Latest news with #UAVs
The Age
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Age
Chinese drone boffin loses visa appeal over weapons claim
A Chinese drone researcher whose student visa was denied over claims he was associated with weapons of mass destruction has lost his appeal against the immigration minister. Xiaolong Zhu, 36, was in Australia on a tourist visa in 2018 when he applied for a student visa to begin studying for a doctorate of philosophy at QUT's Gardens Point campus. Zhu proposed focusing on surveying and studying the navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as UAVs or drones, in environments where GPS guidance was not available. The immigration minister's delegate rejected Zhu's student visa application in October 2020 due to the Home Affairs Department receiving information that he was 'directly or indirectly associated with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction'. On Monday, the Federal Court in Brisbane rejected Zhu's latest appeal of that decision and ordered him to pay costs. His barrister, Matt Black, had argued there was 'repugnancy or inconsistency' between the wording of the Migration Act and Australia's migration regulations, but that was rejected by justices Darryl Rangiah and Stephen Burley. 'In our view, no such repugnancy is demonstrated in the present case, and the learned primary judge did not err in so concluding,' the justices stated in their decision. The initial Federal Circuit Court decision from May 2024 noted that Zhu had a master's degree in aeronautical engineering and space vehicle guidance from Beijing's Beihang University, which is closely linked to China's People's Liberation Army. Judge Gregory Egan said in 2024 the section of the Migration Act used to deny Zhu a visa was also concerned with 'missiles or other devices that may be capable of delivering' weapons of mass destruction.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Chinese drone boffin loses visa appeal over weapons claim
A Chinese drone researcher whose student visa was denied over claims he was associated with weapons of mass destruction has lost his appeal against the immigration minister. Xiaolong Zhu, 36, was in Australia on a tourist visa in 2018 when he applied for a student visa to begin studying for a doctorate of philosophy at QUT's Gardens Point campus. Zhu proposed focusing on surveying and studying the navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as UAVs or drones, in environments where GPS guidance was not available. The immigration minister's delegate rejected Zhu's student visa application in October 2020 due to the Home Affairs Department receiving information that he was 'directly or indirectly associated with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction'. On Monday, the Federal Court in Brisbane rejected Zhu's latest appeal of that decision and ordered him to pay costs. His barrister, Matt Black, had argued there was 'repugnancy or inconsistency' between the wording of the Migration Act and Australia's migration regulations, but that was rejected by justices Darryl Rangiah and Stephen Burley. 'In our view, no such repugnancy is demonstrated in the present case, and the learned primary judge did not err in so concluding,' the justices stated in their decision. The initial Federal Circuit Court decision from May 2024 noted that Zhu had a master's degree in aeronautical engineering and space vehicle guidance from Beijing's Beihang University, which is closely linked to China's People's Liberation Army. Judge Gregory Egan said in 2024 the section of the Migration Act used to deny Zhu a visa was also concerned with 'missiles or other devices that may be capable of delivering' weapons of mass destruction.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
China drone boffin loses visa appeal over weapons claim
A Chinese drone researcher who had his student visa denied over claims he was associated with weapons of mass destruction has lost his appeal against the immigration minister. Xiaolong Zhu, 36 , was in Australia on a tourist visa in 2018 when he applied for a student visa to begin studying for a doctorate of philosophy at the Queensland University of Technology's Brisbane Gardens Point campus. Mr Zhu proposed to focus on surveying and studying the navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as UAVs or drones, in environments where GPS guidance was not available. The immigration minister's delegate rejected Mr Zhu's student visa application in October 2020 due to the Home Affairs Department receiving information he was "directly or indirectly associated with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction". The Federal Court in Brisbane on Monday rejected Mr Zhu's latest appeal of that decision and ordered him to pay costs. Mr Zhu's barrister Matt Black had argued there was "repugnancy or inconsistency" between the wording of the Migration Act and Australia's migration regulations, which was rejected by Justices Darryl Rangiah and Stephen Burley. "In our view no such repugnancy is demonstrated in the present case and the learned primary judge did not err in so concluding," the justices stated in their decision. The Federal Circuit Court decision from May 2024 that was appealed by Mr Zhu noted he had a Master's degree in aeronautical engineering and space vehicle guidance from Beihang University, which is closely linked to China's People's Liberation Army. Judge Gregory Egan said in 2024 the section of the Migration Act used to deny Mr Zhu a visa was also concerned with "missiles or other devices that may be capable of delivering" weapons of mass destruction. Queensland University of Technology's then pro-vice-chancellor for graduate research Helen Klaebe wrote to Home Affairs in June 2020 to deny Mr Zhu's research was related to weapons of mass destruction. "His research concentrates on decision-making theory and aims to develop an efficient system that uses three or four drones for civilian application scenarios in search for injured person in an indoor clutter environment during search and rescue mission," Professor Klaebe stated. "With the help of this system, a rescue team in Australia can precisely and quickly locate a person needing help inside a building in critical situations such as earthquakes and fires, without risking the life of a rescue team and reducing the time needed to find an injured person." Prof Klaebe said Mr Zhu would be working with drones weighing less than two kilograms that were equivalent to models widely available to the public. The Australian government's science agency CSIRO had offered Mr Zhu a two-year scholarship worth $37,596 a year, awarded from its Data61 unit that focuses on AI, robotics and cybersecurity. Queensland University of Technology's website lists Mr Zhu as a current PhD candidate at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The website states Mr Zhu works with two other academics and a CSIRO staff member.
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Zelenskiy Rejects Giving Up Territory to Russia for Peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv won't cede territory to bring an end to war but is ready to work with US President Donald Trump for real and lasting peace. 'Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier,' Zelenskiy said in a post on Telegram and X that also called any deal reached without Kyiv's involvement as a 'dead solution.' Trump announced on Friday that he'll meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15, with the apparent exclusion of Zelenskiy from talks aimed at ending Russia's invasion of its neighbor, now well into its fourth year. Senior officials from Ukraine, the US and Europe are set to meet in the UK ahead of Trump's summit with Putin, according to people familiar with the plan. The comments were Zelenskiy's first response to news of that meeting as well as reports that talks between Washington and Moscow center around a deal that would lock in Russia's occupation of territory seized during its military invasion, according to people familiar. That includes a demand by Putin that Ukraine cede Crimea, which Kremlin forces illegally annexed in 2014, as well as its entire eastern Donbas area. It would require Zelenskiy to withdraw troops from parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions still held by Kyiv. Any decisions taken without Ukraine 'are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not achieve anything,' Zelenskiy said. 'The answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in the Constitution of Ukraine. No one will and will not be able to deviate from this.' Ukraine is ready to work with Trump and 'all our partners' for a 'peace that will not fall apart because of Moscow's desire,' Zelenskiy said. Amid preparations for talks, Russia and Ukraine continued to trade air attacks overnight. Through 8 a.m. Moscow time, Russia shot down a total of 118 Ukrainian drones over its territory, according to nation's defense ministry. Two UAVs targeting Moscow were downed in the morning, Russian capital's mayor said in Telegram posts. Ukraine's air forces on Telegram reported 47 drones and two Iskander missiles fired by Russia overnight. According to preliminary data, as of 9:00 a.m. local time, air defenses had repelled one Iskander missile and 16 UAVs. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Yemen Online
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Yemen Foils Drone Shipment Bound for Houthis via Aden Port
Aden – Yemeni counterterrorism forces have successfully intercepted a shipment of military-grade drones and weapon components en route to Houthi-controlled territories, according to an official statement released Wednesday. The operation, conducted in coordination with the Attorney General and Free Zone Security, targeted a commercial vessel arriving from China that had diverted its course from Hodeidah Port—under Houthi control—due to recent Israeli airstrikes on the area. Upon arrival at Aden Port, security teams identified and seized suspicious containers containing: - Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) - Advanced control units - Wireless communication devices - Assorted military equipment and spare parts Intelligence-Led Operation Authorities acted on precise intelligence indicating the vessel's cargo was intended for Houthi forces. The inspection, carried out on August 2, involved teams from customs, counterterrorism units, and port police, all operating under the supervision of the Specialized Criminal Prosecution Office. Evidence of Organized Smuggling Network Preliminary investigations confirmed that Hodeidah Port is being used as a hub for systematic arms smuggling to the Houthis. Officials stated that the seized shipment is part of a broader network supplying advanced military technologies to the group. A detailed report is being prepared for submission to the UN Security Council's Sanctions Committee, outlining the shipment's origin and its links to Houthi operatives. Strategic Implications This interception marks a significant blow to Houthi efforts to bolster their drone capabilities and underscores the growing threat of maritime arms trafficking in the region. Security officials praised the swift coordination among agencies and reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding Yemen's ports from illicit military activity.
