Tesla and Elon Musk want to lead the global EVs market, despite stiff competition from China. However, that doesn’t mean it’s America’s only proposition going forward. The whole world is on edge with the 15-liter hydrogen engine unveiled in California, which could change everything. A prototype that runs on water (yes, water) and emits only steam has zero emissions and can be refueled in seconds. Sound miraculous? It’s reality, and we’re going to prove it to the planet.

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California unveils 15-liter hydrogen engine: Breaks all records and shatters Tesla EVs (ecoticias.com)

Indigenous Gimuy-Walubara man Jiritju Fourmile conducts a smoking ceremony with members of the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, to celebrate the opening of a new yarning circle at Porton Barracks in Cairns. Photo: Corporal Michael Rogers

The sound of ringing clapsticks and the scent of smouldering eucalyptus floated through a sunny North Queensland afternoon, heralding the start of a new chapter in Cairns.

Members of the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment (51FNQR) celebrated the opening of a new yarning circle at Porton Barracks with a smoking ceremony on July 16. The ceremony was conducted by local Indigenous man Jiritju Fourmile, whose family has ties with the Yarrabah and Cairns area, including a number of soldiers in the battalion.

51FNQR Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Schieb said that with more than 200 Indigenous soldiers in his unit, the circle would be a focal point, especially for new recruits.

“We have a diverse workforce, and one of the important parts of the cultural melting pot that is the battalion is the opportunity for everyone to sit down and have a yarn,” Lieutenant Colonel Schieb said. “Having a yarning circle of our own, here on Porton, gives us a culturally appropriate space where we can work through issues and mix all of our cultural perspectives together.”

51FNQR soldiers constructed a permanent yarning circle during NAIDOC week with the help of 19 Indigenous recruits who were on the barracks in preparation for basic training. Stumps from paperbark trees, which had been felled on the barracks earlier, were used for seats around the circle. Paperbark trees are important to the local Indigenous people, used for making shelters and for medicinal purposes.

The unit plans to have prominent Gimuy-Walubara elder Uncle Henrik Fourmile complete a tree carving near the circle, the traditional way of preserving and passing down stories.

The Government has introduced Australia’s inaugural MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, designated ‘AUS 1’, to be utilized by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). This significant reveal took place at RAAF Base Tindal, led by the Deputy Prime Minister.

The MQ-4C Triton, designed for high-altitude, long-endurance missions, will bolster persistent surveillance across Australia’s maritime zones. This aircraft is set to work in tandem with the ADF’s manned P-8A Poseidon fleet, forming a cohesive ‘family of systems’ to enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in support of Defence operations.

The four MQ-4C Triton aircraft will be stationed at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory and operated by the reestablished No. 9 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.

The MQ-4C Triton project signifies a substantial $900 million investment into the Australian industry, covering facilities construction, network integration, engineering, logistics, component manufacturing, and sustainment services. Part of this investment includes an interim sustainment support contract with Northrop Grumman Australia, valued at approximately $220 million. This contract will generate 110 technical jobs for skilled workers in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM, commented:

• “The MQ-4C Triton will complement our existing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets, significantly improving our patrol capabilities over northern Australia and surrounding maritime regions.”
• “This uncrewed system offers unparalleled persistence and maritime awareness, supporting an integrated, focused force.”
• “Modern payloads and extended endurance of uncrewed aerial systems hold immense potential for operational advancements.”

This significant development underscores the cooperative efforts between the Australian and U.S. defence sectors, highlighting the ongoing commitment to advancing Australia’s defence capabilities.

Australian Defence Force personnel are working side-by-side with state authorities in Western Australia and Queensland from 12 to 28 July 2024 as part of Exercise Austral Shield 2024. Exercise Austral Shield 2024 is designed to exercise the Australian Defence Force’s short-notice response to a domestic security threat. This year Exercise Austral Shield is being held across northern Australia with Australian Army Reserve personnel mobilised at short notice to assist state emergency services in the execution of domestic security response against a simulated domestic threat. Exercises like Austral Shield are an essential part of maintaining an agile and ready force. The Australian Defence Force maintains short notice and specialist capabilities that may be called upon, under Commonwealth direction, to assist the civilian authorities in responding to domestic security threats.

The US military is building infrastructure in northern Australia air bases to help it project power into the South China Sea if a crisis with China erupts, according to tender documents and interviews with US and Australian defence officials.

In an unprecedented move, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has urged NATO to expel Turkey from the alliance following recent threats from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Katz’s call to action has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, as the volatile situation between Israel and Turkey reaches a boiling point.

Katz has wasted no time in rallying international support, instructing Israeli diplomats to urgently engage with NATO members. His demands for Turkey’s condemnation and expulsion come in response to Erdoğan’s recent aggressive rhetoric and threats. “Turkey’s actions and words are unacceptable and threaten regional stability,” Katz said in a press statement. “NATO must take a stand and show that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”

The latest bout of tension was sparked by Erdoğan’s incendiary comments threatening to deploy Turkish military personnel to Gaza. The Turkish president claimed this would demonstrate strength and deter Israeli actions in the region. His statements have ignited fears of a broader regional conflict, drawing widespread condemnation from various international quarters.

Prominent global leaders have voiced their concerns about the escalating situation. Geert Wilders, a well-known and controversial figure in the Dutch House of Representatives, did not mince words, calling Erdoğan an “Islamofascist” and “totally nuts.” Wilders, who has a history of advocating for Turkey’s expulsion from NATO, seized the opportunity to reinforce his stance.

NATO, however, finds itself in a complex predicament. Turkey, a member since 1952, boasts the alliance’s second-largest army, making its expulsion a complicated and unprecedented move. NATO currently lacks a specific mechanism to suspend or expel a member, a fact reiterated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in 2021 when he stated that creating such a mechanism “would never happen.”

Despite the gravity of Israel’s request, NATO’s leadership has remained tight-lipped, offering no immediate response to Katz’s demands. Analysts suggest that any move to expel Turkey could destabilize the alliance and significantly alter the geopolitical landscape of the region.

As tensions between Israel and Turkey continue to mount, the international community watches closely. The situation underscores the delicate balance NATO must maintain among its diverse members, each with its own strategic interests and regional challenges. Israel’s call for action, coupled with Erdoğan’s inflammatory rhetoric, highlights the fragile nature of international alliances and the ever-present risk of conflict in a volatile world.

For now, the world waits to see how NATO will navigate this diplomatic crisis, balancing the principles of the alliance with the pressing need to maintain regional peace and stability.

Newsline – Sarah Whitten

Twelve children died when a rocket, allegedly fired by Hezbollah, hit a soccer field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on July 27. Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese group designated as a terrorist organization by Australia and the U.S., has escalated tensions in the region.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in a joint statement with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Zealand President Christopher Luxon, warned of the risks of escalating hostilities. He emphasized the threat posed by Iranian-backed groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, calling for a ceasefire and peace negotiations.

The U.S. attributed the attack to Hezbollah and condemned it, reinforcing their support for Israel. Efforts are being made for a diplomatic solution along the “Blue Line” to ensure safety for civilians on both sides.

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma expressed sorrow over the loss of life and condemned Hezbollah’s continuous attacks on Israeli civilians. The prime ministers’ joint statement also condemned Iran’s actions and urged for an end to the violence, highlighting the risk to thousands of civilians in Lebanon and Israel.

Ipsos Summery

A new survey reveals that a growing number of Australians believe the shift to renewable energy is negatively affecting energy prices in the country. Ipsos, a global market research firm, has released a report offering insights into Australians’ views on the government’s and political parties’ push for an energy transition.

The survey found that 41 percent of respondents are worried about the transition’s impact on living costs, marking a 10 percent increase since 2022. Additionally, 37 percent and 36 percent of respondents feel the transition is detrimental to the affordability of household energy bills and the reliability of energy supply, up by 7 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

Moreover, the percentage of Australians who want the transition to focus on reducing energy prices and enhancing network reliability has surged by 13 percent compared to the previous survey. There has also been a decline in support for Australia taking a leading role in the energy transition, with only 58 percent of respondents now in favor, down from 64 percent in 2022.

“The current cost-of-living environment is prompting many Australians to reassess the financial impact of the energy transition on their households,” said Stuart Clark, Ipsos Australia’s Public Affairs Director. “This is dampening enthusiasm for Australia to lead the global transition.”

These concerns come amid a notable rise in electricity prices in recent years. Data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission shows that effective prices for residential customers increased by 14 percent between September 2022 and September 2023, following a 13.1 percent rise between September 2021 and September 2022.

For instance, over two-thirds of respondents believe the transition could lead to higher household energy prices, while 58 percent think electric cars are as harmful to the environment as petrol cars. Additionally, half of the respondents feel that building more solar and wind farms is encroaching on valuable agricultural land, and more renewable energy projects could lead to increased blackouts and brownouts.

Sky News

Earlier this week, the Ministry for Defence confirmed that a decision regarding the fate of those accused of war crimes in Afghanistan would be made “before the election” and “soon.” Although the date for the next federal election remains unconfirmed, it is anticipated to occur before May of next year.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles affirmed that a decision on whether to strip medals from Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel would be made prior to the upcoming election. This announcement follows the 2020 Brereton inquiry’s findings, which investigated alleged war crimes committed by ADF members during the Afghanistan war between 2005 and 2016.

Former Chief of the ADF, Angus Campbell, had previously informed current and former ADF members that honours for distinguished and conspicuous service in warlike operations might be rescinded.

“I will be making the decision before the election; I can tell you that. I’ll be making that decision soon,” Deputy PM Marles stated in an interview with Sky News on July 28.

He clarified, “Just to be clear, this is a decision not in relation to the person (Ben Roberts-Smith) that you mentioned, but in relation to those who had command authority. That is a process that I’ve wanted to go through thoroughly to make sure that we get the answers to this right.”

Marles emphasized the thoroughness of the review process, saying, “It is one that has been on my desk and we’ve been going through in an enormous amount of detail, but it won’t be long before we are able to make those decisions and certainly, they’ll be made before the election.”

The United States’ shipbuilding capabilities are significantly behind those of China, highlighting the urgent need for the US Navy to bolster its preparations for a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. This warning was issued by a senior State Department official during a congressional hearing today.

Kurt Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State and former National Security Council senior official, addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, emphasizing the critical gap in shipbuilding between the US and China. “The disparity in shipbuilding is alarming. We must improve in this area to maintain our status as a leading naval power in the 21st century,” Campbell stated.

Having played a key role in developing AUKUS during his tenure at the NSC, Campbell acknowledged the workforce challenges facing American industry and the complexities of collaborating with allies. He noted that the focus on ground forces over the past two decades, due to conflicts in the Middle East, was justified. However, he stressed that any future conflict in the Indo-Pacific would shift the emphasis back to the Navy and Air Force.

“It is now the time for the Navy and Air Force,” Campbell declared. “They must increase investment, innovate, and adopt a more daring approach. The Indo-Pacific demands the most advanced naval and long-range air capabilities the United States has ever required.”

During the same hearing, Campbell was questioned about China’s growing relationship with Russia. He echoed concerns from Pentagon officials regarding Chinese support for Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine and assistance in accessing Arctic resources. However, Campbell urged lawmakers not to underestimate Russia’s role in this partnership, despite the perception that Moscow is becoming increasingly dependent on Beijing.

“China and Russia are vying for influence in North Korea. China is uneasy about some of Russia’s actions there,” he explained. “They are also competing in the Arctic. While this doesn’t signify a rift, it highlights the complex diplomacy at play among these nations.”