Day: December 31, 2025

How China cracked US ‘super code’, health benefits of lard: 7 science highlights

Media Library

We have put together stories from our coverage on science from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. How China cracked US ‘super code’ that controls most power grids in the world China is no longer using American software to run its power grid. The Southern Regional Electricity Market (SREM) – the world’s largest unified power market – has switched fully to Tianquan, a solver developed by Chinese engineers with speeds 14 per cent…

Australia says ‘deeply concerning, destabilising’ Chinese exercises near Taiwan risk inflaming regional tension

Media Library

Australia says it is deeply concerned about Chinese military exercises near Taiwan, and has raised the issue with Chinese officials. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) said the large-scale simulations risked destabilising the region and could result in an accident or escalation. The People’s Liberation Army launched the expansive surprise attack simulation on Monday, calling the war games “Justice Mission 2025”. Dfat said the exercises were “deeply concerning, destabilising and risk inflaming regional tensions”. “Australia strongly opposes any actions that increase the…

Tokyo expresses concern to Beijing over military drills around Taiwan: report

Media Library

The Japanese government has expressed concern to Beijing over its military drills around Taiwan amid tensions between the two countries that are already strained by the Japanese prime minister’s comments nearly two months ago about a Taiwan contingency, according to Kyodo. It coincides with a statement by Japan that Chinese coastguard vessels have patrolled near the Diaoyu Islands – which are at the centre of a separate long-time dispute between the two countries – for a record number of days this year. Tokyo conveyed to Beijing on Monday that it…

EU to launch carbon border tax despite opposition from trade partners

Media Library

The EU’s landmark carbon border tax will come into force on January 1 despite fierce opposition from trading partners and warnings from European industry that it will increase costs and red tape. The carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), which covers six sectors including steel, cement, aluminium and electricity, is intended to prevent EU companies that have to pay for their emissions being undercut by cheaper, more heavily polluting competition. The European Commission published earlier this month details of how much importers were likely to have to pay. The levy is…