which includes the biggest SNAP cut in history—$230 billion over the next decade. We should not be cutting off food assistance so Trump can cut his fellow billionaires a massive check.
“These cuts won’t make things more efficient. They won’t solve any problems. They just take food away from people who need it most. Investing in nutrition assistance? Investing in SNAP? That’s an investment in people. My family relied on food stamps briefly when I was a kid. Our country had our back, and all seven of us kids grew up to give back to our communities in different ways.
“This shouldn’t even need saying, but if Republicans won’t listen to common sense and common decency, then we are going to get a megaphone and shout it from the roof tops: ‘Hands off SNAP!’
“As you all know, Washington state has one of the strongest, most inclusive SNAP programs in the country. So you can bet I am going to continue to be one of its strongest champions in Congress. I am not going to stand by while Republicans push families off this program and slash it to ribbons. I am not going to be quiet as they take food from our kids’ mouths. I am standing up. I am getting loud. And I am making your voices heard.
“We are going to fight for SNAP and for our families.”
Second annual CanREA Summit a major event for Quebec’s energy transition.
Montréal, May 15, 2025 – Drawing more than 220 attendees, the second edition of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) Net-Zero Quebec Summit, presented by Desjardins, was a great success in Montréal today.
“The CanREA Net-Zero Quebec Summit is a major opportunity for Quebec’s renewable energy industry, serving as a hub for discussions about the energy transition needed for the province to achieve net zero by 2050,” said Jean Habel, Senior Director, Québec and Atlantic Canada, CanREA. “Harnessing this energy will allow Quebecers to be more self-sufficient, greener and more prosperous.”
The day centred around in-depth discussions on the economic realities of the energy transition, including supply chain pressures, greater competition and the economic impact of decarbonization.
Discussions also focused on renewable energy projects in Quebec, particularly challenges and best practices for optimizing the rollout of energy transition projects in order to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
“Desjardins is proud to support Net-Zero Quebec, a key event for Quebec’s energy transition. This Summit presents a unique platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities relevant to the energy transition. We are determined to play an active role in providing innovative financial services and supporting initiatives that promote autonomy, prosperity and sustainability. Together, we can build a greener and more resilient Quebec,” said Mathieu Talbot, Vice President, Business Services Group and Corporate Banking, Desjardins.
The event opened with “Indigenous Communities: Essential Actors in the Energy Transition.” This inclusive panel focused on how the renewable energy and energy storage industries must commit to continuously improving their approaches to ensure that their plans align with the priorities of Indigenous communities. CanREA was thrilled to hear from panellists Chief Paul Rice from the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:kes, Jean Roy, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Kruger, and Grand Chief Jacques Tremblay of the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation, who took part in the insightful conversation.
This was a special opportunity to enrich the conversation and educate participants about how best to work together toward implementing renewable energy across Quebec.
Later, CanREA was pleased to welcome Dave Rhéaume, Executive Vice President – Commercial Activities and Chief Customer Officer at Hydro-Québec, for a discussion on solar energy development in Quebec. The discussion was moderated by Jean-Hugues Lapointe, Partner and Project Director, Energy and Resources, Power System Studies at CIMA+.
Other highlights included an enlightening discussion on Quebec’s energy advantage and a vision for the future with Philippe Dunsky, President of Dunsky Energy + Climate, moderated by Eva Lotta Schmidt, Head of Global Sustainability at ENERCON.
An inspiring discussion was also held with Stéphane Labrie, President, Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec (CPTAQ), moderated by Étienne Chabot, General Manager, Electricity for the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie.
“The panels and discussions at the Summit sparked vital conversations and broadened the knowledge of everyone who attended, which will help to accelerate Quebec’s energy transition,” says Habel.
CanREA would like to thank all of the participants, moderators and speakers who helped make the Summit a success. It would also like to extend a special thanks to its presenting sponsor, Desjardins, and to all of the sponsors for this event, including Amazon Web Services and EDF Renewables.
Photos
PHOTO: Net Zero Quebec 2025’s opening panel, “Indigenous communities: Essential actors in the energy transition,” examined how Quebec’s renewable energy and energy storage industries can align their plans with the priorities of Indigenous communities. From left to right: Moderator Émilie Sénéchal (Hydro Quebec), Jean Roy (Kruger Energy), Chief Paul Rice (Mohawk Council of Kahnawá:ke), Grand Chef Jacques Tremblay (Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation).
Quotes
“The CanREA Net-Zero Quebec Summit is a major opportunity for Quebec’s renewable energy industry, serving as a hub for discussions about the energy transition needed for the province to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Harnessing this energy will allow Quebecers to be more self-sufficient, greener and more prosperous. The panels and discussions at the Summit sparked vital conversations and broadened the knowledge of everyone who attended, which will help to accelerate Quebec’s energy transition.”
—Jean Habel, Senior Director, Québec and Atlantic Canada, CanREA
“Desjardins is proud to support Net-Zero Quebec, a key event for Quebec’s energy transition. This Summit presents a unique platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities relevant to the energy transition. We are determined to play an active role in providing innovative financial services and supporting initiatives that promote autonomy, prosperity and sustainability. Together, we can build a greener and more resilient Quebec.”
—Mathieu Talbot, Vice President, Business Services Group and Corporate Banking, Desjardins
For media interviews, please contact:
Bridget Wayland, Senior Director of CommunicationsCanadian Renewable Energy Association communications@renewablesassociation.ca
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. For more information on how Canada can use wind energy, solar energy and energy storage to help achieve its net-zero commitments, consult “Powering Canada’s Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA’s 2050 Vision.” Follow us on Bluesky and LinkedIn. Subscribe to our newsletter here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.
The post NEWS RELEASE: Net-Zero Quebec Summit gains momentum appeared first on Canadian Renewable Energy Association.
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 16, 2025.
Waste-to-energy in Australia: how it works, where new incinerators could go, and how they stack up Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Abbas, Associate Dean (Research), University of Sydney Martin Mecnarowski, Shutterstock. Every year, Australia buries millions of tonnes of waste in landfills. But these sites are filling fast, recycling has its own limitations, and most waste export is banned. So councils and state governments are looking for
The sun will come out tomorrow: remembering the life and music of Charles Strouse Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mara Davis Johnson, Lecturer in Creative and Performing Arts, University of Wollongong The Broadway community is today mourning the passing of Charles Strouse at the age of 96, the legendary composer behind hits like Bye Bye Birdie (1960), Applause (1970) and Annie (1976). Strouse was born on
No chance to say goodbye – defeated MPs will rue not giving valedictory speeches Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Nethery, Associate professor of politics and policy, Deakin University Former Greens leader Adam Bandt’s 15-year career in federal parliament came to an end in a nondescript park in Melbourne, far from the seat of power in Canberra. He was there to concede defeat in the federal
How accurate are my medical records? You might be surprised how often errors creep in Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sheree Lloyd, Senior Lecturer in Health Services Management, University of Tasmania DC Studio/Shutterstock Medical records of hundreds of patients at a Sydney hospital’s cancer genetics service have been reviewed following irregularities related to care by a single specialist. According to St Vincent’s Hospital, in about 520 records,
So your primary school child has a ‘boyfriend’ or ‘girlfriend’. Should you be worried? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cher McGillivray, Assistant Professor in Psychology, Bond University Karhut/Shutterstock If you have a child in primary school you may not be expecting to help them manage romantic relationships. Surely this is an issue for the high school years? While young children do not experience romantic love in
Viral ‘Hongdae boy’ videos expose the fringe group of South Korean men trying to sleep with foreign women Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Elfving-Hwang, Associate Professor (Korean Society and Culture), Dean International (Korea), Curtin University Shutterstock If you’re on TikTok, you may have come across “Hongdae boys” or “Hongdae guys” recently. In a social media context, the term refers to a group of young South Korean men who prey
A trial is testing ways to enforce Australia’s under-16s social media ban. But the tech is flawed Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexia Maddox, Senior Lecturer in Pedagogy and Education Futures, La Trobe University De Visu/Shutterstock Australia’s move to ban under-16s from social media is receiving widespread praise. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore and Japan, are also now reportedly considering similar moves. The ban was legislated
Banning young people from social media sounds like a silver bullet. Global evidence suggests otherwise Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jasleen Chhabra, Research Fellow, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne Monkey Business / Shutterstock Around 98% of Australian 15-year-olds use social media. Platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram are where young people connect with friends and online communities, explore and express their identities,
This election, young people held the most political power. Here’s how they voted Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Intifar Chowdhury, Lecturer in Government, Flinders University This election, a lot of focus was directed at young voters. With Millennials and Gen Z now making up a larger share of the electorate than Baby Boomers, this was deserved. But for all the attempts to reach these cohorts,
Grattan on Friday: Ley and Littleproud have had a prickly relationship – can they negotiate a smooth future? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With the future of the Coalition relationship on the line, Nationals leader David Littleproud drove to his Liberal counterpart Sussan Ley’s hometown of Albury this week. They had much to talk about, and it wasn’t going to be easy. Littleproud
Likely final House seat outcome: 94 Labor, 44 Coalition, 12 Others Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The ABC has called Labor wins in 93 of the 150 House of Representatives seats. The Coalition has won 43 seats, the Greens one and all Others
Fresh start for the Greens, with new leader Larissa Waters Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Fioritti, Lecturer in Politics, School of Social Sciences, Monash University Queensland Senator Larissa Waters is the new leader of the Australian Greens, following a two-hour partyroom meeting held in the wake of the party’s lacklustre performance in the May 3 election. Waters was elected unopposed. New
The new leader of the Greens sits in the Senate. Why is that so unusual in Australian politics? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney The 2025 federal election resulted in some unexpected outcomes, including the loss by the Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, of his seat in the House of Representatives. The new Greens leader is Senator Larissa Waters. Does it matter
Trump signed plenty of contracts in the Middle East, but he’s no closer to the two ‘deals’ he really wants Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shahram Akbarzadeh, Convenor, Middle East Studies Forum (MESF), and Deputy Director (International), Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University US President Donald Trump’s visit to Arab states in the Middle East this week generated plenty of multibillion-dollar deals. He said more than US$1 trillion (A$1.5
As the Latrobe Valley moves away from coal jobs, could a green worker’s cooperative offer a solution? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Patmore, Emeritus Professor of Business and Labour History, University of Sydney Workers at Earthworker Energy Manufacturing Co-op Worker cooperatives may sound like something out of the 19th century, but they still exist in the age of global capitalism. In Spain, for instance, the Mondragon Corporation is
It’s wild mushroom season in Australia. Here’s how to stay safe and avoid poisoning Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darren Roberts, Conjoint Associate Professor in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, St Vincent’s Healthcare Clinical Campus, UNSW Sydney dannersjb/Shutterstock A number of Australian states including New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia have issued warnings in recent weeks about the risks of eating wild mushrooms. Mushrooms generally grow
Dishevelled, dehydrated delirium: new Aussie film The Surfer, starring Nicolas Cage, is an absolute blast Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grace Russell, Lecturer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University Madman Entertainment Nicolas Cage has made a career from his highly entertaining scenery chewing. He follows a performance style he calls “Nouveau Shamanic” – an exaggerated form of method acting where he acts according to the
Disheveled, dehydrated delirium: new Aussie film The Surfer, staring Nicolas Cage, is an absolute blast Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grace Russell, Lecturer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University Madman Entertainment Nicolas Cage has made a career from his highly entertaining scenery chewing. He follows a performance style he calls “Nouveau Shamanic” – an exaggerated form of method acting where he acts according to the
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Zámborský, Senior Lecturer, Management & International Business, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The space economy is being reshaped — not just by innovation, but by geopolitics. What was once dominated by state space agencies, and more recently by private ventures, is evolving into a hybrid model in which government priorities and commercial capabilities are intertwined.
The rise of protectionist policies, tariff wars, export controls and national security concerns is forcing space firms to adapt their strategies – and in many cases, to rethink where and how they operate.
This offers countries such as New Zealand the opportunity to stand out in the new space race – becoming neutral ground with fewer trade and other regulatory barriers for the growth of the emerging hybrid space economy.
New Zealand’s flagship player in the space sector is Rocket Lab. Founded in 2006, the integrated space firm was listed on NASDAQ in 2021. By the end of 2024, the company was worth around US$8 billion.
While its headquarters are in the United States, Rocket Lab also operates in Canada and keeps around 700 of its 2,000 global staff and its key launch site in New Zealand. Recently, it also announced the acquisition of a German optical communications supplier, Mynaric.
Founded in New Zealand by Peter Beck, Rocket Lab is now headquartered in the United States with sites in Canada and elsewhere. Phil Walter/Getty Images
Opportunities in US trade war
Rocket Lab’s decision to engage in substantial foreign investment and diversify its operations across the US, New Zealand, Canada and Europe gives it flexibility in responding to the US-initiated trade war.
The current and possible future US tariffs have created uncertainty for investors. Along with retaliatory measures by China and other nations, these developments have significant consequences for space firms.
Companies in this field rely on globally sourced components (for example, semiconductors and electronic components) and materials such as steel and specialised fuel for their operations.
Firms based in just one location can suffer from tariffs or retaliatory restrictions. But those with operations in several countries — especially in more neutral countries such as New Zealand and some Southeast Asian nations — may benefit from geopolitical tensions. Geostrategic diversification gives them more options, including less risky locations for operations, trade and investments in the space sector.
A recent Deloitte report noted that companies in the space ecosystem may prefer to look for launch sites and satellite providers on neutral ground.
Initiatives are already emerging in Indonesia and Malaysia to construct commercial spaceports and attract investment in satellite manufacturing.
The benefits of being neutral
The rising geopolitical tensions mean new space firms from relatively neutral countries such as New Zealand are increasingly aligning with national defence priorities. The emerging hybrid space economy is, in some ways, a response to this global power realignment.
New Zealand has historically sought to balance strong trade ties with China, its largest trading partner, with security cooperation with the US as part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. But recent developments have prompted a reassessment.
Notably, the presence of Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea and upheavals in the global security climate after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a review of New Zealand’s defence posture.
Earlier this year, Rocket Lab also declared it was “ready to serve the Pentagon”. For example, it secured contracts worth about US$500 million to launch a satellite from New Zealand for BlackSky, a US-based space-based intelligence provider.
Rocket Lab also became one of five launch companies invited to compete for missions under the US National Security Space Launch program. This program puts the most valuable military and spy satellites into orbit, worth up to US$6 billion of Pentagon contracts in the next few years.
Ongoing economic strife and possible military conflicts have important implications for the strategies of new space firms and the policies of nations seeking space investment.
New space firms may redirect their investment to countries where their main customers are located (for example, the US or European Union) or to neutral countries less affected by geopolitical tensions (for example, New Zealand). This allows them to diversify and reduce exposure to tariffs and other restrictions.
In New Zealand, this may mean more government investment not only by Rocket Lab, but also involvement by other industry players from the US, Japan or Europe.
Commercial opportunities in the new space sector will remain. But the shape of the sector may move towards a more hybrid space, recognising both commercial and national security interests in times of economic war.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese steps into St Peter’s Square for the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, the optics will be far more than pious courtesy.
For a day, the Vatican will temporarily be the world’s premier diplomatic stage. And a canny Australian leader can use such an occasion to advance domestic and foreign policy agendas simultaneously.
Faith optics and domestic politics
Albanese has lately spoken of “reconnecting” with his Catholic heritage. He called the election of the US-born pontiff “momentous” for believers and non-believers alike.
In multicultural Australia, where roughly one in four citizens identifies as Catholic, Albanese’s trip to the Vatican allows him to reassure a core constituency that sometimes feels politically overlooked: Catholics.
This signalling costs Albanese nothing. Yet, it helps to boost Labor’s broader narrative of inclusion and respect for faith communities.
St Peter’s Square as a diplomatic crossroads
The inaugural mass will also attract a rare concentration of global powerbrokers in one square kilometre. The head-of-state guest list is still fluid, but several confirmations make the trip worth Albanese’s while.
The Australian has reported that Albanese hopes to bend the ear of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.
Albanese will also get a chance to meet Prince Edward, who will represent King Charles III, as well as his newly elected counterpart in Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected to attend after a week of overtures to the new pope concerning Kyiv’s quest for a just peace in its war with Russia.
Speculation was swirling around the possibility of US President Donald Trump returning to Rome, fresh from his high-visibility appearance at Pope Francis’s funeral on April 26.
For Albanese, a corridor encounter with Vance would allow him to set a personal tone before his expected visit to Washington later this year, without the media glare that accompanies an Oval Office photo-op.
Why leaders flock to the Vatican
Some commentators may frame the attendance of world leaders at the mass cynically: a chance to use a sacred event for their own political purposes.
Yet, politicians have long been a fixture at papal events. Such participation is hardly exceptional. It reflects a centuries-old dynamic in which those with temporal political power seek moral sanction, and the papacy demonstrates its enduring capacity to convene the political order.
First, it is a neutral micro-state whose moral authority can confer legitimacy on secular, political initiatives. Consider, for example, John Paul II’s role in Poland’s democratic revolution.
Second, the Holy See’s diplomatic corps is the world’s oldest continuous foreign service. It boasts diplomatic relations with 184 states, including Palestine and Taiwan (one of a dozen states in the world to do so).
Although every pontiff is first and foremost the universal pastor of the Catholic Church, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 also endowed him with full sovereignty over the territory of Vatican City.
The pope’s head-of-state status is most visible at multilateral forums. In 2024, for instance, Pope Francis became the first pontiff to address a G7 summit, speaking in a special session on artificial intelligence.
He also had a string of bilateral meetings on the sidelines with the leaders of the United States, Ukraine, France, Brazil, Turkey, Canada and India, among others.
When a pope travels, host governments roll out the symbols of a state visit, though the Vatican insists on calling such trips “apostolic journeys”. Conversely, when foreign leaders come to Rome, they are received in the pope’s own apartments, not in a government palace. These meetings therefore take on a spiritual, as well as political, cast.
In short, the pope moves with ease between being a shepherd and sovereign. His spiritual authority opens doors for dialogue, while his head-of-state status allows him to receive ambassadors, sign treaties and sit across the table from presidents and prime ministers.
The result is a singular blend of moral voice and diplomatic reach unmatched in global affairs.
Pragmatic statecraft under the colonnade
For a middle-power such as Australia, dialogue between a prime minister and a pope can have a multiplier top-down effect. These discussions often echo across chancelleries in the Global South, especially in Catholic Latin America and the Philippines. These are both priority markets for Australian education and green-hydrogen exports.
In Rome, Albanese can also affirm Australia’s commitment to multilateralism at a moment when Indo-Pacific tensions have nudged Canberra towards increased defence spending and an over-militarised image. The sacred stage permits a softer register: diplomacy as dialogue, not deterrence.
When the incense clears on Sunday, most viewers will remember the pageantry: the fisherman’s ring (a gold signet ring cast for each new pope), the pallium (the white woollen band draped over the pope’s shoulders during mass), and the roar of 100,000 pilgrims.
Yet, the quieter choreography in the diplomatic boxes may shape trade flows, security partnerships and refugee corridors for years.
Albanese appears to have recognised this rare alchemy. Showing up in Rome is pragmatic statecraft, executed under Bernini’s colonnade. This is where religious and political figures have long mingled — and will continue to do so as long as popes and prime minister seize the moment.
Darius von Guttner Sporzynski does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
This week, on his tour of the Middle East, United States President Donald Trump unveiled a suite of new deals with Saudi Arabia.
Trump claimed the deals were worth more than US$1 trillion (A$1.5 trillion). This is likely an overestimate. What’s less murky is that many of these deals involve the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
This news came shortly after Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, launched a new company known as Humain to develop and manage AI. The company is part of Saudi Arabia’s state-run investment firm, and is seeking to create powerful Arabic large language models. This would be significant for the more than 450 million people who speak Arabic around the world.
The country has been criticised by Human Rights Watch for human rights issues, including suppressing free speech and targeting government critics.
In one extreme example, in October 2018, one of the government’s most vocal critics, Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, was assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. A 2021 US intelligence report concluded Mohammed bin Salman approved the assassination.
Saudi Arabia is expanding its efforts to extend economic opportunities while positioning the country at the forefront of global AI innovation. According to the Global AI Index, the country’s public AI spending commitments significantly outrank those of the US and China, totalling more than $40 billion over the next decade.
The newly-launched AI company, Humain, is at the centre of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to become a global AI hub.
This week the company announced a partnership with NVIDIA, which develops special computer chips known as graphic processing units – or GPUs – for AI. NVIDIA will support the creation of AI data centres in Saudi Arabia by exporting “several hundred thousand” of its most advanced GPUs over the next five years.
Humain will also deploy an AI platform developed by NVIDIA to enable industries to create digital twins. These are virtual replicas of physical environments that aim to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
Alongside its partnership with NVIDIA, Humain also announced a new US$5 billion partnership with Amazon Web Services. This will help build a suite of AI infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
More broadly, Saudi Arabia is embedding AI into urban development. The technology is at the heart of its megacity development known as The Line. AI is also being deployed to streamline traffic systems and enhance energy efficiency.
This is something the general public in Saudi Arabia support. For example, a 2022 survey by Ipsos found 76% of adults in Saudi Arabia believed that products and services using AI have more benefits than drawbacks. This compared to a global country average of 52%.
Nonprofit organisation Freedom House says the monarchy that governs Saudi Arabia restricts almost all political rights and civil liberties. Chaudhary Umair Ahmad/Shutterstock
For example, the country reportedly used spyware on devices belonging to Jamal Khashoggi’s relatives in the lead up to his murder.
The Line will also incorporate digital tracking systems of citizens. This has led some critics to describe it as a “surveillance city”.
With the country’s track record in mind, the huge expansion of Saudi Arabia’s AI capabilities creates further opportunities for the regime to use the technology in ways that could be of concern.
In a 2024 paper political scientist Nayera Mohamed Hamed Ibrahim described AI in Saudi Arabia as being a “digital authoritarian tool” which further entrenched the absolute power of the monarchy and its control over civilian life.
The technology risks becoming an even more powerful digital authoritarian tool in Saudi Arabia as the country continues its march to becoming one of the world’s biggest developers of AI.
Niusha Shafiabady does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
Novosibirsk, May 16, 2025: Analytical center “Expert” published ranking of scientific productivity of universities for 2021-2024. The rating is a ranking of Russian universities only by publication activity indicators. The study analyzed scientific publications of 143 universities included in 17 subject ratings and 7 thematic sections.
In 2025, NSU is represented in all subject areas except management. Novosibirsk State University confirmed its leadership in the leading specialized areas: physics (1st – 2nd place), chemical technology (4th – 5th place), fuel (3rd – 6th place), and also entered the number of leaders in archeology (4th – 5th place).
— Over the past 5 years, the scale of NSU’s own research activities has grown to a level comparable to educational activities. Now this is the second basic process at the university. Since 2018, the number of NSU’s own scientific publications has increased by 30%. Thus, in 2024, there were 1,767 publications in SCOPUS publications, the number of citations in SCOPUS was 1,991. NSU will continue to open laboratories, develop promising research, innovation and technological areas, including on the basis of the infrastructure of the new campus, which is being built as part of the national project “Youth and Children”, — commented NSU Rector, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Fedoruk.
In physics, NSU occupies a leading position due to citations per article (1st place in the Russian Federation), the number of articles in Q1 journals (high-ranking journals, according to this indicator, NSU occupies 3rd place among Russian universities, the number of publications in Q1 journals at NSU increased by 19% in 2024) and the level of citations of such articles (3rd place among Russian universities).
In the subject area “Chemical Technologies”, NSU’s high position is mainly due to two indicators: the number of publications in general (5th place in the Russian Federation), including in Q1 journals (5th place in the Russian Federation).
NSU’s leading positions in the subject area “Fuel” are predetermined by the level of journals in which articles are published (1st place in the Russian Federation). As for archeology, NSU is in 1st place in the Russian Federation in terms of the level of journals in which articles are published, and in 3rd place in terms of the Hirsch level of publications and average citation of articles.
In addition, NSU is among the top 10 in the following areas: earth sciences, mathematics, energy (including renewable energy), and chemistry.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Mireille Rebeiz, Chair of Middle East Studies and Associate Professor of Francophone and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Dickinson College
Within a span of two weeks from late April to early May 2025, Israel launched two aerial attacks ostensibly targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon: The first, on April 27, struck a building in Beirut’s southern suburbs; the second, an assault in southern Lebanon, left one person dead and eight others injured.
While the attacks may not be an aberration in the long history of Israel’s military action in Lebanon, the latest episodes were notable given the context: Israel and Hezbollah have been nominally locked in a truce for five months.
As an expert on Lebanese history and culture, I believe the latest violations clearly show the fragility of that ceasefire. But more importantly, they complicate the Lebanese government’s mission of disarming Hezbollah, the paramilitary group that remains a powerful force in the country despite a series of Israeli targeted killings of its senior members. That task forms the backbone of a nearly 20-year-old United Nations resolution meant to bring lasting peace to Lebanon.
The long road to a ceasefire
In the aftermath of Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Hezbollah vowed solidarity with the Palestinian movement, resulting in a running series of tit-for-tat attacks with Israel that escalated into a full-blown war in the fall of 2024.
On Oct. 1, 2024, Israel invaded Lebanon – the sixth time since 1978 – in order to directly confront Hezbollah. That operation led to the killing of an estimated 3,800 Lebanese people and the displacement of over 1 million civilians. The damage to Lebanon’s economy is estimated at US$14 billion, according to the World Bank.
Hezbollah lost a lot of its fighters, arsenal and popular support as a result. More importantly, these losses discredited Hezbollah’s claim that it alone can guarantee Lebanon’s territorial integrity against Israel’s invasion.
The United States and France brokered a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel on Nov. 27, 2024. The agreement was based in part on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which was adopted in 2006 to end that year’s 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah. The resolution had as a central tenet the disarmament of armed militias, including Hezbollah, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
The 2024 ceasefire built on that resolution. It required Hezbollah’s retreat beyond the Litani River, which at its closest point is about 20 miles from northern Israel. In return, and by February 2025, Israel was to gradually withdraw from Lebanese territories in order to allow the Lebanese army to take control of areas in the south and to confiscate all unauthorized weapons – a nod to Hezbollah’s arsenal.
Despite these violations, large-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah has not resumed. But the next step, a lasting peace based on the laying down of Hezbollah arms, is complicated by a series of factors, not least the sectarian nature of Lebanese politics.
Since its inception in 1920, Lebanon’s governance has been defined by a polarized and formally sectarian political system, which seeded the roots of a decades-long civil conflict that began in 1975. A series of invasions by Israel in response to attacks from Lebanese-based Palestinian groups exacerbated sectarianism and instability.
The Taif Agreement, ending Lebanon’s civil war in 1989, formally recognized the state’s right to resist the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories – and with it Hezbollah’s presence as a force of resistance. An uneasy coexistence between the government and Hezbollah emerged, which often spilled over into violence, including assassinations of important public figures.
A view from the southern Lebanese district of Marjeyoun shows smoke billowing from the site of Israeli airstrikes on May 8, 2025. Rabih Daher/AFP via Getty Images
The acquiescence of Hezbollah and its allies was in part a sign of how much the power of the Shiite militia had been diminished by Israel during the conflict.
But it is also the result of a widespread general understanding in Lebanon of the need to end the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s war. The new president has brought much-needed hope to a battered country – one that has been plagued by numerous crises, including a collapsed economy that by 2019 had pushed 80% of the population into poverty.
But Aoun’s presidency signals the changing political environment in another key way; unlike his predecessors, Aoun has not endorsed Hezbollah as a legitimate resistance movement.
To this end, Aoun has made impressive gains. According to state officials, the Lebanese army had by the end of April 2025 dismantled over 90% of Hezbollah’s infrastructure south of the Litani River and taken control over these sites.
Yet Hezbollah’s chief, Naim Kassem, doggedly rejects calls to disarm and integrate the group’s fighters into the Lebanese armed forces.
Even in Hezbollah’s weakened position, Kassem believes only his movement, and not the Lebanese state, can guarantee Lebanon’s safety against Israel. And Israel violations of the ceasefire only play into this narrative.
“We will not allow anyone to remove Hezbollah’s weapons,” Kassem said after one recent airstrike, vowing that the group would hand over weapons only when Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon and ended it’s air incursions.
Yet countries including the United States and Qatar – not to mention Israel – consider Hezbollah’s disarmament a prerequisite to both peace and much-needed international assistance.
And this makes the task ahead for Aoun difficult. He will be well aware that international aid is desperately needed. But pressing too hard to accommodate either Israel’s or Hezbollah’s interests risks, respectively, exacerbating either domestic political pressures or jeopardizing future foreign investment.
To complicate matters further, the situation in Lebanon is hardly helped by developments in neighboring Syria.
The fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024 has added another element of regional uncertainty and the fear in Lebanon of further sectarian violence. Although Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has vowed to protect all religious groups, he was not able to prevent the massacre of Alawite civilians in several coastal towns – an attack that triggered a fresh wave of refugees heading toward Lebanon.
The removal of Assad was another blow for Hezbollah, a strong Assad ally that benefited from years of Syrian interference in Lebanon.
The challenge of international relations
For now, a return to full-scale war in Lebanon does not appear to be on the table.
But what comes next for Lebanon and Hezbollah depends on many factors, not least the state of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza and any spillover into Lebanon. But the actions of other regional actors, notably Saudi Arabia and Iran, matter too. Should Saudi Arabia be encouraged down the path of normalizing relations with Israel – a process interrupted by the Oct. 7 attack – then it would impact Lebanon in many ways.
Meanwhile, Iran, too, is seemingly turning to diplomatic means to address some of its regional issues, with nascent moves to both improve ties with Saudi Arabia and forge forward with a new nuclear deal with the U.S. This could see Tehran turn away from a policy of trying to impose its influence throughout the region by arming groups aligned with Tehran – first among them, Hezbollah.
Mireille Rebeiz is affiliated with the American Red Cross.
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
The Advanced Engineering School “Cognitive Engineering” of Novosibirsk State University presented the results of its work for 2024 and long-term development plans at the Council for the consideration of issues and coordination of the activities of the Advanced Engineering School chaired by the head of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia Valery Falkov.
The flagship project of the Ministry of Education and Science “Advanced Engineering Schools” has been implemented since 2022. Currently, 50 such schools have been created within its framework, and by 2030, on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, their number should be increased to 100. Thanks to this program, new competence centers in the fields of biotechnology, oil and gas engineering, space instrumentation, optical sensors and closed-loop technologies have appeared at NSU. Students of the Advanced Engineering Schools study in 5 master’s programs of NSU and 6 network educational programs of higher education created jointly with NSTU, NSAU, Ufa State Petroleum Technological University.
Starting this year, the first 30 schools from 15 regions, including NSU PISh, are moving to a new stage of financing under the terms of the project – after three years of budget financing, they will move to off-budget financing and will operate at the expense of funds attracted from industrial partners and other competitive programs of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.
— The first 30 advanced engineering schools are moving to a new qualitative level of development. The results presented by the university teams show that together we have managed to create an effective model for integrating education, science and production. The next stage for the first wave of schools will be scaling up their activities. Everything necessary for this is available: modern equipment, competencies, established contacts with industrial partners. It is important that regional authorities pay great attention to the development of advanced engineering schools in their cities, understanding their value for strengthening relations between higher education and the real sector of the economy, — emphasized the head of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science Valery Falkov.
At the defense of the results of the work, Novosibirsk State University was represented by the Vice-Rector for Research Activities of NSU Dmitry Churkin, the Director of the NSU Cognitive Engineering School Sergey Golovin, the Deputy General Director for Expertise and Functional Development of Gazpromneft NTC LLC Veronika Filimonova, the founder of Sibsensor LLC Ivan Shelemba, and a graduate and junior research fellow of the NSU Cognitive Engineering School Stepan Karmushin.
The NSU Advanced Engineering School presented key results of its activities over 3 years of work. During this time, a number of new educational spaces were created at the NSU Advanced Engineering School: three laboratories in the field of biotechnology, a research and testing laboratory in optical sensorics, a digital factory and fab lab in the field of space instrumentation, a fab lab in chemical synthesis, as well as a VR studio and coworking for project work. The involvement of leading specialists in the activities of the laboratories and good equipment allows students and employees to work at the cutting edge of technological developments.
The main achievements and contribution of the NSU Advanced Engineering School to the process of scientific and technological development of the country were highlighted by the director of the NSU Advanced Engineering School, Sergei Valerievich Golovin:
— The main result of 2024 is the completion of the formation of technology platforms for the development of new products and the implementation of educational programs. New centers for biotechnology, optical sensorics, closed-loop technologies have been created, and existing divisions in the field of space instrumentation and oil and gas technologies are implementing new large projects. Among the achievements of the past year: the creation of a digital factory of small spacecraft and the production of the first commercial CubeSat satellites, the development of new equipment and methods for express diagnostics of the state of permafrost soils, the development of a reagent base for high-performance DNA and RNA sequencing with subsequent data processing using multifunctional software, the creation of a unique metrology complex for fiber-optic sensors. The creation of the PIS gave a new impetus to work with schoolchildren on their early career guidance and involvement in science and technology.
Project work in the competence centers of the PIS or in the framework of industrial partners on applied tasks to be solved is the basis of student training. The opportunity to interact at the training stage with the competence centers of the PIS NSU, scientific organizations, private technology businesses and large companies forms a holistic picture of the possibilities for further employment or the creation of their own technology business for students.
— Novosibirsk State University is one of the key partners in our ecosystem. Together, we implement projects in the field of geological exploration, production and development of science-intensive software, including the use of mathematical modeling and artificial intelligence methods. Particular attention is paid to the integration of fundamental science into solving current industry problems. NSU students undergo training in our master’s programs and participate in practical work in the company’s scientific division. This cooperation opens up new prospects for the development of engineering education and technology, — Veronika Filimonova, Deputy General Director for Expertise and Functional Development of Gazpromneft NTC LLC, spoke about the training of new generation engineers and the projects implemented jointly with the PISH partner.
The implementation of the socio-economic development initiative “Advanced Engineering Schools” in the period from 2022 to 2024 was carried out within the framework of the federal project “Advanced Engineering Schools” of the state program “Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation”. Since 2025, the continuity of the activities of the project “Advanced Engineering Schools” was ensured by including them in the federal project “Universities for the Generation of Leaders” of the national project “Youth and Children”.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
On election night, a triumphant Anthony Albanese took to the stage brandishing a Medicare card as a symbol of the nation’s commitment to public healthcare.
As the re-elected government gets to work on its promised national food security strategy “Feeding Australia”, it has a unique opportunity to build a strategic agenda as bold and transformative as Medicare.
That agenda is investment in food as a public good – a recognition that a healthy food system is as important to the nation’s health and wellbeing as access to hospitals, bulk-billing doctors and subsidised medicines.
Feeding Australia
The new Labor government, with its large majority, has a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver meaningful change in our food system.
It went into the election promising a new food security strategy, which Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says will improve supply chain resilience and and minimise price volatility at the checkout:
Australia has an impressive record in agriculture, feeding millions of people both here and abroad, but we can’t afford to be complacent. The Albanese Labor government will protect and strengthen Australia’s food security for the benefit of our farmers and all Australians, as well as the trading partners that rely on our produce. When our food and supply chains are secure, it reduces financial strain on households, helping all Australians.
Repeating past mistakes will again risk putting corporate hunger first. The Feeding Australia strategy must prioritise the health of people, planet, and care for Country.
Food for thought
The food security strategy must address multiple, converging crises:
growing food poverty
worsening diet-related health
biosecurity threats
accelerating climate change
declining farmer viability
supermarket duopoly.
Australia produces enough food to feed more than twice its population. Yet it struggles to feed its own people well.
Foodbank Australia estimates one third of Australians now experience some form of food insecurity. A combination of market failures and policy inaction leaves us vulnerable to supply chain disruption and even greater food inequity.
But it’s not only consumers who are suffering. One-third of vegetable growers are considering leaving agriculture in the next year, due to high costs and what growers’ group AUSVEG has called the “relentless squeeze” on margins.
A business-as-usual approach will only reinforce the current state of Australia’s supermarket sector, which is among the most concentrated and profitable in the world. Accusations of price gouging and misleading pricing raise concerns for consumers, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis.
As extreme climate events and biosecurity threats increase in frequency and intensity, the duopoly’s centralised supply chains have occasionally failed. After this year’s floods in Far North Queensland, supermarket shelves were empty once again.
Empty shelves were a weekly occurance in Far North Queensland after the floods stopped rail and road transport. Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash
Yet, independent grocers with shorter supply chains remained stocked – as they did during the Queensland floods in 2011.
The food strategy must do more than offer a band-aid solution to fix an ailing food system.
Community networks
Local food networks have an important role to play in this process.
They are collectives of people and organisations that are committed to creating food and farming systems that put health, equity, and sustainability first. They gather collective wisdom, mobilise public procurement to support local producers, and secure more democratic, health-oriented, and sustainable food system policies.
New research points to how community-led food cooperatives can also help improve food security and healthier diets.
These, and other examples, show the power of community in strengthening food system resilience and security. But they can’t do it alone. Communities need government support and investment.
Future food
The question of who feeds Australia – and how we are fed – matters to us all.
The National Food Security Strategy is an opportunity to forge a more healthy food future. It can lay the foundations for a food and farming system that feeds us well for generations to come.
Achieving this bold agenda will take an inclusive, participatory process that foregrounds First Nations’ voices and the lived experience of those at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis.
Rachael Walshe works for Sustain: The Australian Food Network
Kelly Donati is a co-founder and volunteer board director of Sustain: The Australian Food Network.
Molly Fairweather works for Sustain: The Australian Food Network. She is also a member of Healthy Food Systems Australia (HFSA).
Nick Rose is the co-founder and Executive Director of Sustain: the Australian Food Network. He is also a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Food Studies at William Angliss Institute.
Nick Rose was a Partner Investigator on an ARC project, Strengthening Food Governance at the Local Level (2019-2022).
Sustain currently receives funding from a range of public sector organisations and philanthropic foundations with a shared mission for food system change, including VicHealth and Lord Mayor’s Charitable Organisation.
When a molecule absorbs light, it undergoes a whirlwind of quantum-mechanical transformations. Electrons jump between energy levels, atoms vibrate, and chemical bonds shift — all within millionths of a billionth of a second.
These processes underpin everything from photosynthesis in plants and DNA damage from sunlight, to the operation of solar cells and light-powered cancer therapies.
Yet despite their importance, chemical processes driven by light are difficult to simulate accurately. Traditional computers struggle, because it takes vast computational power to simulate this quantum behaviour.
Quantum computers, by contrast, are themselves quantum systems — so quantum behaviour comes naturally. This makes quantum computers natural candidates for simulating chemistry.
Until now, quantum devices have only been able to calculate unchanging things, such as the energies of molecules. Our study, published this week in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, demonstrates we can also model how those molecules change over time.
We experimentally simulated how specific real molecules behave after absorbing light.
Simulating reality with a single ion
We used what is called a trapped-ion quantum computer. This works by manipulating individual atoms in a vacuum chamber, held in place with electromagnetic fields.
Normally, quantum computers store information using quantum bits, or qubits. However, to simulate the behaviour of the molecules, we also used vibrations of the atoms in the computer called “bosonic modes”.
This technique is called mixed qudit-boson simulation. It dramatically reduces how big a quantum computer you need to simulate a molecule.
Using a new technique allows realistic simulations to be carried out with small quantum computers. Nicola Bailey
We simulated the behaviour of three molecules absorbing light: allene, butatriene, and pyrazine. Each molecule features complex electronic and vibrational interactions after absorbing light, making them ideal test cases.
Our simulation, which used a laser and a single atom in the quantum computer, slowed these processes down by a factor of 100 billion. In the real world, the interactions take femtoseconds, but our simulation of them played out in milliseconds – slow enough for us to see what happened.
A million times more efficient
What makes our experiment particularly significant is the size of the quantum computer we used.
Performing the same simulation with a traditional quantum computer (without using bosonic modes) would require 11 qubits, and to carry out roughly 300,000 “entangling” operations without errors. This is well beyond the reach of current technology.
By contrast, our approach accomplished the task by zapping a single trapped ion with a single laser pulse. We estimate our method is at least a million times more resource-efficient than standard quantum approaches.
We also simulated “open-system” dynamics, where the molecule interacts with its environment. This is typically a much harder problem for classical computers.
By injecting controlled noise into the ion’s environment, we replicated how real molecules lose energy. This showed environmental complexity can also be captured by quantum simulation.
What’s next?
This work is an important step forward for quantum chemistry. Even though current quantum computers are still limited in scale, our methods show that small, well-designed experiments can already tackle problems of real scientific interest.
Simulating the real-world behaviour of atoms and molecules is a key goal of quantum chemistry. It will make it easier to understand the properties of different materials, and may accelerate breakthroughs in medicine, materials and energy.
We believe that with a modest increase in scale — to perhaps 20 or 30 ions — quantum simulations could tackle chemical systems too complex for any classical supercomputer. That would open the door to rapid advances in drug development, clean energy, and our fundamental understanding of chemical processes that drive life itself.
The authors declare no competing interests. The research was supported by the Sydney Horizon Fellowship program, the Wellcome Leap Quantum for Bio program, the Australian Research Council, the US Office of Naval Research Global, the US Army Research Office Laboratory for Physical Sciences, Lockheed Martin and the Sydney Quantum Academy.
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
During the event, thematic specializations of the campus were defined and focused in accordance with the strategic priorities for the development of the country, industry and region. Participants of the strategic session analyzed in detail the research areas, flagship products and their potential for development based on the modern infrastructure of the NSU campus. As a result, comprehensive product programs were developed in such areas as applied mathematics (including artificial intelligence and big data processing), applied engineering, biotechnology and biomedicine, new functional materials, as well as space instrumentation.
— Our joint task is to fill the new buildings with advanced scientific developments, high-quality education and unique technologies in demand by all campus users in the shortest possible time: both the regional leadership and industrial partners, as well as students, teachers and city residents. The strategic session in Novosibirsk showed excellent results, demonstrating coordinated, organized and constructive work. The teams created promising products focused on the interests and needs of modern youth. The level of detail achieved in the development of product programs is truly impressive, but now the region needs to pay close attention and refine their financial models for successful implementation in the campus activities, — noted Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Russia Andrey Omelchuk.
The strategic session was attended by about 100 NSU employees representing key areas of the university, including space instrumentation, biotechnology and biomedical research, as well as advanced areas of mathematics. In addition, representatives of the Novosibirsk Region Government and industrial partners of the campus were invited to participate.
Let us recall that Novosibirsk Oblast is among the five regions that will be the first to develop and implement product programs. In recent years, the university’s strategy has been transformed towards building closer interaction with economic sectors and industrial partners. The development of a campus product program is an important step in implementing NSU’s development strategy and will allow the university to strengthen the campus’s position as a leading scientific and educational center.
The construction of the NSU campus includes two stages: the first — the educational building and leisure center of the NSU SUNC, as well as the NSU dormitory complex for 690 people — was put into operation in May 2024 and opened its doors to students in September 2024. The construction of the second stage has crossed the “equator” — the overall readiness of the facilities is 57%. The building of the flow auditoriums was put into operation in December 2024, its furnishing with furniture and equipment will be completed in the second quarter of 2025, the educational process in the new building will begin in September of this year. The buildings of the educational and scientific center of the NSU Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies and the research center are also being erected. Their construction is planned to be completed in 2026.
On the instructions of President Vladimir Putin, a network of modern campuses is being created in Russia. By 2030, a constellation of 25 campuses should appear in the country. Work in this area is being carried out by the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. Currently, 24 such campuses are being designed and built with the support of the national project “Youth and Children”. One of them has already been completely built in Moscow on the basis of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. By 2036, the number of campuses will increase to 40. The project is being financed by federal and regional budgets, as well as by extra-budgetary sources.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Released 16/05/2025
Canberrans are being called upon to deepen their knowledge of the law as the ACT prepares for its annual Law Week.
Running 16 to 23 May, the week includes a range of events to promote public understanding of the law and its role in society. The theme for 2025 is “exploring law, engaging communities, inspiring change”.
Attorney-General Tara Cheyne said with the government in the process of progressing important reforms, Law Week provides a timely opportunity for the community to learn more about the justice system and how it works.
“The law intersects with almost every aspect of our lives, although many of us don’t think about it until it affects us personally. Law Week is a chance for us to reflect on our unique legal system and acknowledge its important role in our society,” the Attorney-General said.
“Australia’s legal system is one of the key elements that ensure we live in a free and fair society that finely balances individual rights and community safety.
“The ACT Government is currently consulting on important bail reforms which would seek to improve the framework within which judicial officers need to make often complex decisions. To find out more or provide input visit www.yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/bail-reform.
“Another key initiative is the proposed introduction of an indicative sentencing framework, which has the potential to streamline criminal court proceedings, reduce uncertainty for defendants and victims, and allow for faster access to support services.
Law Week events in Canberra are being delivered by the ACT Law Society and its partners. This year they are also raising funds for Roundabout Canberra.
In addition to fundraising events there are also a number of free educational events, including a series of events for high school and college students at the ACT Courts on Friday 23 May, including:
Mock jury empanelment: An interactive role play highlighting the jury process and guided by Sheriff’s Officers.
Mock bail hearing: You be the judge, a simulated court hearing delivered in an engaging, educational format.
Local justice organisations: An exhibit of organisations that work in the justice sector, with visits from Court Support Canines.
Educational court tours: Showing students the ACT Courts’ history and what happens inside a courtroom.
Quotes attributable to Benjamin Wickham, CEO at ACT Courts and Tribunals:
“This is our third annual open day as part of Law Week. As well as the mock bail hearing, our Sheriffs will guide students through the jury empanelment process, and we will have a cohort of local justice agencies onsite to give visitors information about the vital services they provide to the community.
“The aim of this open day is to give people a view behind the scenes of the courts. Coming before a judge or a magistrate can be extremely stressful, and the open day gives people an opportunity to see how the justice system works and hopefully take away some of the fear and anxiety that people have about what happens here.”
