In an exclusive interview with Doordarshan News, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the sweeping governance reforms and inclusive development initiatives undertaken during the past 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He described the period as a “transformational decade” that has democratized aspirations and expanded opportunities across regions and sectors.
Democratisation of Civil Services and Aspirations
Singh emphasized that the Civil Services, once dominated by select states like Bihar and Tamil Nadu, now see top performers from previously underrepresented regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Haryana. Citing examples like Parsanjit Kour from Poonch (AIR 11, 2022) and Anmol Sher Singh Bedi from Punjab (AIR 2, 2016), he hailed this shift as proof of the system’s increasing objectivity and accessibility.
“This is the true essence of democracy—where every mother, regardless of her socio-economic standing, has the confidence to believe her child can reach the top,” he stated.
Start-Up India Reframed Employment Thinking
Singh noted that PM Modi’s 2016 call for “Start-Up India, Stand-Up India” revolutionized the employment landscape. “People realized that jobs don’t just mean Sarkari Naukri—they mean innovation, entrepreneurship, and startups,” he said. He pointed to the biotechnology sector’s exponential growth from just 50 startups in 2014 to over 10,075 in 2024, with a valuation leap from $10 billion to $170 billion.
Integration of Northeast and J&K
Lauding the integration of the Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir into India’s mainstream development, the Minister said regions long isolated now enjoy railway connectivity and are participating in sectors like aviation and hospitality. He recalled the emotional story of young women from Manipur working in airlines—tragically lost in an Ahmedabad air crash—as symbolic of the transformation these regions have undergone.
India’s Ascent in Space and Biotech
Singh reaffirmed India’s rising stature in space and science. He announced that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the mission pilot on the Axiom-4 mission, conducting biotech experiments using indigenous kits. He added that India is on track to establish its own space station—‘Bharat Antariksh Station’—by 2035.
Revolution in Governance and Service Delivery
Highlighting key governance reforms, Singh said India’s grievance redressal system – Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) – has evolved into a global model, handling over 26 lakh grievances in 2024 with a 96% disposal rate—compared to just 2 lakh in 2014.
He also praised the Digital Life Certificate (DLC) system for pensioners, powered by facial recognition technology, which spares elderly citizens from bank visits. Additionally, reforms now allow women officers to nominate parents or children as pension beneficiaries, reflecting a more compassionate system.
Zero-Corruption Record and Cultural Shift
Singh stated that “not a single charge of corruption” has surfaced against any member of the Union Council of Ministers over the past 11 years, contrasting it with previous regimes plagued by scams. He said this clean governance, combined with 100% saturation of schemes like PM Awas Yojana—even in non-traditional voter areas—signals a shift away from vote-bank politics.
J&K Stability and Future Prospects
Addressing the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, the Minister said normalcy has returned, with tourism booming. “Visit Pahalgam today—you’ll find it crowded despite recent incidents,” he said, adding that youth in the region are determined to be part of India’s development journey. He also called the recent discovery of lithium reserves in J&K a potential economic game-changer.
Towards Viksit Bharat 2047
Concluding his remarks, Singh underscored the role of citizens in shaping the nation’s future. “The real driving force behind Viksit Bharat 2047 will be the people of India—their support, aspirations, and participation will define the next 25 years of our journey,” he said.
In an exclusive interview with Doordarshan News, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the sweeping governance reforms and inclusive development initiatives undertaken during the past 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He described the period as a “transformational decade” that has democratized aspirations and expanded opportunities across regions and sectors.
Democratisation of Civil Services and Aspirations
Singh emphasized that the Civil Services, once dominated by select states like Bihar and Tamil Nadu, now see top performers from previously underrepresented regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Haryana. Citing examples like Parsanjit Kour from Poonch (AIR 11, 2022) and Anmol Sher Singh Bedi from Punjab (AIR 2, 2016), he hailed this shift as proof of the system’s increasing objectivity and accessibility.
“This is the true essence of democracy—where every mother, regardless of her socio-economic standing, has the confidence to believe her child can reach the top,” he stated.
Start-Up India Reframed Employment Thinking
Singh noted that PM Modi’s 2016 call for “Start-Up India, Stand-Up India” revolutionized the employment landscape. “People realized that jobs don’t just mean Sarkari Naukri—they mean innovation, entrepreneurship, and startups,” he said. He pointed to the biotechnology sector’s exponential growth from just 50 startups in 2014 to over 10,075 in 2024, with a valuation leap from $10 billion to $170 billion.
Integration of Northeast and J&K
Lauding the integration of the Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir into India’s mainstream development, the Minister said regions long isolated now enjoy railway connectivity and are participating in sectors like aviation and hospitality. He recalled the emotional story of young women from Manipur working in airlines—tragically lost in an Ahmedabad air crash—as symbolic of the transformation these regions have undergone.
India’s Ascent in Space and Biotech
Singh reaffirmed India’s rising stature in space and science. He announced that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the mission pilot on the Axiom-4 mission, conducting biotech experiments using indigenous kits. He added that India is on track to establish its own space station—‘Bharat Antariksh Station’—by 2035.
Revolution in Governance and Service Delivery
Highlighting key governance reforms, Singh said India’s grievance redressal system – Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) – has evolved into a global model, handling over 26 lakh grievances in 2024 with a 96% disposal rate—compared to just 2 lakh in 2014.
He also praised the Digital Life Certificate (DLC) system for pensioners, powered by facial recognition technology, which spares elderly citizens from bank visits. Additionally, reforms now allow women officers to nominate parents or children as pension beneficiaries, reflecting a more compassionate system.
Zero-Corruption Record and Cultural Shift
Singh stated that “not a single charge of corruption” has surfaced against any member of the Union Council of Ministers over the past 11 years, contrasting it with previous regimes plagued by scams. He said this clean governance, combined with 100% saturation of schemes like PM Awas Yojana—even in non-traditional voter areas—signals a shift away from vote-bank politics.
J&K Stability and Future Prospects
Addressing the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, the Minister said normalcy has returned, with tourism booming. “Visit Pahalgam today—you’ll find it crowded despite recent incidents,” he said, adding that youth in the region are determined to be part of India’s development journey. He also called the recent discovery of lithium reserves in J&K a potential economic game-changer.
Towards Viksit Bharat 2047
Concluding his remarks, Singh underscored the role of citizens in shaping the nation’s future. “The real driving force behind Viksit Bharat 2047 will be the people of India—their support, aspirations, and participation will define the next 25 years of our journey,” he said.
TEL AVIV, Israel , June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LightSolver, inventors of a new laser-based HPC computing paradigm, today announced that it has been named a 2025 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum (WEF). With this recognition, LightSolver joins an elite group of startups that are addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges via breakthrough technologies.
Now in its 25th year, the WEF Technology Pioneers program honors 100 early-stage technology companies that exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and transformative potential needed to shape a more equitable, sustainable future.
LightSolver is reimagining high-performance computing (HPC) with its all-optical Laser Processing Unit™ (LPU) by leveraging laser interactions to compute large and complex problems at the speed of light. This novel computing technology enables faster, more scalable solutions for problems that require massive number crunching, such as combinatorial optimization, computer-aided engineering (CAE) simulations, and other complex scientific computations.
As a member of the 2025 Technology Pioneers cohort, LightSolver will join the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a premier global network advancing the application of human-centered and society-serving technologies. The program offers a unique platform for members to scale their innovations and amplify their impact. Through this opportunity, LightSolver will engage directly with leaders across the public and private sectors, contribute ideas, share insights, and help shape the global agenda on emerging technologies.
“We look forward to joining this inspiring global community of innovators,” said Ruti Ben-Shlomi, CEO and co-founder of LightSolver. “At LightSolver, we believe the future of computing demands new paradigms that are not only faster and more efficient but also scalable and sustainable. This recognition reinforces our mission and motivates us to continue advancing optical computing to solve complex global challenges.”
Learn more about the 2025 Technology Pioneers here.
About The World Economic Forum The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. (www.weforum.org).
About the Technology Pioneers Community Launched in 2000, the Technology Pioneers community marks its 25th anniversary in 2025 as a leading platform for early-stage companies from around the world that are shaping the future through breakthrough technologies and innovations. These companies are selected for their potential to have a significant impact on business and society and are invited to engage with public and private sector leaders through the World Economic Forum’s global platform. The Technology Pioneers community is part of the Innovator Communities within the Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Innovator Communities convene the world’s leading global start-ups across different growth stages from early-stage Technology Pioneers to growth-stage Global Innovators and unicorn companies valued at more than $1 billion.
About LightSolver LightSolver is a photonics computing company that is developing an all-optical supercomputer capable of solving complex and large computational problems at the speed of light. Utilizing the interference patterns of lasers, the Laser Processing Unit™ (LPU) can tackle challenges that were previously constrained by the limits of electronics, while fitting into a rack unit and operating at room temperature. Dr. Ruti Ben-Shlomi and Dr. Chene Tradonsky, physicists from the world-renowned Weizmann Institute, founded the company in 2020. More than 2/3 of the team are physics, math and computer science PhDs. LightSolver has secured investment from TAL Ventures, Entree Capital, IBI Tech Fund, Angular Ventures, Maverick, and Artofin. The company has also received a €12.5M grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to advance its all-optical supercomputer. Connect with LightSolver @LightSolverCo on X and on LinkedIn. For more information, visit lightsolver.com or email info@lightsolver.com.
In a move to strengthen global efforts against waterborne disease, WHO has released 54 WASH-related pathogens new technical background documents — announced yesterday at a global water microbiology conference in the Netherlands — that capture the latest science on pathogens linked to drinking-water and sanitation systems.
Unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene (WASH) continue to expose billions of people to harmful pathogens every day. These systemic failures are responsible for more than 1.4 million preventable deaths each year, disproportionately affecting young children.
The newly published documents offer a detailed overview of pathogens that pose a risk through water, sanitation, or both. WHO has included documents for several pathogens not traditionally considered waterborne, but for which questions have been raised about possible transmission through drinking-water.
Each background document provides a concise summary of the current science. This includes information on human health impacts, disease patterns, modes of transmission, and sources of faecal contamination. The profiles also detail how these pathogens occur in the environment – including in various parts of the water cycle – and how they are detected, prevented, and managed within drinking-water and sanitation systems.
The technical package also features a list of the top 10 water- and sanitation-related pathogens, developed to spotlight priority threats, raise awareness and support clear communication of the evidence and actions outlined in the background documents. Well-managed sanitation and drinking-water systems will effectively control WASH-related pathogens, including these top 10.
This summary, along with the background documents, is being launched at WaterMicro25, the 22nd Health Related Water Microbiology Conference today, in the Netherlands. Based on burden of disease data, evidence of WASH transmission and concerns such as antimicrobial resistance, the Top 10 pathogens include diarrhoea genic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella spp., Shigella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and hepatitis A.
“We know what’s making people sick and we know how to stop it,” said Bruce Gordon, Head of WHO’s Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health Unit. “Safe drinking-water, sanitation systems and strong regulations are the foundation for public health – yet millions still lack access to them. A key is for all countries to work within their means and make gradual improvements within their systems to stop these pathogens.”
A global problem, a preventable burden Many of these pathogens are transmitted not just through drinking-water, but also through contaminated food, hands and the environment. Poorly managed sanitation systems, unreliable water supply and exposure to animal waste all contribute to transmission.
Although vaccines exist for some of these diseases – including cholera, rotavirus, typhoid and hepatitis A – most remain preventable only through long-term WASH investments, such as:
“Effective WASH, which can stop all pathogens, is an essential complement to vaccination,” said Dr Sophie Boisson, Lead Epidemiologist in WHO’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Unit. “Effective WASH provides the multiple barriers that stop transmission of over 50 waterborne pathogens – viruses, bacteria and protozoan parasites.”
By identifying the pathogens that matter most – and the systems that can stop them – WHO aims to strengthen disease prevention from the ground up.
“It’s time to align public health strategies with water and sanitation realities,” added Boisson. “Without addressing the root causes of pathogen transmission, we will keep responding to outbreaks rather than preventing them.”
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University has confirmed the high level of training of specialists: according to the results of the national ranking of graduate employment, published by the Federal Service for Labor and Employment (Rostrud), the university was among the best universities in the country and demonstrated one of the highest results among universities in St. Petersburg.
The ranking includes more than 150 universities from all regions of Russia. SPbPU is represented in the following areas of education: “Humanities”, “Engineering, Technology and Technical Sciences”, “Arts and Culture”, “Mathematical and Natural Sciences”, “Sciences about Society”.
In each category, Polytechnic University is among the top 8 universities in St. Petersburg: its success is especially noticeable in mathematical and natural sciences, where SPbPU ranks fourth in undergraduate programs and third in graduate programs, which underlines the university’s high scientific and educational reputation.
Polytechnic University also has a good position in the field of social sciences: graduates of the Master’s program occupy third place in the city in terms of employment and salaries, ahead of many specialized universities. Graduates of the Design program have become the most sought-after – SPbPU ranks first among St. Petersburg universities in the field of Art and Culture and second in Russia.
This leading position testifies to the comprehensive development of the Polytechnic University and its significant contribution to the training of sought-after and competitive specialists in accordance with the trending requirements of industrial customers.
At Polytechnic University, we do not just teach students, but actively promote their career growth and successful integration into the country’s economy in their chosen field. Already during their studies, Polytechnic students have the opportunity to solve real problems at partner enterprises. This allows us to prepare sought-after specialists who can make a significant contribution to Russia’s technological leadership. As a result, most graduates are employed or receive attractive offers from employers even before defending their diploma. The geography of their work covers both Russia and other countries, – commented SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy.
SPbPU demonstrates stable positions in the rankings thanks to a systematic approach: we develop connections with employers, implement practice-oriented modules and prepare graduates for real work. This is confirmed by statistical data and independent analytical assessments, – noted Vice-Rector for Educational Activities of SPbPU Lyudmila Pankova.
The rating is based on data on employment and salary levels of 2022 graduates, obtained from the Federal Service for Labor and Employment. The rating is calculated based on data on employment and salary levels two years after graduation.
The full rating is published onwebsite Federal Service for Labor and Employment of Russia.
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.
SINGAPORE, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EveLab Insight, a global leader in AI skin analysis technology, successfully concluded its debut at VivaTech 2025, Europe’s premier innovation and technology event. From June 11-14, the company showcased a major advancement in visual AI: real-time dynamic wrinkle analysis, which brings a new dimension to personalized early-ageing awareness and skincare strategies.
From Static Images to Smart, Dynamic Skin Analysis
Traditional skin assessments rely on static imaging, capturing only a momentary view of the skin’s surface. EveLab Insight’s latest innovation applies dynamic video-based analysis to observe how the skin responds to facial expressions and micro-movements. By tracking the appearance and fading of expression-related lines in real time, the technology enables a more thorough understanding of visible skin behavior over time.
“Our solution doesn’t just analyze the skin—it reads how it moves and adapts,” said Yolanda Ching, Head of Global Sales & Marketing at EveLab Insight. “This brings new value to brands and professionals seeking more personalized, data-driven approaches to skin care.”
Expression lines—such as crow’s feet or forehead creases—often appear prior to long-term texture changes, and may reflect early signs of reduced skin elasticity. By identifying these patterns, brands and consultants can offer more timely, tailored skincare solutions aligned with individual skin behavior.
Introducing AI Skin Aging Trajectories
This breakthrough forms part of EveLab Insight’s strategy to build an AI foundation model for skin analysis. By combining static images with dynamic behavioral data, the company is developing a solution to help users and beauty professionals track and assess evolving skin patterns over time—what EveLab calls the “skin aging timeline.”
These insights enables more informed product recommendations and personalized skincare journeys—whether focused on hydration, firmness, or smoothing—based on how each individual’s skin responds to movement and environment.
A Global Partner in AI Skin-Tech
To date, EveLab Insight’s solutions have been adopted in over 4,500 physical retail locations worldwide, and the company has formed strategic partnerships with more than 200 clients, including Shiseido, Dr. Barbara Sturm, and Sulwhasoo. Its AI-powered solutions are integrated across flagship stores, spas, and experiential events—enhancing customer engagement and delivering consistent, tech-enabled skin health consultations.
At VivaTech 2025, EveLab Insight’s live demonstrations attracted strong attention from top global brand’s executives, investors, and media. Attendees praised the platform’s accuracy, clarity, and real-time interaction, as well as its ability to support customized customer experiences across markets.
About EveLab Insight EveLab Insight is uncovering the ground truth of skin through science and AI. By working with leading global skincare brands, spas, and aesthetic clinics, we transform our customers’ R&D process more data-driven and rigorous, delivering smarter and more personalized skin health and beauty solutions.
EveLab Insight is more a technology company. We are transforming the skincare industry and empowers its participants by seamlessly blending science, beauty, health and innovative consumer experiences.
For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, visit www.evelabinsight.com or contact alison@evelabinsight.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
SINGAPORE, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EveLab Insight, a global leader in AI skin analysis technology, successfully concluded its debut at VivaTech 2025, Europe’s premier innovation and technology event. From June 11-14, the company showcased a major advancement in visual AI: real-time dynamic wrinkle analysis, which brings a new dimension to personalized early-ageing awareness and skincare strategies.
From Static Images to Smart, Dynamic Skin Analysis
Traditional skin assessments rely on static imaging, capturing only a momentary view of the skin’s surface. EveLab Insight’s latest innovation applies dynamic video-based analysis to observe how the skin responds to facial expressions and micro-movements. By tracking the appearance and fading of expression-related lines in real time, the technology enables a more thorough understanding of visible skin behavior over time.
“Our solution doesn’t just analyze the skin—it reads how it moves and adapts,” said Yolanda Ching, Head of Global Sales & Marketing at EveLab Insight. “This brings new value to brands and professionals seeking more personalized, data-driven approaches to skin care.”
Expression lines—such as crow’s feet or forehead creases—often appear prior to long-term texture changes, and may reflect early signs of reduced skin elasticity. By identifying these patterns, brands and consultants can offer more timely, tailored skincare solutions aligned with individual skin behavior.
Introducing AI Skin Aging Trajectories
This breakthrough forms part of EveLab Insight’s strategy to build an AI foundation model for skin analysis. By combining static images with dynamic behavioral data, the company is developing a solution to help users and beauty professionals track and assess evolving skin patterns over time—what EveLab calls the “skin aging timeline.”
These insights enables more informed product recommendations and personalized skincare journeys—whether focused on hydration, firmness, or smoothing—based on how each individual’s skin responds to movement and environment.
A Global Partner in AI Skin-Tech
To date, EveLab Insight’s solutions have been adopted in over 4,500 physical retail locations worldwide, and the company has formed strategic partnerships with more than 200 clients, including Shiseido, Dr. Barbara Sturm, and Sulwhasoo. Its AI-powered solutions are integrated across flagship stores, spas, and experiential events—enhancing customer engagement and delivering consistent, tech-enabled skin health consultations.
At VivaTech 2025, EveLab Insight’s live demonstrations attracted strong attention from top global brand’s executives, investors, and media. Attendees praised the platform’s accuracy, clarity, and real-time interaction, as well as its ability to support customized customer experiences across markets.
About EveLab Insight EveLab Insight is uncovering the ground truth of skin through science and AI. By working with leading global skincare brands, spas, and aesthetic clinics, we transform our customers’ R&D process more data-driven and rigorous, delivering smarter and more personalized skin health and beauty solutions.
EveLab Insight is more a technology company. We are transforming the skincare industry and empowers its participants by seamlessly blending science, beauty, health and innovative consumer experiences.
For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, visit www.evelabinsight.com or contact alison@evelabinsight.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
Polytechnic University received a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science for the development of scientific and technological infrastructure and technologies in the field of nuclear medicine, nanomedicine and hadron therapy, including the development of high-tech and radiopharmaceutical drugs.
The Polytechnic University has won the competitive selection for the provision of grants in the form of subsidies from the federal budget for the implementation of individual activities of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Synchrotron and Neutron Research and Research Infrastructure for the Period up to 2030 and Beyond. The grant is aimed at developing scientific and technological infrastructure and technologies in the field of nuclear medicine, nanomedicine and hadron therapy, including the development of high-tech and radiopharmaceutical drugs (RPhLD).
A group of scientists from SPbPU, headed by the director of the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology Andrey Vasin, together with the scientific team of the Department of Molecular and Radiation Biophysics of the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute” – PNPI, presented a research program for the competition dedicated to the development of new technologies for the encapsulation and delivery of radionuclides for the diagnosis and therapy of malignant neoplasms.
Currently, in Russia there are practically no original modern technological developments in the field of encapsulation of various radionuclides of therapeutic action, which can be further used to create new RFLPs to combat socially significant diseases, primarily malignant neoplasms. We plan to develop methods for obtaining hybrid nanocarriers for radionuclides and methods for encapsulating radioactive isotopes of radium-224 and iodine-125 in them by the end of 2025. And in the next two years, preclinical studies of the safety of the RFLPs being developed will be conducted and the effectiveness of their use for the treatment of malignant neoplasms in vivo will be studied, – noted Andrey Vasin.
There are also plans to implement an additional professional development program, “Modern methods of delivering radionuclides for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant neoplasms,” which will allow training personnel for the industry.
We are grateful to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation for supporting our project, which has quite a serious groundwork and an excellent team of researchers, including many young scientists. The funds received will also be used to modernize the equipment needed to conduct research in the field of developing RFLP drugs. Preventive maintenance of individual systems of the isochronous cyclotron MGC-20, which is used to produce radioactive isotopes to obtain RFLP, is planned. The plans include equipping areas for quality control of “cold” hybrid nanocarriers and isotopes based on the scientific divisions of the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology, – commented the curator of the project, Vice-Rector for Research at SPbPU Yuri Fomin.
The project is being implemented jointly with the scientific team of the Department of Molecular and Radiation Biophysics of the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute” – PNPI, which has a research infrastructure for the development and conduct of preclinical studies of radiopharmaceutical drugs. The project will be implemented during 2025-2027, the total funding will be 231 million rubles, including 21 million rubles of the organization’s own funds.
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: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
A working meeting of representatives of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the National Research University Moscow State University of Civil Engineering with the management of the State University of Management and the team of the Student Design Bureau “Innovative Solutions” was held at the State University of Management.
Deputy Director of the Department for Coordination of Activities of Educational Organizations Aslan Dambegov and Deputy Head of the Department for Coordination of Activities of Educational Organizations Natalya Trukhacheva came to get acquainted with the work of SKB GUU from the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. From NRU MGSU – the operator of the competition of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia of Student Design Bureaus (SDB) – our university was visited by the Head of the Student Entrepreneurship Center of the Science Policy Department Roza Kazaryan and the Project Manager Kirill Zyuzin.
The Vice-Rectors of the University Maria Karelina and Vitaly Lapshenkov and the team of the Student Design Bureau under the leadership of the Director of the Engineering Project Management Center Vladimir Filatov told the guests about the projects of the SKB “Innovative Solutions” of the State University of Management.
SKB “Innovative Solutions” is a platform where students from the State University of Management and other technical universities develop real projects for industry in the following areas:
The team of the Student Design Bureau of the State University of Management said that in 2025 they plan to implement projects to create 3D models of electric trains and implement unmanned transport control technologies. The parties also considered the possibilities of inter-university collaborations within the framework of the project and support formats from industrial partners.
The visit of the representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia and the National Research University Moscow State University of Civil Engineering to the State University of Management was the first in a series of meetings with the leaders of the competition of student design bureaus of Russia. In total, 15 universities of the country passed the competitive selection in the areas of “Student Design Leadership” and “Creation and Development of a Student Design Bureau” and became winners.
Let us recall that a new reverse engineering laboratory was recently opened at the State University of Management.
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 (Au and NZ) – By Sanjoy Paul, Associate Professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management, UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney
The Iranian parliament has approved the closure of key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz, in a move that could further escalate the Israel/Iran war.
The strait lies between Iran and its Gulf Arab neighbours and is used to transport about 20 million barrels per day of oil – the equivalent of 20% of global daily oil consumption.
Since 2020, this critical route has been used to transport an average of 14.8 million barrels a day of crude oil and natural gas liquids, 5.5 million barrels a day of petroleum products and 10.8 billion cubic feet per day of LNG.
The closure of the strait, which will not take effect until endorsed by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, will significantly impact global oil and gas supplies and could potentially create energy crises.
An important route for Asia
In 2024, 84% of the crude oil and natural gas liquids, and 83% of the LNG passed through this channel were destined for Asian countries including China, India, Japan and South Korea.
In the first quarter of 2025, China alone imported about 38% of crude oil shipped through the strait.
It is likely these countries will be directly impacted by a closure.
What it means for Australia
Only about 15% of Australia’s crude oil and 5% of petroleum products are imported from Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
However, 30% of Australia’s refined oil effectively transits through the Strait of Hormuz. This is because Australia sources refined oil from the Republic of Korea and Singapore that is refined from crude oil from the Middle East.
If Australia’s key suppliers are affected by the closure, there could be devastating flow-on effects for the country’s oil supply.
Since the conflict between Iran and Israel started, the oil price has increased by 10%. The closure of the strait could further inflate the oil price globally
Though Australia does not rely directly on crude oil from the Middle East, its reliance on South Korea and Singapore for refined oil is significant. The increased oil price and its impact on the cost of goods and services could also hurt Australia’s fight to control inflation.
Past tensions in the strait
The Strait of Hormuz has never been fully closed. However, it has been disrupted a few times leading to reduced capacity.
Notable disruptions include attacks on commercial ships including oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and the tension in the strait between Iranian and US navies in 2007.
None of these disruptions led to the closure of the channel so the impact of these disruptions on global oil supply was minimal.
Bypassing the strait
Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have established oil pipelines that could bypass the Strait of Hormuz if it is closed or compromised.
Saudi Arabia’s pipeline can carry five million barrels per day and the emirates’ capacity is 1.5 million barrels per day. This is compared to their production capacities of nine and 3.3 million barrels per day respectively.
This could significantly slow down the transportation of crude oil from both countries.
Qatar relies on the Strait of Hormuz to transport nearly all of its LNG shipments. Last week Qatar instructed all LNG carriers to hold off transiting through the strait until the day before loading and to remain east of Hormuz. This has kept their carriers outside the impacted regions.
The limited alternative options and reduced capacities of pipelines could potentially disrupt the global oil and LNG supply.
Potential strategies
If the strait is fully closed, the impacts could be severe, especially for Asian countries which rely on energy from the Middle East.
Many countries, such as China, have oil reserves that can sustain their current oil consumption for about five years. However, many developing countries don’t keep supply inventories.
Supply countries should focus on expanding alternative routes such as pipelines connected to alternative ports.
Most importantly, countries should focus on creating renewable energy sources and speed up their adoption to meet energy needs. In future, renewable energies will be the most viable alternatives to crude oil and LNG amid geopolitical tensions.
Sanjoy Paul 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: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Community of Shared Future Study Center was established in Tianjin, north China, local newspaper Tianjin Ribao reported on Saturday.
The new research center is based at Tianjin Foreign Studies University (TFISU). Its establishment was initiated by TFISU together with the Foreign Affairs Office of the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government and the Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences.
According to the publication, the center will combine the scientific and external relations resources of the above-mentioned three organizations. It is planned that within the framework of the joint meeting mechanism, the center will annually convene a plenary meeting 1-2 times, and working meetings – on an unspecified schedule.
The work of the center will be aimed at providing intellectual support in achieving the goals of sustainable development of the SCO and realizing the vision of building a closer community of a common destiny of the SCO, as well as creating a platform of new types of analytical centers with international influence.
The center will focus on studying the theory and practice related to the SCO community of shared destiny, international cooperation in education and training of specialists in multilateral governance, inheriting and developing the core values of the “Shanghai Spirit”, researching issues of regional governance and multilateral cooperation, and serving state strategies and regional development, the newspaper notes.
Let us recall that the next SCO summit is planned to be held in Tianjin this fall. -0-
The City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to announce a new work placement initiative aimed at encouraging more young women to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Applications are now open for the Young Women in STEM Work Placement Program which is aimed at high school students in Years 9 and 10 across Greater Bendigo. The program will offer week-long placements in selected City units where STEM skills are actively applied such as Bendigo Airport, Bendigo Venues & Events, Engineering and Financial Strategy.
Applicants will undergo a competitive selection process managed by the respective unit.
Director Corporate Performance Jess Howard said the City was proud to present the new STEM placement program.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for 12 young women to gain hands-on experience and valuable insights on what STEM careers look like within local government,” Ms Howard said.
“Students will be selected through a competitive application process and placed in departments where they will see how STEM skills are used every day.
“The City is deeply committed to advancing gender equality both in the workplace and across our community. This program reflects our goal to build strong, diverse teams that deliver high-quality services.
“STEM offers a wide range of exciting and evolving career pathways, and these skills are increasingly valued by employers. I hope this experience inspires students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths. It’s vital that organisations like ours, and local businesses in the region, continue to attract emerging talent and embrace the benefits of a diverse workforce.”
The following City business units are championing the program and offering placement opportunities that highlight STEM in action:
Bendigo Venues & Events: August 25-29, 2025
Resource Recovery & Education: August 25-29 or September 1-5, 2025
Climate Change & Environment: September 1-5 or September 15-19, 2025
Engineering: September 1-5 or November 10-14, 2025
Financial Strategy: September 8-12 or October 20-24, 2025
Bendigo Airport: October 6-10 or November 10-14, 2025
Information Technology: November 10-14, 2025
Today also marks International Women in Engineering Day, a global celebration of the achievements of women engineers and a call to action for more women to shape the world through engineering. The City proudly acknowledges the contributions of its women engineers: Saran O’Connor-Williams (Infrastructure Engineer), Larnie Ham (Graduate Design Engineer), and Kylie Douglas (Senior Landfill Engineer).
“Their work demonstrates the innovation and impact of women in engineering and highlights the exciting range of career opportunities available in STEM,” Ms Howard said.
The City presents around 60 work placements a year for high school and university students, of which 12 will be linked to the Young Women in STEM Work Placement Program. The other City placements are open to everyone who meets the criteria.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ASTANA, June 23 (Xinhua) — China and Central Asian countries have deepened comprehensive cooperation, achieving successful results on a wide range of issues, according to a report released by the Xinhua Think Tank on Sunday.
Tremendous achievements have been made in developing ties in seven key areas: economic and trade exchanges, infrastructure connectivity, energy cooperation, developing sectors, capacity building for development, mutual learning among civilizations, and peace and security, according to a report titled “Developing the Central Asia-China Spirit: Achievements, Possibilities and Prospects of Regional Cooperation” released by the Xinhua News Agency Research Institute, a think tank affiliated with the Xinhua News Agency.
From rail corridors to renewable energy, from education to cultural exchanges, China-Central Asia cooperation is delivering real benefits on the ground, laying a stronger foundation for shared growth.
According to the report, the volume and quality of trade and economic cooperation between China and Central Asian countries has increased in recent years, and China has become Central Asia’s largest trading partner and a significant source of investment.
To promote sustainable growth, China and Central Asian countries have expanded cooperation in science, technology and education. The Lu Ban Workshop has become a new platform for cooperation in international vocational education. Based on local development needs, the Lu Ban Workshops in Central Asia have created demand-driven training models to promote regional poverty reduction and industrialization.
Humanitarian exchanges are also flourishing. Central Asian tourism, culture and art festivals are growing in popularity in China. Chinese films and TV dramas have become hits in Central Asia. –0–
So you’ve never been to a gym and are keen to start, but something’s holding you back. Perhaps you don’t know what to actually do in there or feel like you’ll just look stupid in front of everyone. Maybe you’re worried about injuring yourself.
So, how do people get started in the gym? Here’s what you need to know, and what the research says.
Worried about injury?
Don’t be. It’s probably less risky than lots of other forms of exercise you might already do or did in the past.
Team sports such as rugby and soccer, and strength-based sports such as powerlifting, weightlifting, and cross fit all have similar injury rates. They’re all in the vicinity of three to four injuries per 1,000 hours of participation.
Going to the gym has almost half this rate of injuries, at about 1.8 per 1,000 hours.
Let’s put that into context.
If you go to the gym three times per week for a one-hour session – and you do that every week of the year – you achieve approximately 156 hours of resistance training exercise a year.
So if the injury rate is about 1.8 injuries per 1,000 hours, that means that you could exercise for years in the gym without even a little niggle!
Some groups, such as young men under 40, may be at a greater risk of injury in the gym. So if that’s you, you may want to be a little more conscious about how fast you progress, and the types of exercises you do in the gym.
In short, it’s a lot more dangerous to be sedentary than it is to go to the gym.
OK, how do I get started?
It’s fine to begin with what you feel most comfortable with. You don’t have to go straight to a ridiculously complex or challenging program.
However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to put in the effort!
Most gyms can start you off by designing a workout program for you (you might have to pay for a personal training session). If you have a medical condition, find an accredited exercise physiologist. They’re trained to help you exercise safely.
It’s OK to start with gym machines, which are designed to make it easier to keep your movements consistent.
But keep your mind open about trying the free weights section (where the dumbbells, barbells and mirrors are). Benefits from this type of training may vary from what you get via machines.
That’s because a lot of the moves you do with free weights are what’s called compound exercises, meaning they work a lot of muscles and joints together at the same time. They’re really good for you. Examples of compound exercises include:
If you are new to the gym, you can make progress with a minimalist approach. For example, you may choose to only lift once or twice per week, compared with many seasoned gym-goers who might lift four or five times per week.
Recent research shows even those people already consistently lifting in a gym can maintain or slowly improve by doing just two sessions per week, in which each exercise is only performed for one set and the whole session lasts just 30 minutes or so.
So if you can stick to one hour per week (made up of two challenging half-hour sessions) then you will still be making progress.
How do I make my habit stick?
Sticking to the habit after the novelty has worn off is where many come unstuck.
Some research suggests it takes six weeks to form a gym habit, and that the more frequent the attendance in those first six weeks, the more likely the habit will stick.
At the one-year mark, the biggest predictor of regular attendance (defined as twice per week) was enjoyment. This was followed closely by the concept of self-efficacy (believing in yourself and your ability to stick to it), and social support.
This is really important.
Find what you like about the gym. Train the way that you enjoy. Find a friend to join the gym with. That will help you create the habit.
From there, you can progress the types and intensity of gym exercises you do.
The confusion about which bit of the machine to sit on, pull, or push, is a tad overwhelming.
The sense of security in sticking to the familiar, shying away from the free weight area.
Remember: everyone is there to improve themselves and is on their own journey.
Most people won’t even notice that you are there, and most experienced gym-goers will be delighted to help if you’re unsure.
If that’s not your experience at your local gym, perhaps look for a new and more welcoming environment. Not all gyms and gym cultures are created equal.
Mandy Hagstrom is affiliated with Sports Oracle, a company that delivers the International Olympic Committee diploma in Strength and Conditioning.
Commercial satellite imagery indicates the U.S. attack on Iran’s Fordow nuclear plant severely damaged – and possibly destroyed – the deeply-buried site and the uranium-enriching centrifuges it housed, but there was no confirmation, experts said on Sunday.
“They just punched through with these MOPs,” said David Albright, a former U.N. nuclear inspector who heads the Institute for Science and International Security, referring to the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-busting bombs that the U.S. said it dropped. “I would expect that the facility is probably toast.”
But confirmation of the below-ground destruction could not be determined, noted Decker Eveleth, an associate researcher with the CNA Corporation who specializes in satellite imagery. The hall containing hundreds of centrifuges is “too deeply buried for us to evaluate the level of damage based on satellite imagery,” he said.
To defend against attacks such as the one conducted by U.S. forces early on Sunday, Iran buried much of its nuclear program in fortified sites deep underground, including into the side of a mountain at Fordow.
Satellite images show six holes where the bunker-busting bombs appear to have penetrated the mountain, and then ground that looks disturbed and covered in dust.
The United States and Israel have said they intend to halt Tehran’s nuclear program. But a failure to completely destroy its facilities and equipment could mean Iran could more easily restart the weapons program that U.S. intelligence and the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) say it shuttered in 2003.
‘UNUSUAL ACTIVITY’
Several experts also cautioned that Iran likely moved a stockpile of near weapons-grade highly enriched uranium out of Fordow before the strike early Sunday morning and could be hiding it and other nuclear components in locations unknown to Israel, the U.S. and U.N. nuclear inspectors.
They noted satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies showing “unusual activity” at Fordow on Thursday and Friday, with a long line of vehicles waiting outside an entrance of the facility. A senior Iranian source told Reuters on Sunday most of the near weapons-grade 60% highly enriched uranium had been moved to an undisclosed location before the U.S. attack.
“I don’t think you can with great confidence do anything but set back their nuclear program by maybe a few years,” said Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. “There’s almost certainly facilities that we don’t know about.”
Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat and member of the Senate intelligence committee who said he had been reviewing intelligence every day, expressed the same concern.
“My big fear right now is that they take this entire program underground, not physically underground, but under the radar,” he told NBC News. “Where we tried to stop it, there is a possibility that this could accelerate it.”
Iran long has insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
But in response to Israel’s attacks, Iran’s parliament is threatening to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the cornerstone of the international system that went into force in 1970 to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, ending cooperation with the IAEA.
“The world is going to be in the dark about what Iran may be doing,” said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association advocacy group.
‘DOUBLE TAP’
Reuters spoke to four experts who reviewed Maxar Technologies satellite imagery of Fordow showing six neatly spaced holes in two groups in the mountain ridge beneath which the hall containing the centrifuges is believed to be located.
General Dan Caine, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that seven B-2 bombers dropped 14 GBU-57/B MOPs, 30,000-pound precision-guided bombs designed to drive up to 200 feet into hardened underground facilities like Fordow, according to a 2012 congressional report.
Caine said initial assessments indicated that the sites suffered extremely severe damage, but declined to speculate about whether any nuclear facilities remained intact.
Eveleth said the Maxar imagery of Fordow and Caine’s comments indicated that the B-2s dropped an initial load of six MOPs on Fordow, followed by a “double tap” of six more in the exact same spots.
Operation Midnight Hammer also targeted Tehran’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, he said, and struck in Isfahan, the location of the country’s largest nuclear research center. There are other nuclear-related sites near the city.
Israel had already struck Natanz and the Isfahan Nuclear Research Center in its 10-day war with Iran.
Albright said in a post on X that Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery showed that U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles severely damaged a uranium facility at Isfahan and an impact hole above the underground enrichment halls at Natanz reportedly caused by a Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-busting bomb that “likely destroyed the facility.”
Albright questioned the U.S. use of cruise missiles in Isfahan, saying that those weapons could not penetrate a tunnel complex near the main nuclear research center believed to be even deeper than Fordow. The IAEA said the tunnel entrances “were impacted.”
He noted that Iran recently informed the IAEA that it planned to install a new uranium enrichment plant in Isfahan.
“There may be 2,000 to 3,000 more centrifuges that were slated to go into this new enrichment plant,” he said. “Where are they?”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday chaired two high-level meetings in Raipur to review and strengthen anti-Naxal strategies in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Odisha. The meetings included an Inter-State Security Coordination session with top police officials from the seven Naxal-hit states and a review of the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) situation in Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma, the Union Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, and other senior officials were present during the discussions.
Praising the efforts of the state leadership, Shah said the biggest achievement of the Sai government over the past 18 months has been the revival of stalled anti-Naxal operations. He credited both the CM and Deputy CM for injecting new momentum into the campaign, boosting the morale of security forces, and showing committed leadership in the fight against extremism.
Confidently outlining the Centre’s target, Shah asserted that India will be completely free of Naxalism by March 31, 2026. “This monsoon, Naxals won’t be able to rest as usual—our forces will continue operations with full strength,” he said.
He also urged youth involved in Naxal activities to surrender and benefit from the state’s rehabilitation policy, calling on them to rejoin mainstream society and become part of Chhattisgarh’s development journey.
In a push to modernize the criminal justice system, Shah laid the foundation stone for the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) campus in Raipur and virtually inaugurated the temporary NFSU campus. He called these developments a “historic step” that will serve not just Chhattisgarh but central India in enhancing scientific investigation capabilities.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) hosted the closing ceremony for the 2025 Delegation of Young Leaders from Bangladesh to China on June 20 in Beijing. The event marked the end of a 10-day exchange program across Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. The visit was organized by ACCWS to deepen the understanding of China’s development achievements and philosophy among the younger generation of Bangladeshi leaders.
The exchange comes as China and Bangladesh celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations and the China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchanges, highlighting the growing importance of bilateral ties and youth engagement.
The program brought together over 20 young representatives from Bangladeshi universities, media outlets, think tanks and political organizations. During their stay in China, the delegates participated in seminars, field visits and cultural exchanges, exploring topics such as governance, innovation, development and international cooperation.
Yu Tao, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), delivers a speech at the closing ceremony in Beijing, June 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]
Yu Tao, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), emphasized that young people are key participants in shaping the future of China-Bangladesh relations. “Young people are not only witnesses to our friendship, but also the bridge to its future,” Yu said.
He called on delegates to strengthen people-to-people ties through mutual learning, cross-cultural storytelling and enhanced cooperation within the Global South.
Md Abbas, journalist from The Daily Star, shares his views during the closing ceremony in Beijing, June 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]
Md Abbas, a journalist from Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star, described the visit as transformative. “We exchanged not just ideas, but values, visions and dreams,” Abbas said during the closing ceremony.
Abdul Karim, a lecturer at Noakhali Science and Technology University, expressed his admiration for China’s urban development and its long-term planning mindset.
Liu Zongyi, director at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), speaks at the closing ceremony in Beijing, June 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]
Liu Zongyi, director of the Center for South Asia Studies and the Research Office of Major Power Relations at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), and director of the Centre for China Studies (Bangladesh), encouraged delegates to view China’s experience as a reference — not a model — and adapt what they had learned to their own national context.
“Understanding each other’s realities is the starting point for meaningful cooperation,” Liu said.
Delegates pose for a group photo after receiving certificates at the closing ceremony in Beijing, June 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]
Participants voiced hopes of carrying the spirit of the visit back to Bangladesh, promoting dialogue, mutual respect and a closer China-Bangladesh community with a shared future.
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 23, 2025.
Illegal US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities came in spite of no evidence BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin in occupied Bethlehem Kia ora koutou, I’m a Kiwi journo in occupied Bethlehem, here’s a brief summary of today’s events across the Palestinian and Israeli territories from on the ground. The US struck three of Iran’s nuclear facilities overnight, entering the illegal aggression on Iran with heavy airstrikes despite no
My kids only want to eat processed foods. How can I get them eating a healthier and more varied diet? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Fuller, Clinical Trials Director, Department of Endocrinology, RPA Hospital, University of Sydney If it feels like your child’s diet consists entirely of breakfast cereal, chicken nuggets and snacks that’d outlast the apocalypse, you’re not alone. Processed foods are the go-to for many kids, and for some,
Defence Force to send plane to assist New Zealanders stranded in Iran and Israel By Giles Dexter, RNZ News political reporter The Defence Force is sending a plane to the Middle East to assist any New Zealanders stranded in Iran or Israel. The C-130J Hercules, along with government personnel, will leave Auckland on Monday. Airspace is still closed in the region, but Defence Minister Judith Collins said the deployment
Trump’s decision to bomb Iran exposes fissures in US politics Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lester Munson, Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney US President Donald Trump’s strike on Iran’s nuclear weapons program, which he foreshadowed on and off for the past few days, has revealed a surprisingly broad middle ground in US politics, even as it has provoked
Leaders in US-affiliated Pacific react to surprise strikes on Iran By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Leaders in the US-affliliated Pacific Islands have reacted to the US strikes on Iran. US president Donald Trump said Iran must now make peace or “we will go after” other targets in Iran, after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said
Global warming is changing cloud patterns. That means more global warming Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Jakob, Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century, Monash University Caleb Weiner / Unsplash At any given time, about two-thirds of Earth’s surface is covered by clouds. Overall, they make the planet much cooler than it would be without them. But
NZ’s changing diet: Māori bread and jackfruit join other new foods in the country’s nutritional database Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick William Smith, Associate Investigator in Nutritional Science, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Shutterstock/Alesia Bierliezova The latest update to the New Zealand food composition database, a comprehensive collection of nutrient data collated jointly by Plant & Food Research and the Ministry of Health, brings more
How pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is changing. Here’s what this means for you Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexis Shub, Obstetrician & Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, The University of Melbourne How Australian pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is set to change, with new national guidelines released today. Changes are expected to lead to fewer diagnoses in women at lower risk, reducing the burden
Freak wind gusts made worse by climate change threaten airline passenger safety Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Unexpected severe turbulence injured crew and passengers on a Qantas Boeing 737 during descent at Brisbane on May 4 2024. The subsequent Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation suggested the severity of the turbulence
Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ming Gao, Research Fellow of East Asia Studies, Lund University Katerina Elagina/Shutterstock One of the most sought-after items of 2025 isn’t a designer handbag or the latest tech gadget. It’s a plush elf with a snaggle-toothed grin. Labubu (拉布布) is a global sensation. From David Beckham and
Pro-independence advocates urge MSG to elevate West Papua membership By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent Two international organisations are leading a call for the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to elevate the membership status of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) at their upcoming summit in Honiara in September. The collective, led by International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) and International Lawyers
Starving Gaza civilians toll climbs at Israeli humanitarian ‘death traps’ Pacific Media Watch BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin in occupied Bethlehem Kia ora koutou, I’m a Kiwi journo in occupied Bethlehem, here’s a brief summary of today’s events across the Palestinian and Israeli territories from on the ground. Israeli forces killed over 200 Palestinians in Gaza over the last 48 hours, injuring over 1037. Countless
NZ group slams Israeli ‘hoodwinking’ of US over nuclear strikes – Peters calls for talks Asia Pacific Report The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa has called on New Zealanders to condemn the US bombing of Iran. PSNA co-chair Maher Nazzal said in a statement that he hoped the New Zealand government would be critical of the US for its war escalation. “Israel has once again hoodwinked the United States into fighting
The US has entered the Israel-Iran war. Here are 3 scenarios for what might happen next Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Parmeter, Research Scholar, Middle East Studies, Australian National University After prevaricating about whether the United States would enter Israel’s war on Iran, President Donald Trump finally made a decision. Early Sunday, US warplanes struck three of Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, where the
What is a ‘bunker buster’? An expert explains what the US dropped on Iran Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Dwyer, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania The jagged silhouette of a B2 stealth bomber seen during a 2015 flyover in the US. Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Late on Saturday night, local time, the United States carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear enrichment
Muted response from Albanese government on US attack on Iran Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government has given a tepid response to the United States’ bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities. The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement from a government spokesperson, but there were no plans on Sunday afternoon for Anthony Albanese or
What is a ‘bunker buster’? An expert explains what the US dropped on Iran – and what might happen now Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Dwyer, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania The jagged silhouette of a B2 stealth bomber seen during a 2015 flyover in the US. Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Late on Saturday night, local time, the United States carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear enrichment
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
Superlyophobicity of laser-textured surfaces in rarefied atmosphere conditions was studied by a 4th-year student Faculty of Physics Novosibirsk State University Nikita Smirnov under the scientific supervision of Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Senior Lecturer of the Department of General Physics of the Physics Faculty of NSU, Leading Researcher, Acting Head of Laboratory 10.1 of the S.S. Kutateladze Institute of Thermophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Sergey Starinsky. As part of his scientific work, the young researcher compared the indicators of the wetting properties of such surfaces with the data that were obtained under normal atmospheric conditions, and found that the differences between them are insignificant and in both cases the wettability of the surface under study is affected by the temperature factor.
Superlyophobicity is the property of a surface to repel liquid, forming almost spherical drops that do not spread but roll off it. This state of the surface is determined by such an indicator as the contact angle of wetting – the angle between the solid surface and the tangent to the liquid drop at the point of contact. In superlyophobic surfaces in a normal state without tilting, it exceeds 150°. Superlyophobicity can be achieved by creating structures on the surface that minimize the contact of liquid with the surface. This property of the surface can be useful in various applications where it is necessary to minimize its contact with liquids.
— It was important for us to study the superlyophobicity of laser-textured materials in a vacuum to test the classical Cassie-Baxter wetting theory, according to which these properties are achieved due to the air retained in the surface texture. And we had a question: what will happen if it is completely removed? Will the liquid flow into the structures or will the surface retain its water-repellent properties. The study of this problem is important and relevant, since the use of superlyophobic surfaces in airless space will solve a number of problems, for example, with icing, protection from condensation and corrosion of various space and suborbital vehicles. Such materials with a “water-repellent” structure have many areas of application. They can also be used in combustion physics. They can be in demand in the space industry – provided that they retain superlyophobicity in vacuum conditions. This is what we had to find out, — said Nikita Smirnov.
The young researcher turned to the literature on such studies of laser-textured surfaces in vacuum conditions and found only a few published scientific articles on this topic. The authors of only one of them managed to achieve water-repellent properties that would be fully preserved in vacuum conditions. At the same time, the reasons for this phenomenon were not studied in detail, and it was unknown what makes the main contribution to the preservation of these properties in a rarefied atmosphere. In his work, Nikita Smirnov proposed using superlyophobic surfaces with a developed structure, created using pulsed laser exposure and covered with a repellent fluoropolymer layer. This approach is easy to implement, since it is quite easy to reproduce the results obtained under known conditions and no special conditions are required for texturing. Another important advantage is the low cost of the technology, achieved due to the fact that in recent decades lasers have become more widespread and effective, and their use is widely used in various areas of production. It was proposed to spray the fluoropolymer coating in a thin layer so that the texture obtained by the laser would not change at the micron level, but would only be covered with a repellent layer. Nikita Smirnov decided to study the hydrodynamics of liquid droplets on superlyophobic surfaces inclined at a small angle (
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Fuller, Clinical Trials Director, Department of Endocrinology, RPA Hospital, University of Sydney
If it feels like your child’s diet consists entirely of breakfast cereal, chicken nuggets and snacks that’d outlast the apocalypse, you’re not alone.
Processed foods are the go-to for many kids, and for some, they’re the only foods they’ll eat.
Here’s why – and what you can do about it.
Processed foods and their prevalence in kids’ diets
Processed foods are any foods altered from their natural state.
While some food processing is beneficial – such as pasteurising milk to kill bacteria – the ones that cause parents concern are ultra-processed foods, which use industrial methods to enhance flavour, texture and shelf life by adding sugars, salt, fats and artificial flavours, colours and preservatives.
Parents know some ultra-processed foods all too well – they’re the fast and junk foods kids love. But others hide in plain sight, disguised as “healthy” convenience foods such as flavoured yoghurts and muffins.
Ultra-processed foods offer low-to-no nutrition, which is why dietary guidelines recommend limiting them. But these
“discretionary foods” make up one-third of Aussie kids’ daily energy intake.
Why do kids find processed foods so appealing?
Basic biology
Ultra-processed foods are engineered to be addictive, with their added sugar, salt and fat activating kids’ brains’ reward system, releasing feelgood chemicals.
Evolution has hardwired humans to seek natural sugar- and fat-rich foods – a physiological response our hunter-gatherer ancestors developed to avoid starvation.
Fussy eaters also favour ultra-processed foods, such as chicken nuggets, chips and breakfast cereals, because they’re familiar and non-threatening, often beige like breastmilk and kids’ first solid foods. Plus their blander flavours don’t overwhelm developing tastebuds.
Pester power
From sneaky YouTube ads to eye-level supermarket displays, kids are incessantly exposed to marketing that makes them crave – and demand – ultra-processed foods.
How processed foods impact kids’ health
Ultra-processed foods can impact kids’ health in a range of ways, contributing to:
nutritional deficiencies. Kids filling up on ultra-processed foods are less likely to eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats, producing a diet lacking in fibre and other key nutrients needed for growth and development
increased risk of diseases. Long-term overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is linked with a higher risk of developing a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Unhealthy eating habits can be hard to break, but positive diet and lifestyle changes – even later in childhood – can reverse these negative health effects.
Science-based tips for healthier eating habits
1. Eat together
Family mealtimes allow you to model healthy eating. Sit together around the table, share the same meal, and put devices away so everyone’s attention is on eating.
2. Introduce foods carefully
Research shows kids need eight to ten exposures before they willingly eat new foods. So offer them regularly, encourage tasting and don’t pressure them to eat.
While it’s tempting, avoid offering dessert as a reward for trying something healthy. Using treats as a reward increases kids’ preference for unhealthy foods.
Kids are also more likely to try new foods when they’re hungry, so avoid snacks one to preferably two hours before mealtimes.
So, tweak family favourites by swapping ingredients, such as using lentils instead of beef in bolognese or roasting carrots to make “orange chippies”. Grating veggies into sauces also expands kids’ diets without overwhelming them.
4. Make food fun
Children respond positively when healthy foods are presented in fun ways, so include different colours, textures and shapes on their plate to hold their interest.
Changing meal locations – and enjoying an occasional outdoor picnic – is another simple way to make mealtimes feel special and fun.
Changing where you eat can make meals fun. RDNE/Pexels
encourage kids to grow herbs and veggies so they understand where healthy food comes from: toddlers can harvest produce; older kids can plant and prune
visit the greengrocer, fishmonger and butcher regularly so kids can see and explore the healthy foods on offer
talk to toddlers about food in energy terms: “eating wholegrain toast helps you play longer”
share fun facts with older kids: “fish has a special type of fat called omega-3 that makes us smarter”.
6. Involve kids in cooking
Spark kids’ interest in healthy meals by involving them in food preparation. Let them choose recipes and take on age-appropriate tasks such as mixing and chopping.
When kids help make a meal, they feel proud of their effort, and research shows they’re more likely to try what they’ve created.
It takes about two months to form a habit, so expect resistance along the way. But with perseverance, we can shift kids’ love of processed foods toward healthier choices, helping them establish healthy eating habits for life.
A/Professor Nick Fuller works for the University of Sydney and RPA Hospital and has received external funding for projects relating to the treatment of overweight and obesity. He is the author and founder of the Interval Weight Loss program, and the author of Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids with Penguin Books.
At the UN DPPA Innovation Cell, innovation goes beyond technology. We integrate design thinking, foresight, behavioral science, AI and digital tools to strengthen political analysis, dialogue, and decision-making in the field of peace and security.
Celebrating World Creativity and Innovation Week in April 2025, the UN DPPA Innovation Cell presents a short film offering a glimpse into a different kind of innovation—one rooted in human-centered design, political insight, and creative problem-solving. In a world of growing complexity, the Cell brings together foresight, behavioral science, AI, and digital tools to support conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding. This video invites viewers into the Cell’s unique approach, where imagination, data, and diplomacy meet to shape more adaptive and inclusive responses to global challenges.
Produced by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN DPPA)Innovation Cell.
https://dppa.un.org/en/innovation
https://futuringpeace.org/
Exposure to high levels of the body’s primary stress hormone – cortisol – in preterm fetuses can disrupt normal heart development, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in later life.
That’s the finding from a new study led by the University of South Australia (UniSA), showing that elevated cortisol levels in preterm lambs significantly alters molecules that control proper heart development.
The findings, published in Experimental Physiology, offer vital insights into how early life stress may influence heart health in later life and could help inform how corticosteroids are used in pregnancy.
Lead author Professor Janna Morrison, Head of the Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group at UniSA, says preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
“Our research sought to understand how cortisol – whether naturally elevated or via synthetic versions of cortisol to promote lung development – affects the developing cardiovascular system in preterm fetuses,” Prof Morrison says.
“We know that cortisol rises naturally in late pregnancy and plays a critical role in maturing fetal organs in preparation for birth, but we did not know how crucial molecules involved in heart development were impacted by cortisol in the preterm period.
“When cortisol levels rise too early – either due to maternal stress or medical intervention – it may accelerate heart development in ways that aren’t entirely beneficial, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease many years later.”
Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, obesity and placental insufficiency can lead to a premature increase in cortisol concentrations earlier in gestation that impacts the developing fetus.
To mimic the cortisol levels that are normal in late gestation, researchers administered cortisol to preterm sheep fetuses over seven days and then studied the impact on signalling molecules in the heart.
The results showed significant changes in the heart’s molecular structure.
“We found that elevated levels of cortisol during early heart development disrupt key cardiac pathways by suppressing glucocorticoid receptors and altering molecular signals involved in growth, energy metabolism, and cardio-protection,” says co-author UniSA researcher Dr Reza Amanollahi.
“These disruptions may leave the premature heart more susceptible to cardiovascular instability. Given the close similarities between sheep and human heart development, our findings raise important concerns that prenatal stress could also compromise heart health in preterm human infants.”
Co-lead on the project, Dr Mitchell Lock, says that while antenatal corticosteroids remain critical for improving survival, our research highlights the importance of closely monitoring their use in pregnancy.
“We hope these findings will also help refine the clinical care of preterm babies to support better long-term outcomes.”
A video discussing the findings is available here.
Notes for editors
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death worldwide and several risk factors such as age, pre-existing conditions and lifestyle contribute to its disease burden. This study explores the causes from a different angle: the influence of stress hormones when the heart is developing in the fetus.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Powering Britain’s future: Electricity bills to be slashed for over 7,000 businesses in major industry shake-up
Industrial Strategy sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business
Electricity costs for thousands of businesses to be slashed by up to 25%.
New Industrial Strategy to unlock billions in investment and support 1.1 million new well-paid jobs over the next decade.
Strategy developed in partnership with business, marking a new era of collaboration between government and high growth industries.
Strategy will make the UK the best country to invest in and grow a business, delivering on the Plan for Change.
More than 7,000 British businesses are set to see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027, as the Government unveils its bold new Industrial Strategy today [Monday 23 June].
The modern Industrial Strategy sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business by tackling two of the biggest barriers facing UK industry – high electricity prices and long waits for grid connections.
British manufacturers currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the developed world while businesses looking to expand or modernise have faced delays when it comes to connecting to the grid.
For too long these challenges have held back growth and made it harder for British firms to compete. Today’s announcement marks a decisive shift — with government stepping in to support industry and unlock the UK’s economic potential.
From 2027, the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour for over 7,000 electricity-intensive businesses in manufacturing sectors like automotive, aerospace and chemicals.
These firms, which support over 300,000 skilled jobs, will be exempt from paying levies such as the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market — helping level the playing field and make them more internationally competitive. Eligibility and further details on the exemptions will be determined following consultation, which will be launched shortly.
The government is also increasing support for the most energy-intensive firms — like steel, chemicals, and glass — by covering more of the electricity network charges they normally have to pay through the British Industry Supercharger. These businesses currently get a 60% discount on those charges, but from 2026, that will increase to 90%. This means their electricity bills will go down, helping them stay competitive, protect jobs, and invest in the future.
This will help around 500 eligible businesses in sectors such as steel, ceramics and glass reduce their costs and protect jobs in industries that are the backbone of our economy and will be delivered at no additional cost to the taxpayer.
These reforms complement the government’s long-term mission for clean power, which is the only way to bring down bills for good by ending the UK’s dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets.
To ensure businesses can grow and hire without delay, the government will also deliver a new Connections Accelerator Service to streamline grid access for major investment projects — including prioritising those that create high-quality jobs and deliver significant economic benefits.
We will work closely with the energy sector, local authorities, Welsh and Scottish Governments, trade unions, and industry to design this service, which we expect to begin operating at the end of 2025. New powers in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, currently before parliament, could also allow the Government to reserve grid capacity for strategically important projects, cutting waiting times and unlocking growth in key sectors.
The Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan to promote business investment and growth and make it quicker, easier and cheaper to do business in the UK, giving businesses the confidence to invest and create 1.1 million good, well-paid jobs in thriving industries – delivering on this government’s Plan for Change.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
This Industrial Strategy marks a turning point for Britain’s economy and a clear break from the short-termism and sticking plasters of the past.
In an era of global economic instability, it delivers the long term certainty and direction British businesses need to invest, innovate and create good jobs that put more money in people’s pockets as part of the plan for change.
This is how we power Britain’s future – by backing the sectors where we lead, removing the barriers that hold us back, and setting out a clear path to build a stronger economy that works for working people. Our message is clear – Britain is back and open for business.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
The UK has some of the most innovative businesses in the world and our Plan for Change has provided them with the stability they need to grow and for more to be created.
Today’s Industrial Strategy builds on that progress with a ten-year plan to slash barriers to investment. It’ll see billions of pounds for investment and cutting-edge tech, ease energy costs, and upskill the nation. It will ensure the industries that make Britain great can thrive. It will boost our economy and create jobs that put more money in people’s pockets.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
We’ve said from day one Britain is back in business under this government, and the £100 billion of investment we’ve secured in the past year shows our Plan for Change is already delivering for working people.
Our Modern Industrial Strategy will ensure the UK is the best country to invest and do business, delivering economic growth that puts more money in people’s pockets and pays for our NHS, schools and military.
Not only does this Strategy prioritise investment to attract billions for new business sites, cutting-edge research, and better transport links, it will also make our industrial electricity prices more competitive.
Tackling energy costs and fixing skills has been the single biggest ask of us from businesses and the greatest challenge they’ve faced – this government has listened, and now we’re taking the bold action needed. Government and business working hand in hand to make working people better of is what this Government promised and what we will deliver.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
For too long high electricity costs have held back British businesses, as a result of our reliance on gas sold on volatile international markets.
As part of our modern industrial strategy we’re unlocking the potential of British industry by slashing industrial electricity prices in key sectors.
We’re also doubling down on our clean power strengths with increased investment in growth industries from offshore wind to nuclear. This will deliver on our clean power mission and Plan for Change to bring down bills for households and businesses for good.
The Supercharger and British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will be funded through reforms to the energy system. The government is reducing costs within the system to free up funding without raising household bills or taxes and intends to also use additional funds from the strengthening of UK carbon pricing, including as a result of linking with the EU carbon market.
We have set out an intention to link emissions trading systems, as part of our new agreement with the European Union to support British businesses. Without an agreement to do this, British industry would have to pay the EU’s carbon tax.
We intend to link our carbon pricing system with the EU’s, we will ensure that money stays in the UK—which allows us to support British companies and British jobs through these schemes.
Building on the Spending Review and the recently announced 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, the Industrial Strategy is the latest step forward in our plans to deliver national renewal. It will include targeted support for the areas of the country and economy that have the greatest potential to grow, while introducing reforms that will make it easier for all businesses to get ahead.
The Strategy’s bold plan of action includes:
Slash electricity costs by up to 25% from 2027 for electricity-intensive manufacturers in our growth sectors and foundational industries in their supply chain, bringing costs more closely in line with other major economies in Europe.
Unlocking billions in finance for innovative business, especially for SMEs by increasing British Business Bank financial capacity to £25.6 billion, crowding in tens of billions of pounds more in private capital. The includes an additional £4bn for Industrial Strategy Sectors, crowding in billions more in private capital. By investing largely through venture funds, the BBB will back the UK’s most high-growth potential companies.
Upskilling the nation with an extra £1.2 billion each year for skills by 2028-29, and delivering more opportunities to learn and earn in our high-growth sectors including new short courses in relevant skills funded by the Growth and Skills Levy and skills packages targeted at defence digital and engineering.
Reducing regulatory burdens by cutting the administrative costs of regulation for business by 25% and reduce the number of regulators.
Supporting 5,500 more SMEs to adopt new technology through the Made Smarter programme while centralising government support in one place through the Business Growth Service.
Boosting R&D spending to £22.6bn per year by 2029-30 to drive innovation across the IS-8, with more than £2bn for AI over the Spending Review, and £2.8bn for advanced manufacturing over the next ten years. This will leverage in billions more from private investors. Regulatory changes will further clear the path for fast-growing industries and innovative products such as biotechnology, AI, and autonomous vehicles.
Attracting elite global talent to our key sectors, via visa and migration reforms and the new Global Talent Taskforce.
Deepening economic and industrial collaboration with our partners, building on our Industrial Strategy Partnership with Japan and recent deals with the US, India, and the EU.
Reducing planning timelines and cutting costs for developers, by hiring more planners, streamlining pre-application requirements and combining environmental obligations, removing burdens on businesses as well as accelerating house building.
Revolutionising public procurement and reducing barriers for new entrants and SMEs to bolster domestic competitiveness.
Supporting the UK’s city regions and clusters by increasing the supply of investible sites through a new £600m Strategic Sites Accelerator, enhanced regional support from the Office for Investment, National Wealth Fund, and British Business Bank, and more.
The plan focuses on 8 sectors where the UK is already strong and there’s potential for faster growth: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional and Business Services. Each growth sector has a bespoke 10-year plan that will attract investment, enable growth and create high-quality, well-paid jobs.
Dame Clare Barclay DBE, Chair of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council and President of Enterprise & Industry EMEA at Microsoft said:
I welcome today’s Industrial Strategy, which sets out a clear plan to back the UK’s growth driving sectors. It is particularly positive to see the strong focus on skills in areas such as engineering, technology and defence. Commitments such as £187 million for the TechFirst programme will ensure the UK has the skills it needs to support our growth industries and seize transformative opportunities like AI.
Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive, CBI said:
Today’s Industrial Strategy announcement is a significant leap forward in the partnership between government and business that sets us on the path to our shared goal of raising living standards across the country.
It sends an unambiguous, positive signal about the nation’s global calling card as well as the direction of travel for the wider economy for the next decade and beyond.
The CBI has long been advocating for a comprehensive industrial strategy, based on the UK’s USP – the sectors and markets where we can compete to win on the global stage.
More competitive energy prices, fast-tracked planning decisions and backing innovation will provide a bedrock for growth. But the global race to attract investment will require a laser-like and unwavering focus on the UK’s overall competitiveness.
Today marks the beginning of delivering this strategy in close partnership, at pace, and with a shared purpose.
Stephen Phipson CBE, CEO at Make UK said:
British industry has been in desperate need for a government who understands our sector and had the strategic vision for a plan for growth. Today’s Industrial Strategy is a giant and much needed step forward taken by the Secretary of State who has seen the potential and provided the keys to help unlock it.
Make UK has led the campaign for a new industrial strategy for many years, highlighting the three major challenges that were diminishing our competitiveness, hampering growth and frustrating productivity gains: a skills crisis, crippling energy costs and, an inability to access capital for new British innovators.
The strategy announced today sets out plans to address all three of these structural failings. Clearly there is much to do as we move towards implementation but, this will send a message across the Country and around the world that Britain is back in business.
Tufan Erginbilgic, Rolls-Royce CEO, said:
The UK Government’s Industrial Strategy commitment to support our world-leading aerospace and nuclear industries shows long-term strategic foresight. Rolls-Royce’s highly differentiated technologies in gas turbines and nuclear capabilities- including SMRs and AMRs- are uniquely placed to deliver economic growth, skilled jobs and attract investment into the UK.
Mike Hawes OBE, SMMT Chief Executive said:
The publication of an Industrial Strategy – one with automotive at its heart – is the policy framework the sector has long-sought and Government has now addressed. Such a strategy – long-term, aligned to a trade strategy and supported by all of Government – is the basis on which the UK automotive sector can regain its global competitiveness. Making the UK the best place to invest now depends on implementation, and implementation at pace, because investment decisions are being made now against a backdrop of fierce competition and geopolitical uncertainty. The number one priority must be addressing the UK’s high cost of energy, enabling the sector to invest in the technologies, the products and the people that will give the UK its competitive edge.
Five sector plans have been published today:
Advanced Manufacturing – Backing our Advanced Manufacturing sector with up to £4.3 billion in funding, including up to £2.8 billion in R&D over the next five years, with the aim of anchoring supply chains in the UK – from increasing vehicle production to 1.35 million, to leading the next generation of technologies for zero emission flight.
Clean Energy Industries – Doubling investment in Clean Energy Industries by 2035, with Great British Energy helping to build the clean power revolution in Britain with a further £700 million in clean energy supply chains, taking the total funding for the Great British Energy Supply Chain fund to £1 billion.
Creative Industries – Maximizing the value of our Creative Industries through a £380 million boost for film and TV, video games, advertising and marketing, music and visual and performing arts will improve access to finance for scale-ups and increase R&D, skills and exports.
Digital and Technologies – Making the UK the European leader for creating and scaling Digital and Technology businesses, with more than £2 billion to drive the AI Action Plan, including a new Sovereign AI Programme, £187 million for training one million young people in tech skills and targeting R&D investment at frontier technologies such as cyber security in Northern Ireland, semiconductors in Wales and quantum technologies in Scotland.
Professional and Business Services – Ensuring our Professional and Business Services becomes the world’s most trusted adviser to global industry, revolutionising the sector across the world through adoption of UK-grown AI and working to secure mutual recognition of professional qualifications agreements overseas.
Notes to editors
The Industrial Strategy will be published on Gov.UK tomorrow.
The Defence, Financial Services and Life Sciences sector plans will be published shortly.
The 7000 businesses are an indicative estimate of how many businesses could be in scope of the scheme. The full scope and eligibility of the scheme will be determined following consultation.
The Government is enabling more tāmariki access to full immersion learning in safe, warm and dry classrooms.
A $28 million investment will deliver 20 new classrooms across four Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education kura and the commencement of a permanent site for a kura north of Auckland – Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki. The announcement was made at Takaparawhau, Bastion Point, during Matariki Hautapu celebrations with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
“This Matariki, I am proud to be celebrating the Māori New Year with investing in the future of our tāmariki so they have the spaces and support they need to flourish,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
The new classrooms will be built at the following kura:
8 classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Whanui in Lower Hutt
6 classrooms at Te Wharekura o Arowhenua in Invercargill
4 classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hokianga in Kaikohe
2 classrooms at Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa in Hamilton
The investment includes the first stage of a long-awaited new school for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki in Kaiwaka. Once complete, it will have 19 classrooms and be designed to support future Wharekura expansion.
Construction on these projects is expected to begin within the next 12 months, using modular building methods to accelerate delivery and ensure cost-efficiency.
“Safe, warm and dry learning environments are essential for effective teaching and learning. By using modular construction, we can deliver classrooms more quickly and make our investment go further.”
This Government committed $50 million through Budget 2025 to deliver up to 50 classrooms for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education for approximately 1,100 ākonga. This is part of a wider programme of investment in Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education.
This includes:
$10 million to launch a new Virtual Learning Network (VLN) for STEM education (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics).
$4.5 million to develop comprehensive new te reo matatini and STEM curriculum resources and teacher supports.
$2.1 million to develop a new Māori Studies subject for Years 11–13.
$14 million into training and support for up to 51,000 teachers/kaiako.
$4.8 million to appoint seven new curriculum advisors for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education.
$4.1 million to support the sustainability and data capability of the Kōhanga Reo Network.
$3.5 million to support WAI 3310 Waitangi Tribunal Education Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry.
“We remain committed to properly resourcing our bilingual education system and lifting achievement for Māori students. That includes ensuring our tāmariki have warm, safe and dry classrooms to thrive in,” Ms Stanford says.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney
Unexpected severe turbulence injured crew and passengers on a Qantas Boeing 737 during descent at Brisbane on May 4 2024. The subsequent Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation suggested the severity of the turbulence caught the captain by surprise.
This is not an isolated event. Thunderstorms featuring severe wind gusts such as violent updrafts and downbursts are hazardous to aircraft. Downbursts in particular have been known to cause many serious accidents.
Our new research suggests global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of wind gusts from thunderstorm “downbursts”, with serious consequences for air travel.
We used machine learning techniques to identify the climate drivers causing more thunderstorm downbursts. Increased heat and moisture over eastern Australia turned out to be the key ingredients.
The findings suggest air safety authorities and airlines in eastern Australia must be more vigilant during takeoff and landing in a warming world.
The weather radar system on a 737 jet plane can detect a microburst just before it causes heavy turbulence. Qantas, annotated by the ATSB
Warm, moist air spells trouble for planes
Global warming increases the amount of water vapour in the lower atmosphere. That’s because 1°C of warming allows the atmosphere to hold 7% more water vapour.
The extra moisture typically comes from adjacent warmer seas. It evaporates from the surface of the ocean and feeds clouds.
Increased heat and water vapour fuels stronger thunderstorms. So climate change is expected to increase thunderstorm activity over eastern Australia
For aircraft, the main problem with thunderstorms is the risk of hazardous, rapid changes in wind strength and direction at low levels.
Small yet powerful
Small downbursts, several kilometres wide, are especially dangerous. These “microbursts” can cause abrupt changes in wind gust speed and direction, creating turbulence that suddenly moves the plane in all directions, both horizontally and vertically.
On descent or ascent, aircraft encountering microbursts can experience sudden, unexpected losses or gains in altitude. This has caused numerous aircraft accidentsin the past. Microbursts will become increasingly problematic in a warming climate.
Delta Flight 191 is the most famous aviation accident caused by a microburst | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation
Microburst analysis and prediction
Microbursts are very difficult to predict, because they are so small. So we used machine learning to identify the environmental factors most conducive to the formation of microbursts and associated severe wind gusts.
We accessed observational data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s extensive archives. Then we applied eight different machine learning techniques to find the one that worked best.
Machine learning is a field of study in artificial intelligence using algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn from data without explicit programming. It enables systems to identify patterns, make predictions and improve performance over time as they take in more information.
We found atmospheric conditions in eastern Australia are increasingly favouring the development of stronger, more frequent thunderstorm microbursts.
Regional airports in Australia and around the world often use small aircraft. Small planes with 4–50 passenger seats are more vulnerable to the strong, even extreme, wind gusts spawned by thunderstorm microbursts.
Widespread consequences
Our extensive regional case study identified the weather patterns that create severe thunderstorms in eastern Australia during the warmer months.
High cloud water content creates a [downward force] [https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/11215] in the cloud. This force induces a descending air current. When the heavier air reaches the ground, wind gusts spray out in multiple directions.
A small yet powerful downburst can deflect a plane from it’s intended path of descent, pushing it down towards the ground. Mehmood, K., et al (2023) Fluids., CC BY
These wind gusts endanger aircraft during takeoff and landing, because rapid wind shifts from tail winds to head winds can cause the aircraft to dangerously gain or lose altitude.
Our analysis highlights the elevated aviation risks of increased atmospheric turbulence from thunderstorm microbursts across eastern Australia.
Smaller aircraft at inland regional airports in southeastern Australia are especially vulnerable. But these sudden microburst-generated wind gusts will require monitoring by major east coast airports, such as Sydney and Brisbane.
Beware of heightened microburst activity
Flying has long been recognised as a very safe mode of travel, with an accident rate of just 1.13 per million flights.
However, passenger numbers worldwide have increased dramatically, implying even a small risk increase could affect a large number of travellers.
Previous research into climate-related risks to air travel has tended to focus on high-altitude cruising dangers, such as clear air turbulence and jet stream instability. In contrast, there has been less emphasis on dangers during low-level ascent and descent.
Our research is among the first to detail the heightened climate risk to airlines from thunderstorm microbursts, especially during takeoff and landing. Airlines and air safety authorities should anticipate more strong microbursts. More frequent wind gust turbulence from microbursts is to be expected over eastern Australia, in our ongoing warming climate.
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: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney
Unexpected severe turbulence injured crew and passengers on a Qantas Boeing 737 during descent at Brisbane on May 4 2024. The subsequent Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation suggested the severity of the turbulence caught the captain by surprise.
This is not an isolated event. Thunderstorms featuring severe wind gusts such as violent updrafts and downbursts are hazardous to aircraft. Downbursts in particular have been known to cause many serious accidents.
Our new research suggests global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of wind gusts from thunderstorm “downbursts”, with serious consequences for air travel.
We used machine learning techniques to identify the climate drivers causing more thunderstorm downbursts. Increased heat and moisture over eastern Australia turned out to be the key ingredients.
The findings suggest air safety authorities and airlines in eastern Australia must be more vigilant during takeoff and landing in a warming world.
The weather radar system on a 737 jet plane can detect a microburst just before it causes heavy turbulence. Qantas, annotated by the ATSB
Warm, moist air spells trouble for planes
Global warming increases the amount of water vapour in the lower atmosphere. That’s because 1°C of warming allows the atmosphere to hold 7% more water vapour.
The extra moisture typically comes from adjacent warmer seas. It evaporates from the surface of the ocean and feeds clouds.
Increased heat and water vapour fuels stronger thunderstorms. So climate change is expected to increase thunderstorm activity over eastern Australia
For aircraft, the main problem with thunderstorms is the risk of hazardous, rapid changes in wind strength and direction at low levels.
Small yet powerful
Small downbursts, several kilometres wide, are especially dangerous. These “microbursts” can cause abrupt changes in wind gust speed and direction, creating turbulence that suddenly moves the plane in all directions, both horizontally and vertically.
On descent or ascent, aircraft encountering microbursts can experience sudden, unexpected losses or gains in altitude. This has caused numerous aircraft accidentsin the past. Microbursts will become increasingly problematic in a warming climate.
Delta Flight 191 is the most famous aviation accident caused by a microburst | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation
Microburst analysis and prediction
Microbursts are very difficult to predict, because they are so small. So we used machine learning to identify the environmental factors most conducive to the formation of microbursts and associated severe wind gusts.
We accessed observational data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s extensive archives. Then we applied eight different machine learning techniques to find the one that worked best.
Machine learning is a field of study in artificial intelligence using algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn from data without explicit programming. It enables systems to identify patterns, make predictions and improve performance over time as they take in more information.
We found atmospheric conditions in eastern Australia are increasingly favouring the development of stronger, more frequent thunderstorm microbursts.
Regional airports in Australia and around the world often use small aircraft. Small planes with 4–50 passenger seats are more vulnerable to the strong, even extreme, wind gusts spawned by thunderstorm microbursts.
Widespread consequences
Our extensive regional case study identified the weather patterns that create severe thunderstorms in eastern Australia during the warmer months.
High cloud water content creates a [downward force] [https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/11215] in the cloud. This force induces a descending air current. When the heavier air reaches the ground, wind gusts spray out in multiple directions.
A small yet powerful downburst can deflect a plane from it’s intended path of descent, pushing it down towards the ground. Mehmood, K., et al (2023) Fluids., CC BY
These wind gusts endanger aircraft during takeoff and landing, because rapid wind shifts from tail winds to head winds can cause the aircraft to dangerously gain or lose altitude.
Our analysis highlights the elevated aviation risks of increased atmospheric turbulence from thunderstorm microbursts across eastern Australia.
Smaller aircraft at inland regional airports in southeastern Australia are especially vulnerable. But these sudden microburst-generated wind gusts will require monitoring by major east coast airports, such as Sydney and Brisbane.
Beware of heightened microburst activity
Flying has long been recognised as a very safe mode of travel, with an accident rate of just 1.13 per million flights.
However, passenger numbers worldwide have increased dramatically, implying even a small risk increase could affect a large number of travellers.
Previous research into climate-related risks to air travel has tended to focus on high-altitude cruising dangers, such as clear air turbulence and jet stream instability. In contrast, there has been less emphasis on dangers during low-level ascent and descent.
Our research is among the first to detail the heightened climate risk to airlines from thunderstorm microbursts, especially during takeoff and landing. Airlines and air safety authorities should anticipate more strong microbursts. More frequent wind gust turbulence from microbursts is to be expected over eastern Australia, in our ongoing warming climate.
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: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick William Smith, Associate Investigator in Nutritional Science, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
The latest update to the New Zealand food composition database, a comprehensive collection of nutrient data collated jointly by Plant & Food Research and the Ministry of Health, brings more than just numbers: it adds insights into culturally important foods and their role in diets.
For the first time, certain traditional foods such as rēwena (Māori bread) and ingredients such as natto, paneer, jackfruit and lentils are included. Alongside these are modern supermarket staples, including lactose-free yoghurts and dairy-free cheeses.
As New Zealand’s population continues to diversify and people’s food choices evolve, the database is keeping pace, ensuring everyone’s plate is represented. The latest update introduces 191 new or updated food records, each with a detailed list of all nutrients, from a wide range of culturally relevant, plant-based and speciality diet foods. These include:
traditional Māori foods such as rēwena
ethnic staples, including natto, paneer, black beans
high-protein yoghurts, dairy-free cheeses and lactose-free options, reflecting market trends.
New Zealanders’ changing food habits
New Zealand’s population is becoming more ethnically diverse. The 2023 census shows nearly a third of New Zealand residents were born overseas and the population of people with Asian ethnicity is the fastest growing in the country. Our supermarkets and food services reflect these changes in their offering.
At the same time, demand is growing for plant-based options, allergen-friendly foods and products tailored to different dietary needs. The database update captures these shifts, offering data on foods that might previously have been overlooked or underestimated.
For example, including rēwena means nutrition professionals working with Māori communities or individuals can offer tailored advice using culturally relevant foods. Including natto or paneer gives dietitians more information to support New Zealanders of Asian or Indian heritage.
Rēwena includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads. Shutterstock/EQRoy
The newly added foods weren’t chosen at random. They reflect real changes in the way New Zealanders eat, informed by surveys that reflect the quantities of foods consumed and also how important they are for delivering essential nutrients. The additions also capture new products available in supermarkets or significant changes in recipes.
Foods are collected from around the country to represent our geographically spread population. They are then sent for independent lab analysis to quantify their content of macro (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) and micronutrients (minerals and vitamins).
Including new foods ensures the database stays relevant for a modern, multicultural population and provides accurate nutrition information for consumers, healthcare providers, food businesses and researchers. This facilitates future national surveys to more accurately capture the diversity of New Zealand diets and their implications for population nutrition.
Where these new foods sit in a healthy diet
With the addition of 74 new food components, including detailed profiles of fatty acids and a new method for measuring dietary fibre, the database doesn’t just tell us what is in our food, but also how these foods contribute to nutrition.
Many of the newly included foods are rich in protein, dietary fibre or plant-based nutrients. This is true for rēwena, which includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads. Black beans and lentils are affordable sources of protein and iron, while jackfruit offers a low-fat, meat-like texture for vegetarian meals.
The database is reviewed and updated every two years to reflect what people are actually eating. With 2,857 foods and 434 nutrient components now in the system, it offers an unparalleled window into New Zealand’s food supply and provides information to support national nutrition surveys and dietary intake studies.
The data also supports educational resources, such as those produced by organisations that encourage New Zealanders to eat fruits and vegetables.
The food composition database is New Zealand’s most comprehensive source of high-quality nutrient data. It is used by researchers, the food industry, public health agencies and regulators to develop and reformulate products, create accurate nutrition labels, model dietary trends and monitor how changing food habits affect nutrition.
Nick William Smith works for Plant & Food Research.
Carolyn Elizabeth Lister 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: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick William Smith, Associate Investigator in Nutritional Science, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
The latest update to the New Zealand food composition database, a comprehensive collection of nutrient data collated jointly by Plant & Food Research and the Ministry of Health, brings more than just numbers: it adds insights into culturally important foods and their role in diets.
For the first time, certain traditional foods such as rēwena (Māori bread) and ingredients such as natto, paneer, jackfruit and lentils are included. Alongside these are modern supermarket staples, including lactose-free yoghurts and dairy-free cheeses.
As New Zealand’s population continues to diversify and people’s food choices evolve, the database is keeping pace, ensuring everyone’s plate is represented. The latest update introduces 191 new or updated food records, each with a detailed list of all nutrients, from a wide range of culturally relevant, plant-based and speciality diet foods. These include:
traditional Māori foods such as rēwena
ethnic staples, including natto, paneer, black beans
high-protein yoghurts, dairy-free cheeses and lactose-free options, reflecting market trends.
New Zealanders’ changing food habits
New Zealand’s population is becoming more ethnically diverse. The 2023 census shows nearly a third of New Zealand residents were born overseas and the population of people with Asian ethnicity is the fastest growing in the country. Our supermarkets and food services reflect these changes in their offering.
At the same time, demand is growing for plant-based options, allergen-friendly foods and products tailored to different dietary needs. The database update captures these shifts, offering data on foods that might previously have been overlooked or underestimated.
For example, including rēwena means nutrition professionals working with Māori communities or individuals can offer tailored advice using culturally relevant foods. Including natto or paneer gives dietitians more information to support New Zealanders of Asian or Indian heritage.
Rēwena includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads. Shutterstock/EQRoy
The newly added foods weren’t chosen at random. They reflect real changes in the way New Zealanders eat, informed by surveys that reflect the quantities of foods consumed and also how important they are for delivering essential nutrients. The additions also capture new products available in supermarkets or significant changes in recipes.
Foods are collected from around the country to represent our geographically spread population. They are then sent for independent lab analysis to quantify their content of macro (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) and micronutrients (minerals and vitamins).
Including new foods ensures the database stays relevant for a modern, multicultural population and provides accurate nutrition information for consumers, healthcare providers, food businesses and researchers. This facilitates future national surveys to more accurately capture the diversity of New Zealand diets and their implications for population nutrition.
Where these new foods sit in a healthy diet
With the addition of 74 new food components, including detailed profiles of fatty acids and a new method for measuring dietary fibre, the database doesn’t just tell us what is in our food, but also how these foods contribute to nutrition.
Many of the newly included foods are rich in protein, dietary fibre or plant-based nutrients. This is true for rēwena, which includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads. Black beans and lentils are affordable sources of protein and iron, while jackfruit offers a low-fat, meat-like texture for vegetarian meals.
The database is reviewed and updated every two years to reflect what people are actually eating. With 2,857 foods and 434 nutrient components now in the system, it offers an unparalleled window into New Zealand’s food supply and provides information to support national nutrition surveys and dietary intake studies.
The data also supports educational resources, such as those produced by organisations that encourage New Zealanders to eat fruits and vegetables.
The food composition database is New Zealand’s most comprehensive source of high-quality nutrient data. It is used by researchers, the food industry, public health agencies and regulators to develop and reformulate products, create accurate nutrition labels, model dietary trends and monitor how changing food habits affect nutrition.
Nick William Smith works for Plant & Food Research.
Carolyn Elizabeth Lister 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: The Conversation – USA – By Jeffrey Fields, Professor of the Practice of International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
People observe fire and smoke from an Israeli airstrike on an oil depot in Tehran, Iran, on June 15, 2025. Stringer/Getty Images
The two countries have been particularly hostile to each other since Iranian students took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979, resulting in economic sanctions and the severing of formal diplomatic relations between the nations.
Some of the major events in U.S.-Iran relations highlight the differences between the nations’ views, but others arguably presented real opportunities for reconciliation.
In 1951, the Iranian Parliament chose a new prime minister, Mossadegh, who then led lawmakers to vote in favor of taking over the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, expelling the company’s British owners and saying they wanted to turn oil profits into investments in the Iranian people. The U.S. feared disruption in the global oil supply and worried about Iran falling prey to Soviet influence. The British feared the loss of cheap Iranian oil.
President Dwight Eisenhower decided it was best for the U.S. and the U.K. to get rid of Mossadegh. Operation Ajax, a joint CIA-British operation, convinced the Shah of Iran, the country’s monarch, to dismiss Mossadegh and drive him from office by force. Mossadegh was replaced by a much more Western-friendly prime minister, handpicked by the CIA.
Demonstrators in Tehran demand the establishment of an Islamic republic. AP Photo/Saris
1979: Revolutionaries oust the shah, take hostages
After more than 25 years of relative stability in U.S.-Iran relations, the Iranian public had grown unhappy with the social and economic conditions that developed under the dictatorial rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Iranian students at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran show a blindfolded American hostage to the crowd in November 1979. AP Photo
In October 1979, President Jimmy Carter agreed to allow the shah to come to the U.S. to seek advanced medical treatment. Outraged Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, taking 52 Americans hostage. That convinced Carter to sever U.S. diplomatic relations with Iran on April 7, 1980.
Two weeks later, the U.S. military launched a mission to rescue the hostages, but it failed, with aircraft crashes killing eight U.S. servicemembers.
The shah died in Egypt in July 1980, but the hostages weren’t released until Jan. 20, 1981, after 444 days of captivity.
An Iranian cleric, left, and an Iranian soldier wear gas masks to protect themselves against Iraqi chemical-weapons attacks in May 1988. Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images
The U.S. was concerned that the conflict would limit the flow of Middle Eastern oil and wanted to ensure the conflict didn’t affect its close ally, Saudi Arabia.
U.S. officials moderated their usual opposition to those illegal and inhumane weapons because the U.S. State Department did not “wish to play into Iran’s hands by fueling its propaganda against Iraq.” In 1988, the war ended in a stalemate. More than 500,000 military and 100,000 civilians died.
1981-1986: US secretly sells weapons to Iran
The U.S. imposed an arms embargo after Iran was designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1984. That left the Iranian military, in the middle of its war with Iraq, desperate for weapons and aircraft and vehicle parts to keep fighting.
The last shipment, of anti-tank missiles, was in October 1986. In November 1986, a Lebanese magazine exposed the deal. That revelation sparked the Iran-Contra scandal in the U.S., with Reagan’s officials found to have collected money from Iran for the weapons and illegally sent those funds to anti-socialist rebels – the Contras – in Nicaragua.
At a mass funeral for 76 of the 290 people killed in the shootdown of Iran Air 655, mourners hold up a sign depicting the incident. AP Photo/CP/Mohammad Sayyad
Either during or just after that exchange of gunfire, the Vincennes crew mistook a passing civilian Airbus passenger jet for an Iranian F-14 fighter. They shot it down, killing all 290 people aboard.
The U.S. called it a “tragic and regrettable accident,” but Iran believed the plane’s downing was intentional. In 1996, the U.S. agreed to pay US$131.8 million in compensation to Iran.
1997-1998: The US seeks contact
In August 1997, a moderate reformer, Mohammad Khatami, won Iran’s presidential election.
U.S. President Bill Clinton sensed an opportunity. He sent a message to Tehran through the Swiss ambassador there, proposing direct government-to-government talks.
Shortly thereafter, in early January 1998, Khatami gave an interview to CNN in which he expressed “respect for the great American people,” denounced terrorism and recommended an “exchange of professors, writers, scholars, artists, journalists and tourists” between the United States and Iran.
However, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei didn’t agree, so not much came of the mutual overtures as Clinton’s time in office came to an end.
In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush characterized Iran, Iraq and North Korea as constituting an “Axis of Evil” supporting terrorism and pursuing weapons of mass destruction, straining relations even further.
Inside these buildings at the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran, technicians enrich uranium. AP Photo/Vahid Salemi
That was a violation of the terms of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which Iran had signed, requiring countries to disclose their nuclear-related facilities to international inspectors.
One of those formerly secret locations, Natanz, housed centrifuges for enriching uranium, which could be used in civilian nuclear reactors or enriched further for weapons.
Starting in roughly 2005, U.S. and Israeli government cyberattackers together reportedly targeted the Natanz centrifuges with a custom-made piece of malicious software that became known as Stuxnet.
An excerpt of the document sent from Iran, via the Swiss government, to the U.S. State Department in 2003, appears to seek talks between the U.S. and Iran. Washington Post via Scribd
In May 2003, senior Iranian officials quietly contacted the State Department through the Swiss embassy in Iran, seeking “a dialogue ‘in mutual respect,’” addressing four big issues: nuclear weapons, terrorism, Palestinian resistance and stability in Iraq.
Hardliners in the Bush administration weren’t interested in any major reconciliation, though Secretary of State Colin Powell favored dialogue and other officials had met with Iran about al-Qaida.
When Iranian hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected president of Iran in 2005, the opportunity died. The following year, Ahmadinejad made his own overture to Washington in an 18-page letter to President Bush. The letter was widely dismissed; a senior State Department official told me in profane terms that it amounted to nothing.
After a decade of unsuccessful attempts to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the Obama administration undertook a direct diplomatic approach beginning in 2013.
Iran, the U.S., China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom signed the deal in 2015. It severely limited Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium and mandated that international inspectors monitor and enforce Iran’s compliance with the agreement.
In return, Iran was granted relief from international and U.S. economic sanctions. Though the inspectors regularly certified that Iran was abiding by the agreement’s terms, President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in May 2018.
2020: US drones kill Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani
At the time, the Trump administration asserted that Soleimani was directing an imminent attack against U.S. assets in the region, but officials have not provided clear evidence to support that claim.
Hamas’ brazen attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, provoked a fearsome militarized response from Israel that continues today and served to severely weaken Iran’s proxies in the region, especially Hamas – the perpetrator of the attacks – and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
2025: Trump 2.0 and Iran
Trump saw an opportunity to forge a new nuclear deal with Iran and to pursue other business deals with Tehran. Once inaugurated for his second term, Trump appointed Steve Witkoff, a real estate investor who is the president’s friend, to serve as special envoy for the Middle East and to lead negotiations.
Negotiations for a nuclear deal between Washington and Tehran began in April, but the countries did not reach a deal. They were planning a new round of talks when Israel struck Iran with a series of airstrikes on June 13, forcing the White House to reconsider is position.
On June 22, in the early morning hours, the U.S. chose to act decisively in an attempt to cripple Iran’s nuclear capacity, bombing three nuclear sites and causing what Pentagon officials called “severe damage.” Iran vowed to retaliate.
This story has been updated to reflect the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, 2025.
Jeffrey Fields receives funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Schmidt Futures.
This political support stands in sharp contrast to the many businesses that have reduced or ended their support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community this Pride season.
Multinational corporations like Google, as well as Canadian-owned companies like Molson Coors, have divested from supporting festivals, while Target has scaled back its Pride merchandise due to threats against employees and large-scale conservative backlash.
The impact is already being felt. Pride Toronto is currently facing a $900,000 funding gap. Executive director Kojo Modeste recently told CBC News this corporate divestment appears to be linked to the larger backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Fear of punitive measures
In January, United States President Donald Trump issued an executive order to dismantle DEI initiatives in federal agencies and target private companies that support DEI measures. In the executive order, Trump’s administration called DEI measures and mandates “immoral discrimination programs.”
Major private corporations, including IBM, quickly bent to the pressure of Trump’s anti-DEI orders by gutting their programs and shifting corporate donorship away from “woke” initiatives.
The pressure to comply with anti-DEI measures hasn’t ended with corporations. More recently, Trump has set his sights on the U.S. post-secondary system, freezing US$2.2 million in federal grants and US$60 million in contracts after Harvard University refused to comply with the administration’s demands related to its DEI programs.
Following in the footsteps of the U.S., Alberta’s United Conservative Party membership passed a resolution to eliminate DEI programs and training in the public service. The party has also indicated it will remove government funding from post-secondary institutions that continue to do DEI work.
Declining public support
In addition to the rollback of DEI programs, the ongoing corporate reductions in Pride support are taking place amid increasing anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiment.
A 2024 poll reported that, in Canada, support for 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility — like representation on screens and in sports — is lower than it was in 2021. Compared to previous years, Canadians also expressed less support for transgender rights, and this level of support was lower than the 26 other countries surveyed.
Public attitudes don’t change in a vacuum. They are deeply influenced by hate movements, political rhetoric and the spread of misinformation and disinformation weaponized by politicians and leaders to dehumanize the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, particularly transgender people.
This dehumanization incites fear, violence and support for anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate. It has coincided with companies silently withdrawing their support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Where we live, in Alberta, the provincial government has passed the most draconian anti-trans laws Canada has ever seen. As we (Corinne L. Mason and Leah Hamilton) have previously written, Premier Danielle Smith’s government has unveiled a suite of policies targeting transgender, intersex and gender diverse children and youth in Alberta, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community more broadly.
In this environment of reduced public and political support, it’s not surprising to see companies backing away from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Getting back to Pride’s roots
The fact that companies have quickly backed away from their support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community — by halting production of Pride merchandise or reducing sponsorship in Pride festivals — illustrates the conditionality of their support.
Rather than beg big business to come back to the table, some members of the community are using this moment to reflect on how corporate “Love is Love” campaigns haven’t actually led to increased quality of life or justice for our communities.
Pride Month is rooted in protest and resistance against police violence and systemic oppression. It was led by Black trans women and can be traced back to the Stonewall Riots. Today, Pride still isn’t simply a party and parade.
Authentic ‘rainbow dollars’
In this sociopolitical climate of legislated DEI rollbacks and declining public support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, organizations that want to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community should back up their messaging with meaningful actions and structural support.
Some organizations have shown a commitment to structural support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community from its beginning, including the Northern Super League, the top-division professional women’s soccer league in Canada. The league openly and consistently amplifies and supports its 2SLGBTQIA+ players, coaches, staff and fans. Founded by Diana Matheson, an openly queer woman, the league is founded on inclusion as a core value.
When it comes to creating Pride merchandise, Social Made Local is a queer-owned Canadian apparel company in Saskatoon that focuses on gender-inclusive sizing, sustainability and community. They donate a portion of their sales to Canadian non-profits like Rainbow Railroad.
Companies that want to show their support can spend their rainbow dollars in good faith through actions that meaningfully support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This could include creating programs that support queer entrepreneurs, donating to legal funds that are fighting discriminatory legislation, and partnering with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to amplify their work.
Leah Hamilton receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Corinne L. Mason receives funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Gini (Virginia) Weber 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.
