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RIYADH: Achieving food security and sustainability is a top priority for Saudi Arabia as it works toward building a more inclusive economy. The Kingdom aims to accomplish this by boosting domestic production and investing in international supply chains to secure key commodities that are unavailable locally. Strategic transformations as well as enhanced international cooperation are both essential in efforts to address global food insecurity, Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, Saudi Arabia’s minister of environment, water and agriculture, said at the recent meeting of G20 agriculture ministers in Brazil. “There is a pressing need to adopt a long-term transformation for food security and nutrition,” he told decision-makers on the second day of the conference. “This underscores the need to intensify our efforts and strengthen collaboration to develop pragmatic solutions for building sustainable, healthy and inclusive food systems.” The G20 agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture ministers met on Sept. 12-13 in Chapada dos Guimaraes, Brazil, to discuss strengthening the resilience and sustainability of food systems across economic, social and environmental dimensions. These sectors are key to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Increased efforts to boost Saudi Arabia’s food production resulted in the country announcing in September 2023 that it had achieved self-sufficiency in fresh dairy products and eggs, with surpluses available for export. In addition, the Kingdom has significantly increased domestic production of various crops, including potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and onions, as well as red meat. This progress comes from increased efforts to boost domestic food production by involving all stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society. One notable company is Topian, which was launched by NEOM in 2023. Topian aims to redefine food production, distribution, and consumption by creating sustainable, innovative solutions in five key areas: climate-proof agriculture, regenerative aquaculture, novel foods, personalized nutrition, and sustainable food supply and environmental, social and governance. Founded with the support of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Topian aligns with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification. The company is leading efforts to ensure food security, combat climate change, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. “As a wholly owned subsidiary of NEOM, Topian is fully aligned with NEOM’s commitment to providing high-quality food products to the market, and promoting food security and sustainability, while contributing to the Kingdom’s self-sufficiency objectives and long-term economic goals,” said Juan Carlos Motamayor, the company’s CEO. “Topian is leading the food-security conversation to create a resilient food supply in line with the Saudi Green Initiative and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. “We are not only committing to shaping a transformative global food system, but also to setting a global benchmark by pioneering new technologies and innovative solutions to overcome food-related challenges and create a more secure, sustainable and prosperous future for all.” Topian has formed several local and international strategic partnerships with organizations committed to reshaping the future of food. These agreements include collaborations with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Tabuk University, Tabuk Fish Company, BlueNalu, Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects, and Cargill. Through these partnerships, it aims to drive research and development, leveraging expertise to create innovative and sustainable food-production methods. The company is also committed to the NEOM CARE partnership, which focuses on educational initiatives to promote local sustainable gastronomy and develop Saudi talent through training opportunities and chef camps. Another key Saudi initiative aimed at achieving food security is the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security. Founded by KAUST in 2024, the center focuses on the advancement of technology-driven solutions to help enhance sustainable food production, particularly in arid environments. Its primary goal is to translate research into practical applications that minimize the environmental impact of food systems. The center is led by Mark Tester, an expert in plant science and agriculture in arid environments, and co-chaired by Brande Wulff, a leader in crop genetics, and Peiying Hong, an expert in environmental microbiology and wastewater treatment. It aims to address key challenges in resource efficiency, crop improvement, and sustainable biosystems, with the goal of enhancing food security in Saudi Arabia and beyond while minimizing environmental impacts. “To deliver food to our plates, we need to prepare the land, improve our crops, harvest, process and distribute,” Tester told Arab News. “Together, these activities are arguably the most environmentally impactful of all human activities, using half of all the land and three-quarters of all the water we use, and the food sector is probably the second-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. “All steps in the process need to be improved to increase sustainability, from fertilizer production and the deployment of technologies to increasing our ability to grow fresh fruits and vegetables locally, through to education to improve nutrition and reduce waste.” The center uses advanced technologies to boost sustainability in the food sector, including artificial intelligence-machine learning, Internet of Things sensors, and computer vision and robotics, all key components of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It also employs nanotechnology, such as heat-absorbing nanoparticles that reduce heat load in greenhouses, and biotechnologies such as genomics, gene editing and modifications to enhance crops in ways previously not possible. Tester said the center has also introduced the Sustainable Food Security Edible Education Program, which is designed to “help reconnect young people with the sources of their food — ultimately plants — and to do this in a way that is fun and engaging, and in a way that kids can immediately relate to; i.e., through food.” He added: “We all get hungry, several times a day, and if we are growing at least some of our food that we then eat, it reminds us of how our meals end up on our plates. In the Edible Education Program, we help children and their teachers grow plants in the schoolyard and use these for some of their school lunches. It is immediate, direct and fun.” Saudi Arabia has actively promoted domestic and foreign investments in agriculture, Al-Fadley, the environment, water and agriculture minister, said during the G20 meeting in Brazil. Over the past four years, agricultural loans have surged, contributing to growth of 35 percent in the Kingdom’s agricultural gross domestic product.Hello, and welcome back to TechCrunch Space! To the shock of no one, ever, NASA announced that the next Artemis mission is delayed to no earlier than April 2026, and the subsequent Artemis III mission is delayed to mid-2027. It will be interesting to see how Artemis changes under Jared Isaacman’s leadership — more on that below... Want to reach out with a tip? Email Aria at aria.techcrunch@gmail.com or send a message on Signal at 512-937-3988. You can also send a note to the TechCrunch crew at tips@techcrunch.com . For more secure communications , click here to contact us , which includes SecureDrop instructions and links to encrypted messaging apps. Story of the week I’ll admit that I was a bit surprised this week when I learned that incoming President Donald Trump is nominating entrepreneur and private astronaut Jared Isaacman to the role of NASA Administrator. The NASA Administrator oversees a $25 billion budget and a workforce of more than 18,000 people — as well as guiding major scientific initiatives that help us understand climate change, the solar system, and so much more. I took a stab at trying to understand how Isaacman — who is not a political figure, and has never held public office — would lead the space agency through what could end up being one of the most consequential periods in NASA history. Scoop of the week Many people have wondered what exactly is going on with SpinLaunch, a startup that’s developing an alternative system for delivering satellites and other payloads to orbit. I wasn’t able to get to the bottom of it, but I did learn something interesting: While SpinLaunch recently closed $11 million in new funding (after raising a $71 million Series B in 2022), they were mulling a much, much higher sum earlier this year. This week in space history It’s fitting that we’ve talked so much about the future of the Artemis program this week, because for this week’s “This week in space history” segment, we’re looking back at Apollo 17 — aka the last time humans walked on the moon. The mission, which took place from December 7-19, 1972, was the last crewed lunar landing under NASA’s Apollo program. Click the link above to learn more about the mission.

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BEIJING, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from China Daily: Construction of a new campus of the University of Macau is underway in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Covering approximately 375,600 square meters, it is expected to open in 2028, accommodating faculties such as medicine, information technology, design and engineering. The new campus will also house institutes for interdisciplinary and advanced research, as well as the UM's Hengqin center for higher education, in cooperation with industry, academia and research. Speaking at the Dec 9 groundbreaking ceremony, Ho Iat-seng, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, said the new campus "signifies a new milestone in the collaborative development and deep cooperation between Macao and Hengqin, and will further promote Macao's faster integration into the national development framework". Construction of UM's new campus in the Hengqin cooperation zone is spurred by its vision to promote the high-quality development, as well as helping it achieve the strategic alignment of its "four new" sectors: sci-tech research and high-end manufacturing; traditional Chinese medicine; cultural tourism, convention and exhibition; and modern finance. Hengqin and Macao are close neighbors. In September 2021, the central government issued a general plan for building a Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, leading to the establishment of an administration staffed by both mainland and Macao officials at all levels. Over the past three years, Hengqin has endeavored to aid in Macao's moderately diversified industrial development while constructing a livable and workable space for its residents. To this end, the integration of Hengqin and Macao is setting the course for a new era of close collaboration between the two regions. In terms of industrial planning, Hengqin's "four new" sectors blend with Macao's "1+4" industry diversification strategy, which involves promoting the growth of one key sector - tourism and leisure - alongside the advancement of the big health, modern finance and high-tech industries, as well as conventions, exhibitions, culture and sports. According to official data, as of the end of October, there were 6,521 Macao-funded businesses in the cooperation zone. In the first three quarters of this year, the added value of Macao-funded industries reached 2.63 billion yuan ($360.32 million), representing a year-on-year increase of 111.2 percent. As of the end of November, the number of "four new" industry enterprises had grown to 31,506, up 6.3 percent from the end of 2021. As well, in the first three quarters, the added value of "four new" industries reached 21.6 billion yuan, accounting for 57.8 percent of the cooperation zone's GDP. In addition, Macao's economic diversification efforts have yielded notable results. In 2023, the added value of key sectors such as TCM and modern financial services surged to 39.05 billion Macao patacas, marking a 6.9 percent increase from 2019. Meanwhile, the gaming industry's contribution to the local GDP saw a significant 14-percentage-point decline compared to 2019. Hengqin has been steadfast in its commitment to establishing a destination that enhances the quality of life and employment opportunities for Macao residents. In a groundbreaking collaboration between the governments of Guangdong and Macao, the Macau New Neighborhood project was officially introduced in 2023 to satisfy the needs of Macao residents - many of whom have since relocated to Hengqin, benefiting from essential amenities such as Macao-centric schools, community services, and household assistance. As a result, the cooperation zone is progressively evolving into a distinctive enclave, embodying the essence of a fresh beginning for Macao residents. On March 1, the cooperation zone announced implementation of a policy of "opening up the first line and controlling the second line" under the close-loop customs arrangements, marking a pivotal stride toward an integrated and open framework in sync with Macao. The boundary between Hengqin and Macao was designated as the "first line", while the boundary between Hengqin and other parts of the mainland was designated the "second line". "This move directly benefits the advancement of technology R&D, TCM and other Macao-branded industries, as well as advanced manufacturing companies in the cooperation zone," said a business operator, noting that the concerted efforts of a series of policies are expected to drive Hengqin and Macao to accelerate formation of a complete industry chain system and cultivate more productive forces. Since the implementation of the management policy, the daily average inbound and outbound person times at the "first line" port stands at around 62,000, with approximately 6,700 vehicle trips, while the daily average number of vehicle trips leaving the island through the various channels of the "second line" is about 53,000. The number of inbound and outbound passengers passing through Hengqin Port has exceeded 20 million since the start of 2024, setting a new record. In addition, the Macao light rail Hengqin line opened on Dec 2, further enhancing cross-boundary travel for residents. "It is more convenient to conduct business and entrepreneurship between Hengqin and Macao," said Leong Ka-seng, a Macao entrepreneur who has operated tea restaurants in Hengqin for nearly 10 years. "The integration of regulations and systems between Hengqin and Macao is constantly deepening, and Hengqin is a vibrant and energetic place for doing business," he said. SOURCE China Daily MENAFN20122024003732001241ID1109018549 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.The crypto stablecoin venture Tether says that it is investing $775 million in the video sharing platform and cloud provider , which has become a favorite of conservative hosts and content creators and positions itself as a free speech alternative to its competitors. The companies announced the deal Friday evening. Rumble will receive $250 million in the deal, with the remaining proceeds “to fund a self tender offer for up to 70 million of its Class A Common Stock, at the same price ($7.50 per share) as Tether’s investment,” the companies say. Rumble is a competitor to , playing host to people like conservative commentators like Dan Bongino, Steven Crowder and Andrew Tate, the journalist Glenn Greenwald, gamer Dr. Disrespect, and Dana White’s competitions. Its shareholders include Bongino, and a venture capital firm co-founded by Vice president-elect JD Vance. Vance’s financial disclosures also showed that he has a personal stake in Rumble valued at between $100,000-$250,000. Rumble says that after the investment closes, chairman and CEO Chris Pavlovski will still hold a majority stake in the company, though he will sell as many as 10 million shares in the tender offer. Tether, meanwhile, has become one of the most prominent stablecoins in the crypto universe, with more than 350 million users. “I could not be more excited about this collaboration with Tether for a number of reasons,” Pavlovski said in a statement. “First, many people may not realize the incredibly strong connection between the cryptocurrency and free speech communities, which is rooted in a passion for freedom, transparency, and decentralization. Second, the immediate commitment of adding $250 million in cash to our balance sheet not only confirms the level of support and commitment to a collaboration between our companies, it also fuels our growth initiatives. And, third, this transaction provides an immediate liquidity event for all of our stockholders who elect to participate in the self tender offer. I truly believe Tether is the perfect partner that can put a rocket pack on the back of Rumble as we prepare for our next phase of growth.” “Tether’s investment in Rumble reflects our shared values of decentralization, independence, transparency, and the fundamental right to free expression,” added Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “In today’s world, legacy media has increasingly eroded trust, creating an opportunity for platforms like Rumble to offer a credible, uncensored alternative. This collaboration aligns with our long-standing commitment to empowering technologies that promote freedom and challenge centralized systems, as demonstrated through our recent collaborations and initiatives. Rumble’s dedication to fostering open communication and innovation makes them an ideal ally as we continue building the infrastructure for a more decentralized, inclusive future. Lastly, beyond our initial shareholder stake, Tether intends to drive towards a meaningful advertising, cloud, and crypto payment solutions relationship with Rumble.” THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election , according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country's electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation's electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030 . Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses . Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power. Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later. Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro

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