➀ The Australian Senate has passed a law banning under 16-year-olds from using social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram; ➁ The law requires platforms to implement age verification; ➂ The government plans to use biometric and behavioral data for age verification trials.

➀ Gilmour Space Technologies receives the first launch permit for an Australian orbital rocket; ➁ The permit is for the maiden launch of the Eris rocket at Bowen Orbital Spaceport; ➂ The company aims to deliver payloads up to 305 kg to LEO using a proprietary hybrid engine.

➀ Q-CTRL, an Australian quantum infrastructure software specialist, has raised $113 million in Series B funding with $59 million in new capital. The round was led by GP Bullhound and included new investors such as Alpha Edison, Lockheed Martin Ventures, and NTT Finance. ➁ Q-CTRL's founder and CEO, Michael Biercuk, emphasizes the importance of software as a key enabler for quantum hardware across various applications. ➂ The funding will be used to expand Q-CTRL's investment in quantum control R&D and product engineering to serve a growing list of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, government departments, and quantum platform providers.

➀ Northern Minerals, an Australian mining company, faced a corporate struggle with Chinese investors over control, highlighting global competition for critical minerals. ➁ The Australian government blocked a Chinese investor from increasing his stake due to national security concerns, leading to a government investigation. ➂ The case underscores the strategic importance of rare earths, with countries like Australia and the U.S. seeking to reduce dependence on China for these minerals.