CNR and UAE establish scientific collaboration

The Italian National Research Council (CNR) President Maria Chiara Carrozza visited the United Arab Emirates from March 18 to 19, 2025, where she led a delegation to explore scientific collaborations. Meetings took place at the Joint Khalifa University and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII). The delegation aimed to foster specific agreements on scientific exchanges and intellectual property for entrepreneurial development. Carrozza emphasized the urgent challenges facing our planet, including ecological transition and energy procurement.

UKRI updates funding policies to improve research sustainability

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced updates to its funding policies aimed at improving financial sustainability in the research community in the United Kingdom. Starting from 1 April 2025, UKRI will fund all equipment purchases at 80% of their full economic cost, increasing the capital equipment threshold from £10,000 to £25,000. The organization also clarified its guidelines on institutional matched funding, indicating that there is no expectation of matched funding by default. These measures align with UKRI's strategy to address the sustainability gap in research funding and ensure fair access to resources for research institutions.

Canada's Electric Vehicle Transition and Policy Implications

Canada's transition to electric vehicles (EVs) faces challenges but holds strong potential for economic growth. The government has implemented policies to stimulate the domestic EV industry, including tax incentives and manufacturing support, helping Canada reduce its dependence on the U.S. and establish itself as a global EV leader. Recent measures include EV sales targets aimed at reaching 20% of new vehicle sales by 2026. The domestic EV supply chain is expected to create stable jobs and leverage Canada’s abundant electricity resources for enhanced energy security.

How Top Growers Are Preparing for 2025

FruitCast has expanded its yield forecasting software to service 15% of the UK berry market, rolling out across 300 hectares of UK strawberry farms. Farmers are focusing on proper labor management, infrastructure, and crop protection as they prepare for the strawberry season. With demand for locally grown UK strawberries peaking between May and September, accurate yield forecasting is essential to meet retailer commitments and minimize waste. FruitCast's technology aids farmers by providing data-driven insights and real-time weather forecasts, helping them prepare for varied environmental conditions.

DLR's Participation in Safe AI Engineering Project to Improve Automated Driving Safety

The DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security has participated in the research project 'Safe AI Engineering', aimed at enhancing the safety of automated driving. This project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, includes 24 partners such as car manufacturers, suppliers, and tech providers. It builds on previous AI projects and seeks to develop new safety standards and methods for AI systems in road traffic.

How Sustainable Steel Manufacturing is Transforming the Industry

The steel industry in India has been undergoing a significant transformation towards sustainability. Steel manufacturers in Bangalore have adopted eco-friendly practices and technologies to reduce carbon emissions, relying more on renewable energy and recycling. Companies are investing in energy-efficient technologies, including electric arc furnaces that utilize scrap metal, and implementing waste heat recovery systems. The rise of 'green steel' production methods, particularly hydrogen-based technologies, embodies this shift towards low-carbon manufacturing. A One Steel Group and other firms in Bangalore are leading these efforts to ensure responsible and efficient steel production.

Alexei Overchuk meets with Mongolia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development Luvsannyamyn Gantumur

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk held a meeting in Moscow with Luvsannyamyn Gantumur, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development of Mongolia. They discussed the rapid growth in mutual trade, which increased by 17.8 percent, reaching $2.59 billion by late 2024. The officials emphasized the importance of addressing trade imbalances and promoted bilateral investment cooperation focusing on energy and infrastructure improvements in Mongolia.

Adoption of Green Steel Manufacturing in India

The Ministry of Steel has taken significant measures towards adopting green steel manufacturing in India. It released the "Taxonomy for Green Steel" to define low emission steel standards. Additionally, the "Greening the Steel Sector in India: Roadmap and Action Plan" report was published, targeting net-zero emissions by 2070. A budget of Rs. 455 crore was allocated for green hydrogen pilot projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission by 2029-30, with two pilot projects to produce Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) using 100% hydrogen. Collaboration with international technology providers aims to promote low carbon steel production.

IMPACT OF STEEL IMPORTS ON DOMESTIC STEEL MANUFACTURERS

The Government of India has implemented a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel to boost domestic manufacturing and decrease import reliance. Additionally, it has introduced steel Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to ban sub-standard steel products and enacted Anti Dumping Duty (ADD) and Countervailing Duty (CVD) for various steel imports to protect local manufacturers. The Basic Customs Duty on Ferro-Nickel and Molybdenum ores, essential for steel production, has been reduced to foster industry growth.

TGS Releases 2024 Annual Report

TGS, a leading provider of energy data and intelligence, published its 2024 annual report on March 21, 2025. The report details the company's performance and includes the 2024 Management Remuneration Report in compliance with Norwegian law. Both documents are accessible on TGS’ official website and provide insights into the company's operations and strategic direction in the energy sector.

India-Japan Steel Dialogue Outcomes

The Ministry of Steel, Government of India, has engaged with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Government of Japan, in a dialogue to enhance cooperation in the steel sector. Focus areas included economic trends, industry developments, and global challenges facing both nations. The discussions touched on India's Quality Control Orders (QCO) and the overall capacity-building initiatives. A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) is already in place between the two ministries to promote this collaboration. The Minister of State for Steel, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, provided this information in a reply to the Rajya Sabha.

NOCs for Steel Imports by Ministry of Steel

The Ministry of Steel in India, in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), has notified 151 BIS standards covered by Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to ensure the quality of steel produced or imported into the country. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required for importing certain steel grades not covered by these standards, which is granted based on the intended quantity for the next six months. Applications for NOCs must be submitted online through the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) Portal.

華美晶科技擴大投資3.5億 打造AI晶片高精密探針生產基地

華美晶科技 has announced an investment of 3.5 billion TWD to expand its operations in Taiwan. This expansion includes establishing a high-precision probe and special metal-coated chip production line in Neihu, Taipei. The company has developed a special metal-coated chip that complies with the EU's RoHS environmental standards. They also plan to implement a fully automated smart manufacturing system and have introduced a solar power system to enhance green energy efficiency and sustainability practices.

7th National Corporate Environmental Award Selection Activity

The Ministry of the Environment launched the 7th National Corporate Environmental Award selection event from April 1 to April 30, 2025. President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that the transition to net-zero emissions is a 'common goal' and a 'shared responsibility' for future generations and sustainable development in Taiwan. The awards will encourage companies to fulfill social responsibilities and promote environmental protection through a public selection process, with categories for manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. Companies are invited to submit their achievements in environmental protection to compete for various awards.

Turning challenges into opportunities: the female engineer redefining the industry

E.ON UK has highlighted the contributions of Jo Morley, a performance engineer, in tackling complex energy challenges with innovative AI-driven solutions. She manages energy efficiency projects for major clients like Britvic and Diageo, using AI for predictive maintenance to enhance operational efficiency. Her work is integral to helping businesses gain control of energy use, focusing on independence from the grid through technologies such as battery storage and solar PV systems.

IAEA Stresses Nuclear Safety Amid Ukraine Conflict at ZNPP

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been actively involved with the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) during the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine. Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has highlighted the agency's continuous presence at the ZNPP for two and a half years, working to prevent potential nuclear accidents. The IAEA is ready to support future agreements regarding the plant and is currently overseeing important maintenance activities to ensure nuclear safety and security despite challenging conditions caused by war. Maintenance plans for 2025 have also been provided by the ZNPP, although Grossi noted that the current maintenance is not at the comprehensive level that would be typically expected.

The Clean Energy Transition in Remote Communities

The Pembina Institute hosted the fourth Renewables in Remote Communities conference to address the clean energy transition in remote communities across Canada. Lynne Couves, the director of the Pembina Institute’s Renewables in Remote Communities program, emphasized that remote communities often rely on diesel for power, leading to high energy costs. Research indicates that these communities pay six to ten times more for energy than urban areas, largely due to reliance on costly fuel supply deliveries. There has been progress in renewable energy projects, with solar capacity increasing 11-fold and a reduction of over 12 million liters of diesel usage annually from 2015 to 2020.

Challenges in Assessing Cumulative Impact on Nature

The CLEAN project at the Fram Centre has revealed challenges faced by administrative employees in Norway regarding the assessment of cumulative environmental impacts. Eirik Mikkelsen, Senior Scientist at Nofima, stated that many employees struggle due to a lack of data and methods for such assessments. The report emphasizes the need for better tools and training for assessing the cumulative impact on nature, suggesting that clearer guidelines and improved data availability are crucial for effective environmental management.

Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal chairs meeting on National Electricity Plan

The Ministry of Power in India, chaired by Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal, held a Consultative Committee meeting focusing on the 'National Electricity Plan - Transmission.' The plan details the transmission system requirements to meet future electricity demands from 2023 to 2032, forecasting the addition of approximately 1.91 lakh ckm of transmission lines and 1274 GVA of transformation capacity. The Central Electricity Authority prepared the National Electricity Plan covering transmission until 2031-32, released in October 2024. Problems discussed included right of way, new technologies in transmission, and cybersecurity.

Survey on the Structure of Agricultural Holdings 2023

The Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) reported the results of the Survey on the Structure of Agricultural Holdings 2023. The number of agricultural holdings decreased by 12.4% from 2020 to 2023, totaling 784,141. The total Utilized Agricultural Area (UAA) was estimated at 23.5 million hectares, down 1.6%, while the average area per holding increased by 13.2% to 30.46 hectares. Organic farming area increased by 19.2% over the same period, now representing 9.5% of the total UAA.