"The HESC project is key to both Australia and Japan and our hydrogen industries.

24 January 2022

(See Translation in Arabic Section)

Canberra- - M E Times Int'l:  Australia is exporting the world’s first shipment of liquefied hydrogen, heralding the start of a major new energy export industry.

It will be shipped from Victoria in carrier specially built carrier ready for the super-cooled cargo as part of the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) pilot project.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the project was a world-first that would lead to lower emissions, greater energy production and more local jobs.

“The HESC project is key to both Australia and Japan and our hydrogen industries. In addition to our government’s support for HESC, we have recently established the Australian Clean Hydrogen Trade Program and committed up to $150 million to the first round that will focus on clean hydrogen supply chains with Japan,” Mr Morrison said.

It is estimated the 225,000 tonnes of carbon neutral liquefied hydrogen (LH2) produced by HESC will help reduce global emissions by about 1.8 million tonnes per year or the equivalent of emissions from 350,000 petrol cars.

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the shipment was an important milestone for Australia’s technology-led approach to reducing emissions.

“Not only this, but the HESC project is delivering jobs and economic activity for Victoria, with a clean hydrogen sector potentially able to generate more than $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050,” Mr Taylor said.

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the HESC project combined a number of technology elements, including a new way to use Latrobe Valley coal.

“The HESC project demonstrates the importance that Australian resources, such as local Latrobe Valley coal, will have in development of new low emissions industries,” Mr Pitt said, noting that Australia’s resources and energy exports were estimated to reach $379 billion this financial year.

Ukraine asks Australia to help combat Russian cyber attacks

Ukraine is pressing Australia to provide expanded technical assistance to help repel Russian cyber attacks as fears mount that Russia is on the brink of launching a military invasion.

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated rapidly in recent weeks as Moscow continues its move tens of thousands of troops to border regions.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said she “reaffirmed Australia's steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty” during a phone call with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday.

She also reiterated that Australia was prepared to impose sanctions against Russia.

But Mr Kuleba’s account of the phone call went further, saying he and Ms Payne also “discussed the implementation of a comprehensive package to deter the Russian Federation from further aggression against Ukraine, which includes political, economic and security components.”

He also said Ms Payne had accepted an invitation to visit Ukraine this year, although this has not been confirmed by the Australian government.

Russia's military build-up was also likely to be discussed when Ms Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton meet their UK counterparts Liz Truss and Ben Wallace in Sydney for annual talks this week.

Mr Dutton said the UK had a big role to play deterring Russian military aggression.

“If we’re going to deter countries from aggressive behaviour then we’re best to do that with strong friends and allies and we have that in the UK and the US,” Mr Dutton said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has emphasised no requests had been received for direct military support in the crisis.

“It is obviously a tense situation and it’s one that we will continue to work with our partners in terms of any response … but there has been no request made and none are anticipated,” Mr Morrison said.

All NSW students and teachers to receive COVID-19 tests before school starts

Sydney: The NSW government has announced every student and teacher in the state will be able to receive rapid antigen tests (RATs) for COVID-19 before school returns on February 1.

The COVID-Smart Plan will also include mandatory mask wearing for all staff and high school students, with masks encouraged for children in primary schools.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said supporting students to return safely to the classroom was vital after two years of disruption to their education.

“New COVID-smart measures will help make this happen,” he said, adding that the government was distributing more than 12 million RATs to over 3150 government, non-government schools and early childhood centres.

 “As a parent, I know, many parents across the state are anxious about bringing kids back to school, importantly, though, we can ensure parents and teachers right across New South Wales that we can do so in a safe way,” Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Sunday.

Mr Perrottet said there would be two rapid antigen tests per week for students and teachers.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said testing and masks complemented other measures including the use of air purifiers in classes where required. 

“Activities students love, such as music, school sport and assemblies, will continue with settings in place similar to late last year,” Ms Mitchell said. 

The Association of Independent Schools of NSW Dr Geoff Newcombe said all the school sectors had worked closely together to develop back-to-school arrangements.

“School communities should feel confident about returning for Term 1 under these arrangements, which allow a wide range of activities to proceed with appropriate risk-assessment and planning,” Dr Newcombe said.

Schools will notify families on how and when to collect the RATs for their children.

Meanwhile, more than 80 per cent of children aged 12 to 15 have had their

first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 78 per cent are double-dosed. More than 24 per cent of children aged five to 11 have had their first dose.

Clinical evidence suggests the Omicron variant is less likely to result in serious illness, particularly among children, and that vaccines provide highly effective protection.

French adventurer Jean-Jacques Savin dies rowing solo across Atlantic Ocean

The body of a 75-year-old Frenchman who was attempting to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean has been found at sea.

Jean-Jacques Savin was "found lifeless inside the cabin" off the coast of Azores, an archipelago belonging to Portugal, said a statement posted to Mr Savin's Facebook page by his support team.

"It is with great sadness that we have just learned of the death of our friend Jean-Jacques," it read.

Portuguese maritime authorities had earlier located his vessel and a diver found Mr Savin's body.

"Unfortunately, this time the ocean was stronger than our friend, who loved sailing and the sea so much," the statement said.

Mr Savin had embarked from Portugal's mainland on January 1 and celebrated his 75th birthday on January 14 at sea.

But his team had been unable to contact him since he sent distress signals on Thursday night and Friday local time.

The statement did not provide any further details, adding only that "our thoughts are with his daughter".

Mr Savin completed a trans-Atlantic journey in a barrel-shaped capsule from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean in 2019.

He described that 4,500-kilometre journey, which saw him spend more than 120 days at sea, as "an exhilarating voyage, but also quite risky".

Earlier in life, Mr Savin had been a paratrooper, pilot and worked at a national park in central Africa, according to his website.

He also climbed Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the European Alps, in 2015 and was an avid triathlete.

COVID-19 spread 'slowing in the community' as NSW records 46 deaths

Sydney: NSW health authorities say the spread of COVID-19 is slowing in the community after the state recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic with 46 fatalities.

The number of patients admitted to hospital dropped to 2,743, down from 2,781 in the previous reporting period.

Patients in intensive care also dropped to 209, from 212 yesterday.

Previously, the highest number of deaths recorded in NSW in a single day was 36.

A total of 25,168 new cases were reported in the latest reporting period, with 10,015 coming from rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 15,153 PCR swabs.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said a "variety of indicators" pointed to the spread of the virus slowing in the community.

She said hospitalisations, staff in isolation, absentee data from a wide-range of industries and case positivity rates pointed to declining transmission rates.

"That all gives us a sense that the spread of COVID is slowing and it is pleasing to see and we want to thank the community and acknowledge the actions of everyone in contributing to that," she said.

Dr Chant said seven of today's reported deaths were historical and were added after coronial investigations.

She said investigations were ongoing after reports a two-month-old baby who died in December had tested positive to COVID-19.

"The coroner and the forensic pathologist that has supported the coroner are working very hard to get the answers," she said.

NSW government modelling predicted the Omicron wave would peak this week followed by a stabilisation of hospital numbers.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the state was exceeding expectations despite the pressure being felt by the health system.

"[Today's figures] is below what we were expecting at this point in time and at the best case scenario, we were expecting over 3,000 people in our hospitals with COVID," in said.

"In a worst-case scenario, it was 6,000 people with COVID."

He said ICU figures were also tracking below the best-case scenario figure of 270 and well below the worst-case of 600.

Dr Chant said she expected high death numbers over the coming weeks, due, in part, to a lag in the reporting of cases.

Mr Perrottet said the state government would unveil his return-to-school plan, which was presented to national cabinet yesterday, in "coming days".

Headline acts for NSW Seniors Festival gala concerts announced

Sydney: Christine Anu, Shannon Noll and Phil Burton from Human Nature will lead the line-up for the Premier's Gala Concerts during this year's NSW Seniors Festival.

Minister for Seniors and Multiculturalism Mark Coure said free tickets to the concerts, to be held at ICC Sydney on March 30-31, will be available through Ticketek from 9am on Friday, January 28.

“The NSW Government hosts the Premier's Gala Concerts each year to thank seniors for their contributions to our communities,” Mr Coure said.

"These concerts are hugely popular among our seniors for good reason. They provide a great opportunity for them to enjoy musical and variety acts from some of Australia's favourite artists, as well as have fun and meet new friends.”

The free expo will feature more than 50 exhibitors showcasing the latest in travel, health, lifestyle and services, along with creative workshops and giveaways for all to enjoy.

Mr Coure said the concerts and expo are highlights of the annual NSW Seniors Festival, which this year runs from March 25 to April 3.

Singer Shannon Noll is looking forward to performing at the 2022 Premier’s Gala Concerts.

“Seniors have done so much for ours and future generations. It’s really important to celebrate and support them. Performing at these concerts is my small contribution to giving back to them,” he said.

Tickets can be booked via Ticketek online at www.ticketek.com.au or by phone on 1300 130 613. The concerts will also be live-streamed.

National Cabinet monitors latest COVID-19 developments

Canberra: National Cabinet met on Thursday to discuss its response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, approaches to tests including the use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) and the vaccine rollout and booster program.

Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 1,514,560 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia and 2,841 related deaths. Omicron continues to show greater infectivity than the Delta variant, but with much less severity in terms of hospitalisations, ICU and ventilated patients.

To date, 47 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 332,808 doses in the previous 24 hours. More than 21 per cent of children aged five to 11 have received their first dose of a vaccine in the first 11 days of the children vaccination program. 

More than 5.7 million booster doses have been administered to over 28 per cent of Australians.

National Cabinet received an update from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on approvals for Lagevrio and Paxlovid, the first oral treatments for COVID-19 in Australia. Both anti-viral treatments have been found to be effective in treating people with mild to moderate cases of the disease. 

Use of RATs to detect cases is recommended in residential aged and disability care and healthcare settings. RATs are not routinely recommended to detect cases early for other industries, businesses and organisations. 

State and territory governments will release their operational plans for schools in line with the national framework. As part of these plans, the governments will determine what level of RATs is advised in schools. 

While surveillance testing has not been recommended by Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), states and territories will make their own decisions on the best approach for their circumstances. Where states and territories elect to do surveillance testing, the Commonwealth will negotiate bilateral agreements on payments.

Our exciting Australia Day celebration in Hornsby Park.  It’ll be a Beauty, Rich and Rare!

Sydney: Hornsby Shire Council will be hosting exciting outdoor Australia Day celebrations filled with music, entertainment, and free swimming-pool fun − from 1-5pm, on Wednesday 26 January at beautiful Hornsby Park (203 Peats Ferry Road).

The celebrations will include free performances by the Gawura Cultural Immersions First Nations dance company; the exciting Latin sounds of the Lily Guerrero Band; and the fabulous Funky Monkeys bringing the best Australian hits of the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s!

Be sure to bring a picnic, a blanket, a hat, don’t forget to ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ − and maintain social distancing, of course.

To ensure public safety, our Australia Day concert celebration is a free ticketed event. To book on Eventbrite, go to bit.ly/HornsbyAustraliaDay2022

Then when you are ready for a dip, Hornsby Leisure & Aquatic Centre next to the park will have free entry and lots of inflatable fun in the outdoor pool! For pool entry, please see the Aquatic Centre front desk. Capacity limits will apply.

Food-trucks will be on hand to serve delicious treats, including German sausages, Chinese bao buns, authentic Greek street food, ice cream and coffees!

Council will also host an Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony from 10am, welcoming 40 new Citizens from 15 countries into the family of the Australian nation.

Our new Citizens are from Bangladesh, the Channel Islands, China including Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, The Philippines, Singapore, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe among others.

“This year’s Hornsby Shire Council Australia Day event will be more than just outdoor family fun in beautiful Hornsby Park and a wonderful afternoon of free entertainment, but a culturally-inclusive celebration of Australia’s long history and our rich cultural diversity,” said Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock.

“Council is taking every precaution to ensure everyone can have an enjoyable time in safety while celebrating everything good about Australia.”

Council will ensure COVID safety measures are in place, including dedicated COVID safety marshals, frequent sanitising and cleaning of contact points, hand sanitisers at multiple locations, and contactless and card food truck payments.

Face masks are strongly recommended for Hornsby Shire Australia Day concert attendees and citizenship candidates.

We are continually monitoring public health requirements and the concert event may be cancelled if needs require it.

For details, go to https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/australiaday

Forget working from home -- why not live in an old office?

Blocks from the White House, an unassuming edifice in downtown Washington that once held offices used by the US Department of Justice is set to be converted into homes for hundreds of people.

This includes The Wray, an office building used by the State Department, but which has been totally renovated to house apartments.