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Articles by Commissioner Várhelyi
Construction Begins On Graddle Creek Bridge Project
Parkes Shire Council is pleased to announce that on-site works are now commencing on the long-awaited Graddle Creek Bridge project along The McGrane Way, following a comprehensive process of land acquisition, design, and approvals. Funded by the NSW Government and Parkes Shire Council, this critical infrastructure project has been awarded $7.99 million under the NSW Government's Fixing Country Roads program, with a total investment of $8.14 million.
Glow Up Youth Disco Returns To Light Up Echuca
Campaspe Shire Council is thrilled to announce the return of the Glow Up Youth Disco, a high-energy celebration of self-expression, music, and young people in our community. This year's event promises an unforgettable night of dancing, colour, and connection for secondary-school-aged youth across the region. Set to take place at Fuzion Café in Echuca, the disco will feature a live DJ, interactive Just Dance battles, a photo booth to capture the fun, and plenty of giveaways to keep the energy high.
NUS-SCELSE Researchers Uncover Hidden Plant-microbe Strategy That Boosts Crop Growth Under Nutrient Stress
Scientists from the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) - a biofilm & microbiome research centre - and the National University of Singapore (NUS), have uncovered a surprising strategy plants use to thrive when an essential nutrient - sulphur - is in short supply. The team discovered that when soil microbes compete with each other in the rhizosphere (the soil surrounding plant roots), they release a well-known compound called glutathione.
KAIST Exports Global License For New Drug Candidate For Intractable Epilepsy Worth 750 Billion KRW
<(From Left) Professor Jeong Ho Lee, CEO Cheolwon Park, Principal Researcher Sang-min Park> KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 9th of October that Sovargen (co-led by CEOs Cheolwon Park and Jeong Ho Lee), a faculty startup led by Professor Jeong Ho Lee of the KAIST Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, has successfully achieved a global technology export deal worth a total of 750 billion KRW.
Interest Sought For New Drury Hospital Site
The first step towards building a new hospital in South Auckland has been taken, with the procurement process underway from today to secure land in Drury for a major new health precinct, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. "Health New Zealand will today begin the procurement process to secure land in Drury for a new hospital, calling for expressions of interest from landowners for a health precinct.
Owner Charged After Investigation Into False Report Of Animal Cruelty At Newcastle
A dog owner has been charged for allegedly making a false report of an animal cruelty incident in Newcastle. On Sunday 5 October 2025, police were allegedly told that a rottweiler had been injured by a group of young people while tethered to a tree in Newcastle West on Friday 3 October 2025, and because of the assault, was euthanised by a vet due to the extent of her injuries.
Police Charge Woman With Murder After Being Extradited From Victoria At Jerilderie
A woman will face court today charged with murder, after a man's body was found on the side of the Hume Highway earlier this year, in the state's south. Officers attached to Murray River Police District were called to the Newell Highway, about 11km south of Jerilderie, about 12:35pm on Tuesday 17 June 2025, after the body of 44-year-old Mark Akers was found on the side of the road. He had suffered critical injuries, allegedly as a result of being struck by a car.
Key Route Reopens Ahead Of Schedule
The Allan Labor Government has reopened the Maroondah Aqueduct Bridge on Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, making journeys smoother for the more than 5,400 vehicles each day. Crews have worked around the clock to undertake essential maintenance and structural improvements, with reinforced steel, new concrete abutments and a new bridge deck installed to strengthen the bridge.
Statement By Commissioner Várhelyi On World Mental Health Day 2025
World Mental Health Day reminds us that the health of our minds is an essential part of our well-being. Especially the health of our children and young people is the foundation of a strong and resilient society. Young Europeans today face challenges very different from those of their parents. Rapid digitalisation, constant connectivity, online pressure, and exposure to global challenges all have a deep impact on how they think, feel, and interact.
More Than Feeling: Could Healthier Gut Improve Mental Health?
Nearly one in seven people live with a mental health disorder, making it one of the world's most pressing health challenges. Yet despite available treatments, most people still lack access to effective care. Now, researchers from the University of South Australia are exploring the connections between the gut and the brain to decipher their role in mental health and wellbeing.
New Appointments To Steer First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group
The Albanese Government has appointed four new members to the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group. The new appointees join the co-chairs, Ms Dot West OAM and Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker, as well as Mr Adam Manovic, as members of the Advisory Group.
Feedback Sought On Public Transport Accessibility Legislation
Consultation is now open on legislative reforms that will ensure public transport is more accessible for people with disability. The Albanese Government is updating the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 to improve accessibility and support independent travel, meaning travellers can plan and undertake their journeys with a greater level of certainty. This is the first major reform to the Transport Standards since they were introduced over 20 years ago.
Serious Crash Tantanoola
Police and emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash in the south-east of the state. About 2.30pm on Friday 10 October, police were called to Tantanoola Road at Tantanoola after reports a car had crashed into a tree. Tantanoola Road is currently closed between Kongorong-Tantanoola Road and the Princes Highway. Please avoid the area. /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length.
ATSB Recruiting For Marine Transport Safety Investigators
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is currently recruiting for marine transport safety investigators. The ATSB is completely independent of operators and the regulator, and has unique powers to gather and protect evidence under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003. Our role is to help prevent future occurrences by ensuring lessons are learned and safety improvements are made through evidence-based, no-blame investigations, providing assurance that systems are operating safely.
Madagascar Workshop Highlights Sub-seabed Carbon Capture
Protecting the oceans from dumping of hazardous wastes at sea through full implementation of the London Protocol (LP), including carbon capture and storage in the sub-seabed, was the subject of a national workshop in Antananarivo, Madagascar (21-23 May). The LP prohibits all dumping at sea, other than when explicitly permitted under the terms of the treaty, and contains measures for climate change mitigation.
UofT Researcher Shields Power Utilities from Quantum Attacks
A researcher from the University of Toronto is leading a multidisciplinary research group that aims develop quantum-based technology solutions to defend power utilities against future cyberattacks. With the support of a first-of-its-kind NSERC Alliance-Mitacs Accelerate grant worth $1.45 million, the group is working at the intersection of quantum, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. "We have to stay ahead of the game," says group lead Deepa Kundur, professor and chair of U of T's Edward S.
UN Rights Chief Applauds Srebrenica Genocide 1995 Memorial Resolution
I welcome the resolution adopted today by the UN General Assembly to designate 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. This resolution is further recognition of the victims and survivors and their pursuit of justice, truth and guarantees of non-recurrence. It is also an important step towards promotion of a culture of remembrance and peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the region.
Chakrabarty, Team Secure International Simons Grant for Geoengineering
Geoengineering, or large-scale manipulation of the climate by humans, has spawned sci-fi treatments aplenty, from supervillains trying to control the weather for their own ends to vivid imaginings of what future catastrophes might result from unsustainable environmental control. Rajan Chakrabarty, the Harold D. Jolley Career Development Associate Professor in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, takes a more nuanced view.
Space Force Opens Full-Time Roles to Air Force Reserve Volunteers
Air Force Reservists in space-related career fields interested in volunteering for the U.S. Space Force in a fulltime capacity can expect the application window to open June 1-Nov. 30, 2024. This transfer option is part of the Space Force Personnel Management Act (PMA), approved by Congress and signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.
Potential Breakthrough in Male Birth Control Pill Development
The world's population has increased by more than 2.6-fold in the last 60 years. The growing trend continues - projections indicate that the number of people living on our planet will grow to 9 billion by 2037 from 8 billion in 2022. These numbers underscore the need for considering family planning; however, there have been limited breakthroughs in contraception in recent decades. Specifically for men, there are no oral contraceptive pills available.
Maltreated Kids' Sleep Unimproved by Weighted Blankets
A study by University of Houston sleep expert and psychology professor Candice Alfano has found that weighted blankets, between 5 and 10 pounds, do not improve sleep for children who have experienced various types of maltreatment including abuse or neglect. The popularity of weighted blankets has soared in recent years, largely based on the idea that the pressure of a heavy blanket induces feelings of relaxation and calm that help us fall asleep.
Statement By Commissioner Varhelyi
With reference to the statement made by the Prime Minister of Georgia on 23 May 2024, hereby I would like to express my very sincere regret that a certain part of my phone conversation was taken out of context. As a Commissioner responsible for Neighbourhood and Enlargement I am in regular contact with Government officials of my portfolio countries, since communication channels always have to be kept open for direct political exchanges.
Minister Ng Advocates Trilateral Cooperation at CUSMA Meeting
The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) supports growth and prosperity across North America, generating nearly $2 trillion in annual merchandise trade. The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative, and Raquel Buenrostro, Mexico's Secretary of Economy, attended the fourth CUSMA Free Trade Commission (FTC) meeting, hosted by the United States on May 21-22, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.
First Observation of Universes Earliest Galaxies Birth
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, University of Copenhagen researchers have become the first to see the formation of three of the earliest galaxies in the universe, more than 13 billion years ago. The sensational discovery contributes important knowledge about the universe and is now published in the prestigious journal Science.
Research: Brain Can Recognize Images Without Color Robustly
Even though the human visual system has sophisticated machinery for processing color, the brain has no problem recognizing objects in black-and-white images. A new study from MIT offers a possible explanation for how the brain comes to be so adept at identifying both color and color-degraded images. Using experimental data and computational modeling, the researchers found evidence suggesting the roots of this ability may lie in development.
Venice Commission Issues Urgent Opinions on Montenegro
The Council of Europe's body of constitutional legal experts, the Venice Commission, has recently published five new urgent (follow-up) opinions on draft legislation of Montenegro. All of them were requested by the Minister of Justice of Montenegro.
Early Universe Galaxies Spotted Consuming Cold Gas
Researchers analyzing data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have pinpointed three galaxies that may be actively forming when the universe was only 400 to 600 million years old. Webb's data shows these galaxies are surrounded by gas that the researchers suspect to be almost purely hydrogen and helium, the earliest elements to exist in the cosmos. Webb's instruments are so sensitive that they were able to detect an unusual amount of dense gas surrounding these galaxies.
Human Brain Development Sequencing Reveals New Gene Transcripts
Key takeaways Regulation of isoforms — varied versions of RNA and proteins that can be produced from a single gene — is a critical tool in understanding brain development and genetic risk for neuropsychiatric disorders. Using new sequencing technologies, UCLA and University of Pennsylvania researchers uncovered 214,516 unique isoforms in the developing neocortex — over 70% of which have not been previously studied.
New Study Reveals PTSD & Major Depression Insights
AUSTIN, Texas — Stress-related disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and clinical depression are complex conditions influenced by both genetics and our environment. Despite significant research, the molecular mechanisms behind these disorders have remained elusive.
Mount Sinai Studies Uncover Mental Health Disorder Origins
Working under the umbrella of the PsychENCODE Consortium, the mental health research project established in 2015 by the National Institutes of Health, a team of Mount Sinai scientists has uncovered important new insights into the molecular biology of neuropsychiatric disease through two new studies published in a special issue of Science on Friday, May 24.
Vanderbilt Board Of Trust Elects Three New Members
At its regular spring meeting earlier this month, the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust elected three new trustees, reelected three trustees to second terms, and thanked several outgoing trustees for their service. The board welcomed new trustees David Bronson Ingram, MBA'89, and CJ (Cynthia) Warner, BE'80, who will serve five-year terms beginning July 1.
Global Majority Trust Climate Scientists, Study Reveals
While most people worldwide trust climate scientists, a small, skeptical minority – such as conservatives in the U.S. – can lead to climate inaction, reports Viktoria Cologna of Harvard University and colleagues in a new article published May 23 in the open-access journal PLOS Climate. According to climate experts, the window to address climate change and secure a livable and sustainable future is rapidly closing.
Brussels Will Not Suspend Humanitarian Aid To Palestine As Announced By Commissioner Varhelyi
Controversy this Monday afternoon in the EU. The European Commissioner for Expansion, Oliver Varhelyi, announced that the European Union will suspend humanitarian aid to Palestine. A few hours later, the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, denied it and the European Commission issued a note.
Brussels Will Not Suspend Humanitarian Aid To Palestine As Announced By Commissioner Varhelyi
Controversy this Monday afternoon in the EU. The European Commissioner for Expansion, Oliver Varhelyi, announced that the European Union will suspend humanitarian aid to Palestine. A few hours later, the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, denied it and the European Commission issued a note.
Morocco: Providing Access to Healthcare for Moroccan Citizens - Hospital of Salé
Luxembourg — The EU and its bank the EIB, supported the construction, renovation and modernization of 16 hospitals in Morocco, with a loan worth of 70 million EUR and a grant of more than 13 million EUR, providing the Kingdom with state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure enabling staff to work in better conditions. Hospital of Salé is one of them. The new hospital improved regional healthcare and health services thanks to its new infrastructure and modern technical equipment.
Libya: Declaration By the High Representative On Behalf of the European Union On the Approval of the New Government of National Unity
Brussels — The European Union and its Member States welcome the approval by the House of Representatives of the new Libyan Government of National Unity, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, and applaud the efforts of all involved to come together in the spirit of national unity and reconciliation.
Libya: Joint Statement of the Governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America On Libya
Berlin — France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America welcome the vote of confidence by the overwhelming majority of the members of the House of Representatives meeting in Sirte 8-10 March to endorse the cabinet chosen by Prime Minister-designate Abdulhamid Dabaiba for an interim Government of National Unity. We applaud the Libyan people for their determination to restore unity to their country.
Libya: Federal Foreign Minister Maas On Libya
Berlin — Foreign Minister Maas issued the following statement today (10 March) on the Libyan parliament's approval of the new transitional government: Today is an important day for Libya. After years of conflict, the country's parliament has cleared the way for the political process to go forward. The interim government has now assumend the critical task of organising free nationwide elections.
Africa: Achievable Energy Future Requires Electricity, Gas and Infrastructure
Barcelona, Spain — International Gas Union President Joe Kang today called for a sustainable and achievable energy transition. Electricity, natural gas, hydrogen, and the necessary infrastructure will be needed to help individual countries meet the UN Sustainable Development and Paris Goals. Continued calls for electricity-only pathways to Paris targets is a setup for failure on both Paris and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Africa: Global Payments Platform Nium Enables Customers to Remit Funds Into Four Major African Markets
Nairobi, Kenya — Customers of Nium can now remit funds via bank transfers or to mobile money wallets Nium, an advanced global payments platform, announced today that its clients are now able to send funds to their business partners located in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania, with more countries in the pipeline. Customers of Nium are also able to extend this service to their own consumers.
Somalia: Joint Statement On Announcement of Date for Somaliland's Parliamentary and Local Council Elections
International partners welcome the announcement that Somaliland's parliamentary and local council elections will take place on 31 May 2021. The below statement was signed by Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States. The international partners supporting Somaliland's democratisation process welcome the announcement that parliamentary and local council elections will take place on 31 May 2021.
Egypt: Defence Senior Advisor and His Successor Conclude Visit to Egypt
Cairo — This visit is particularly significant as it marks the handover of the DSAME role from Lt Gen Lorimer to AM Sampson. The current UK Chief of Defence Staff's Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME), Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer, and his successor Air Marshal (AM) Martin (Sammy) Sampson have wrapped up this week a three-day official visit to Egypt. This visit is particularly significant as it marks the handover of the DSAME role from Lt Gen Lorimer to AM Sampson.
Ghana-UK Joint Statement on a New interim Ghana-UK Trade Partnership Agreement
London — n 31 December 2020, Ghana and the UK announced that they had reached a consensus on the main elements of a trade agreement that would replicate the effects of the trade relationship between Ghana and the UK prior to the end of the Transition Period following the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union.
Africa: Power Roll - Bringing Cheap Solar Power to Africa and India
London — Supported by Innovate UK, Power Roll is developing, testing, and implementing lightweight, low-cost, flexible solar mini grid systems in India and Africa. Power Roll has installed two mini solar grid systems in rural locations in Africa and India. These grids demonstrate the use of their innovative solar film and energy storage technologies that have the potential to disrupt the global solar power market.
South Sudan: Response Scale-Up for Highly Food Insecure Areas Situation Report
Juba, South Sudan — IPC results show the need for scale-up to meet extreme food insecurity. An estimated 104,000 people are targeted in the response in six "Priority 1" counties in Jonglei, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Greater Pibor Administrative Area and Warrap. People in the six counties are in urgent need of food assistance and livelihood support, WASH, health and nutrition, and protection services.
East Africa: Defence Secretary Visits Kenya and Somalia to Discuss Al Shabaab
London — Ben Wallace travelled to the two East African nations to enhance security cooperation in the battle against terror group Al Shabaab and other shared threats. The Defence Secretary has signed a refreshed security cooperation agreement following high-level talks with Dr Fred Matiang'i, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for the Interior, and Dr Monica Juma, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence, in Nairobi this week.
Cameroon: UK in Cameroon Covid-19 Relief Caravan
Yaoundé, Cameroon — The British High Commission Yaounde leads the British Business Community in Cameroon to reach out to vulnerable communities with COVID-19 preventive equipment. In solidarity with the Government of Cameroon's efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the British High Commission in Yaounde led the British Business Community in Cameroon on a distribution campaign dubbed, "UK in Cameroon COVID-19 Relief Caravan".
Rwanda: 37th Universal Periodic Review - UK Statement On Rwanda
London — The UK delivered a statement on Rwanda at the 37th Session of Universal Periodic Review (UPR), sharing recommendations to improve their human rights record. The United Kingdom welcomes Rwanda's strong record on economic and social rights, and promotion of gender equality. We remain concerned, however, by continued restrictions to civil and political rights and media freedom.
Libya: UK Joint Statement On Progress Made By the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum
London — The Governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States respond to recent progress made by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum.
Libya: UN Calls for Resumption of Mediterranean Rescues, After 43 Die in Libya Shipwreck
Following another deadly shipwreck off the coast of Libya that claimed 43 lives on Monday, the UN migration and refugee agencies have called for countries to re-activate search and rescue operations. In a joint statement released on Wednesday by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the two agencies expressed their sadness at the tragic event, the first of 2021 in the Central Mediterranean.
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