NewzIntel.com

Category: Aviation

  • MIL-OSI Security: Delta Junction Woman Sentenced for Interfering with Joint Military Operations with a High-Powered Laser

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    FAIRBANKS, Alaska – A Delta Junction woman was sentenced today to three years’ probation after she interfered with joint military operations by pointing a high-powered laser at two helicopters.

    According to court documents, on Feb. 11, 2024, Canadian Military Aircrews were flying in two tactical helicopter squadrons near Allen Army Airfield near Delta Junction. Anchorage Airport Traffic Control contacted the Alaska State Troopers regarding a report from a Canadian Military Pilot that lasers were being pointed at his aircraft.

    Court documents explain that the pilot stated the aircraft was at about 4,200 feet of elevation, well above minimum flight requirements for that area, and in a holding pattern when one of the crew reported they were being hit with a green laser. The aircraft was orbiting for around 20 minutes and every time they passed over a certain cabin, they got hit with a laser. The aircraft descended to around 500 feet to prepare to land at Allen Army Airfield and got hit with the laser again. One of the crew pinpointed the laser to the certain cabin.

    Court documents further explain that Alaska State Troopers responded to the specific cabin and contacted Heide Goodermote, 49. Goodermote told law enforcement that the helicopters angered her, and further stated the helicopters had no right to fly over her property so she pointed a laser at them.

    On Feb. 15, 2024, law enforcement returned to seize the laser and identified it to be a class IIIB laser, which is a laser that emits between 5 and 500 milliwatts of output power and can cause immediate eye damage or skin burns. Three of the Canadian Air Force helicopter crew members reported injuries to their eyes because of Goodermote’s conduct.

    On Nov. 26, 2024, Goodermote pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assaulting or impeding certain officers or employees engaged in performing official duties.

    “Ms. Goodermote wrongly believed the helicopters had no right to fly over her property and decided to take matters into her own hands by shining a dangerous laser at the helicopters and crew that could have caused serious damage,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn R. Vogel for the District of Alaska. “We are thankful the incident did not result in substantial loss of life or property, but this case should serve as a reminder that putting other people’s well-being at risk when they are performing official duties as part of U.S. government operations, like a joint military exercise with foreign allies, is a prosecutable offense.”

    The FBI Anchorage Field Office, Fairbanks Resident Agency investigated the case, with assistance from the Alaska State Troopers.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Vosacek prosecuted the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Moran to Chair the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation recently announced U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) will serve as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation.

    “The subcommittee will work on legislation to advance policies that put safety first while bolstering innovation and efficiency,” said Sen. Moran. “Recent tragedies demonstrate that our nation’s aviation system is facing a critical inflection point, and as Chairman, I will work to make certain air travel remains the safest method of transportation. I also look forward to supporting our nation’s rapidly evolving commercial space sector by advancing policies which promote the industry’s growth and capabilities. Kansas is home to the Air Capital of the World, and my work on this subcommittee will be informed by the global aviation and aerospace companies that call our state home and the small businesses that fill critical links in our supply chains.”

    The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation has jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the civil aviation and space policy functions of the Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce and National Space Council within the Executive Office of the President.

    Chairman Moran’s Priorities for the 119th Congress:

    • Aviation Safety: Investigating recent aviation accidents and subsequent safety reports to make certain our nation’s aviation safety regulators are equipped and able to effectively manage our air travel equipment and systems.
    • Oversight: Ensuring the proper implementation the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which Sen. Moran helped draft and unanimously pass in both chambers of Congress, to address the current and future demands of the aviation industry.
    • Space Exploration: Supporting critical NASA programs, including the Artemis campaign, and prioritizing STEM education to equip the next generation to further our nation’s space goals.
    • Commercial Space Growth: Enabling growth in the commercial space sector, which is already supporting critical national security missions and bolstering the U.S. in our space race against China and other adversaries.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Portugal: EIB finances Galp’s Renewable Hydrogen and Biofuels projects in Sines with €430 million

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • The two projects, already in construction at the Sines Refinery, represent a total investment of €650 million.
    • The Biofuels unit, financed with €250 million, will produce low-carbon fuels essential for the decarbonization of transport.
    • The Green Hydrogen production unit, financed with €180 million, will be one of the largest in Europe.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €430 million loan for the construction of two key projects aimed at transforming Galp’s Sines Refinery, making a crucial contribution for the decarbonization of heavy-duty road transport and aviation.

    Galp is developing the Biofuels unit, already at a construction stage, in partnership with Japan’s Mitsui, as part of a total €400 million investment, of which €250 million is provided by the EIB. This unit will convert vegetable oils and residual fats into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel of biological origin (HVO) with identical characteristics to the fossil-based fuels used in regular combustion engines.

    This unit, set to begin production in 2026, will have the capacity to produce up to 270,000 tons of renewable fuels, enough for Portugal to comply with the European Union mandate for this type of fuels in aviation. SAF is essential for air transportation – responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions – to begin its decarbonization journey.

    In parallel, Galp is building in the same site a 100MW electrolyser, a €250 million investment of which the EIB will finance €180 million. It is set to produce up to 15,000 tons of green hydrogen per year when it goes online next year, becoming one of the first operational units of its size in Europe.

    “These pioneering projects are a clear example of how we can combine financing, innovation, and our environmental commitment to promote a fair and sustainable energy transition,” said Jean-Christophe Laloux, Director General, Head of EU Lending and Advisory at the EIB. “By supporting the production of advanced biofuels and green hydrogen, we are contributing to a more energy-independent Europe that aligns with global climate goals.”

    “We have mobilized partners, private investment, and European financing to drive a transformative project that brings European and national energy and industrial policies to life,” said Ronald Doesburg, Galp’s Executive Board Member responsible for the Industrial area. “More is needed from energy companies, public funding and government support if we want to maintain Portugal’s relevance in an increasingly unstable world,” he concluded.

    The two projects support the goal of climate neutrality by 2050, in line with the European Green Deal, and strengthen the EU’s energy independence as outlined in the REPowerEU plan. The projects benefit from €22,5 in Recovery and Resilience Plan incentives.

    Background information   

    About the EIB  

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world. 

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.   

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.   

    Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average. 

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    About Galp

    Galp is an energy company committed to developing efficient and sustainable solutions in its operations and the integrated offerings it provides to its customers. We create simple, flexible, and competitive solutions for energy or mobility needs, catering to large industries, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as individual consumers.

    Our portfolio includes various forms of energy – from electricity generated from renewable sources to natural gas and liquid fuels, including low-carbon options. As a producer, we engage in the extraction of oil and natural gas from reservoirs located kilometers below the ocean surface, and we are also one of the leading solar-based electricity producers in the Iberian region.

    We contribute to the economic development of the 10 countries where we operate and to the social progress of the communities that welcome us. Galp employs more than 7,000 people from 52 nationalities.

    Sines Advances Biofuels; Sines Green Hydrogen Production
    EIB finances Galp’s Renewable Hydrogen and Biofuels projects in Sines with €430 million
    ©EIB
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    Sines Advances Biofuels; Sines Green Hydrogen Production
    EIB finances Galp’s Renewable Hydrogen and Biofuels projects in Sines with €430 million
    ©Sines
    Download original

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Members of public welcome to watch 15th National Games Triathlon test event

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The 15th National Games Triathlon test event will be held at the Central Harbourfront and Victoria Harbour on March 1 (Saturday) and 2 (Sunday). Members of the public are welcome to watch the races on-the-spot.
     
         A total of around 110 athletes from the Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao will compete in the men’s individual, women’s individual, and mixed relay events, of whom 6 male athletes and 5 female athletes are from Hong Kong. The women’s individual and men’s individual races are scheduled for 8am and 10.30am respectively on March 1. The mixed relay race will take place at 2pm on March 2. It will be participated by 15 teams, each of which will comprise 2 male athletes and 2 female athletes.
     
         The starting point of the races will be located at the waterfront of the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade. Athletes will complete the swimming segment, immediately followed by the cycling segment and running segment. The cycling route will be between Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and International Finance Centre in Central, and the running route will mainly loop around the Central Harbourfront Promenade, passing by several iconic Hong Kong landmarks, including the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Central Government Offices, the Legislative Council Complex, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, with the finish line located at the Central Harbourfront Event Space. It is the first time that Hong Kong holds a triathlon mixed relay event and that part of the course and public seats are placed in the Central Harbourfront Event Space to facilitate the public viewing of the races.
     
         Members of the public who wish to have a close sight of the athletes competing in the races may visit the public viewing area at the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), which is accessible from MTR Admiralty Station Exit A via Tamar Park. No seating will be arranged. Tickets have been distributed to the public through the Triathlon Association of Hong Kong China. For those who possess a ticket may watch the event at the spectator stand in the Central Harbourfront Event Space after security check. Locations of the public viewing area and public entrance can be found in the annex. A small number of tickets have been reserved for each event day. Members of the public may get a ticket at the public entrance for admission while stocks last.
     
          Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) will provide live webcast of the events on the two days (RTHK weblink: www.rthk.hk/nationalgames and RTHK YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/RTHK).
     
         To facilitate the arrangement for the event, the Police will implement intermittent road closures and temporary road closure measures in the vicinities of Central Harbourfront and Wan Chai North (including Lung Wo Road, Yiu Sing Street, Lung Hop Street, Expo Drive, Expo Drive Central, and Expo Drive East). Intermittent road closures will be implemented from 5am to 8am on February 28, while temporary road closure measures will be put in place from 2am to 2pm on March 1 and from 8am to 6pm on March 2.
     
         In addition, the Police will set up a temporary restricted flying zone (RFZ), extending two kilometres outwards, from the race track from 7am to 1.30pm on March 1 and from 1pm to 5.30pm on March 2. No small unmanned aircraft, except those duly authorised, will be permitted to enter the zone. Details of the temporary RFZ will be shown on the electronic portal for small unmanned aircraft “eSUA”.
     
         For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements for the triathlon test event, members of the public may refer to the press release on the special traffic arrangements for the test event issued by the Police (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202502/24/P2025022400395.htm) and the Transport Department’s relevant notice (www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_13/TDN%20-Triathlon%20Test%20Event%20-%20eng%20v3.pdf), its mobile application “HKeMobility”, passenger notices issued by the relevant public transport operators.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Crucial European blacklist of unruly airline passengers to ensure aviation safety – E-000714/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000714/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tom Berendsen (PPE)

    All Europeans should be able to count on getting from A to B safely and as pleasantly as possible. The behaviour of passengers themselves also plays an important role in this. Their behaviour is more important in aviation than anywhere else. Passengers and crew members often sit there together for several hours in a rather small space without being able to take refuge elsewhere or call for help from law enforcement agents. This makes aviation especially vulnerable to unruly behaviour on the part of passengers. Accordingly, any precautionary measures we can take in this area are more than welcome.

    At present, airlines keep their own lists of unruly passengers. Therefore, pooling or sharing this information would be a small step towards reducing the number of unruly airline passengers and thus bolstering passenger and crew safety. Unfortunately, this is not always possible due to privacy rules. As a result, passengers who have caused trouble on one airline can travel on another airline without a care in the world. This undermines the deterrent effect that such a list should have, which is not the intention.

    In view of this:

    • 1.What steps need to be taken to remove obstacles to the creation of a European list of unruly airline passengers?
    • 2.Is the Commission prepared to draw up a European list of unruly airline passengers?

    Submitted: 17.2.2025

    Last updated: 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former federal officer guilty of money laundering

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HOUSTON –A former deportation officer has entered a guilty plea to charges of laundering money while working for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Christopher Washington Toral, 49, Spring, began working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2008 and was assigned to a processing center in Conroe.

    Over a two-month period in 2023, Toral agreed to transport $700,000 in drug proceeds under the protective cover of his position as a federal law enforcement officer.

    As part of an undercover operation, Toral agreed to transport a black bag containing $200,000 in cash from Dallas to Houston in February 2023. He believed this money was revenue from the sale of illegal narcotics. Later that same month, Toral repeated the trip, delivering an additional $200,000.

    In March 2023, Toral agreed to transport $300,000 from Newark, New Jersey, to Houston on a commercial flight. The money was represented to be the proceeds of drug trafficking. While carrying the illicit gains, Toral bypassed airport security and Transportation Security Administration checkpoints by exploiting his law enforcement position.

    Toral did all this in exchange for cash payments.

    “Christopher Toral swore to protect America from the cross-border crime and illegal immigration that threatens our national security….but he betrayed that oath,” said Ganjei. “Today’s guilty plea reflects our commitment to hold accountable those who would choose corruption and deception over faithful service to their country, their community, and their brothers and sisters in law enforcement.”

    “In choosing greed over duty, former ICE officer Christopher Toral disgraced the badge he vowed to uphold,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “His crimes – frequently conducted under the guise of a righteous law enforcement officer – betrayed all the men and women who tirelessly protect and serve their communities with integrity every day. FBI Houston proudly partnered with DHS-Office of Inspector General (OIG) to ensure Toral’s corrupt and deceitful activities were exposed and brought to justice.”

    “Today’s plea sends a clear message that federal employees who violate the trust of the public and break the law will be prosecuted,” said DHS-OIG Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari PhD. “DHS-OIG is grateful for our continued partnership with our law enforcement partners as we continue fighting corruption.”

    U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted the plea and set sentencing for May 15. At that time, Toral faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $1 million maximum fine.

    FBI and DHS-OIG conducted the investigation. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Ferko and John Marck are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Update 278 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Two weeks after it was hit by a drone, Ukrainian firefighters are still trying to extinguish smouldering fires within the large structure built over the reactor destroyed in the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear accident, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

    With unrestricted access, the IAEA team based at the site has been closely monitoring the situation following the strike early in the morning on 14 February that pierced a big hole in the New Safe Confinement (NSC), designed to prevent any potential release into the atmosphere of radioactive material from the Shelter Object covering the damaged reactor, and to protect it from external hazards.

    Frequent radiation monitoring carried out by Ukraine and independent measurements conducted by the IAEA continue to show normal levels within the NSC as well as elsewhere at the site of the Chornobyl plant.

    Aided by thermal imaging including the use of surveillance drones, Ukrainian experts have located smouldering fires in the insulation between the layers of the arch-shaped NSC structure, injecting water to put them out.

    Working in shifts, more than 400 emergency response personnel have been participating in the site’s efforts to manage the aftermath of the drone strike.

    “The firefighters and other responders are working very hard in difficult circumstances to manage the impact and consequences of the drone strike. It was clearly a serious incident in terms of nuclear safety, even though it could have been much worse. As I have stated repeatedly during this devastating war, attacking a nuclear facility must never happen,” Director General Grossi said.

    Further underlining persistent nuclear safety challenges during the military conflict, the IAEA team at the Chornobyl site has reported multiple air raid alarms during the past week, at times forcing the suspension of the activities to extinguish the fires in the NSC roof.  The IAEA was also informed of the presence of drones within five kilometers of the site, including two above one of the intermediate spent fuel storage facilities.

    Separately in Kyiv today, an IAEA expert team observed the remains of a drone that Ukraine said were collected following the strike on the NSC. The team observed drone parts that they assessed are consistent with a Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle. However, the team did not make any further assessment regarding the origin of the drone.

    Also this week, an IAEA team has been in Ukraine to conduct further visits to assess the status of electrical substations that are critical for the safety of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants (NPPs), but which suffered damage during widespread attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure in recent months.

    NPPs rely on such facilities both to receive the electricity they need for reactor cooling and other nuclear safety functions and to distribute the power they generate themselves.

    The IAEA team monitored the current condition of the substations and collected information to identify any further action that could be taken or technical assistance the Agency could provide to strengthen nuclear safety.

    At Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), the IAEA team reported that the site’s only remaining back-up 330 kilovolt (kV) power line was once again available after it was lost for around a week earlier in February due to unspecified military activities. However, the off-site power situation remains highly challenging at the site.  

    The IAEA team has continued to hear explosions on a daily basis, including some near the ZNPP site. On the evening of 24 February, the team heard multiple bursts of machine gun fire. No damage to the site was reported.

    Elsewhere in Ukraine, the IAEA teams at the three operating NPPs – Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine – have continued to hear air raid alarms on most days, with the team at the Khmelnytskyy site having to shelter at their hotel on one occasion this week.

    The team at the South Ukraine NPP was informed of drones observed three kilometers east of the site early on 25 February. The same morning the team heard anti-aircraft fire followed by an explosion some distance away.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Colombia wants to ban Pablo Escobar and other narco-themed merchandise – here’s why

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ross Bennett-Cook, PhD Researcher, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University

    When you think of Colombia, what images come to mind? For some, it may be coffee or perhaps the country’s diverse landscapes and cultures. For many others, it will be cartels, crime and cocaine.

    Colombia’s history as a drug trafficking hub plays a major role in attracting visitors to the country – a form of travel known as “dark tourism”. But the Colombian government and much of the population are desperate to shake off this sordid association.

    A new bill going through Colombia’s congress is proposing to ban the sale of souvenirs that depict notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar and other convicted criminals. The proposed law would mean fines for those who violate the rules, and a temporary suspension of businesses.

    Colombia became a major producer of cocaine in the 1970s, fuelled by demand in North America. Led by Escobar, the Medellín cartel dominated this trade, controlling roughly 80% of the cocaine supply to the US.

    In 1988, Time magazine famously dubbed Medellín the “most dangerous city” in the world. Car bombings, assassinations, kidnap and torture became part of everyday life. In a failed attempt to assassinate presidential hopeful César Gaviria in 1989, Escobar was even behind the bombing of a commercial flight that killed all 107 passengers and crew onboard.

    By 1991, the homicide rate in Medellín was a shocking 381 for every 100,000 inhabitants, with 7,500 people murdered in the city that year alone. In comparison, there were a total of 107 homicides in London in 2024.

    Nowadays, Medellín is much more peaceful. Since Escobar’s death in 1993, its homicide rate has dropped by 97% due to increased security crackdowns and peace deals between the narco gangs.

    Colombia now has a booming tourism industry, breaking records for its highest number of visitors in 2024. Medellín has even become a trendy location for digital nomads due to its exciting nightlife, stunning landscape and excellent weather.

    A tourist poses for a picture in the Comuna 13 neighbourhood of Medellín.
    Anamaria Mejia / Shutterstock

    Yet, when I visited Colombia in 2024, it was hard not to become infatuated by Escobar. His face is everywhere: on key rings, magnets, mugs and t-shirts, while you often see lookalikes posing for photographs. Even airports – the last place I would expect to be associated with drugs – stock Escobar souvenirs.

    A quick look on TripAdvisor’s “best things to do in Medellín” shows Museum Pablo Escobar at number one. Almost every tour in the city is related to the notorious cartel leader, including visits to the neighbourhoods he controlled (and often terrorised), his hideout spots, and the location of his final shootout with the police.

    Narco tourism’s boom can be largely attributed to the huge popularity of Narcos, a critically acclaimed series on Netflix that dramatised the life of Escobar. But shows such as Narcos have been criticised by some experts for glorifying the cartel lifestyle – focusing on money, glamour and sex rather than the harsh realities of life within Colombia’s drug trade.

    According to dark tourism researcher Diego Felipe Caicedo, popular media related to narco culture often portrays cartel members as heroes managing to defeat the class structure established by the elite capitalist system.

    This has resulted in a dissonant heritage of people like Escobar. To some, he is a Robin Hood-type figure who built houses and gave to the poor. To others, he is an evil figure and vicious murderer. And while Escobar did use some of his fortune to improve deprived neighbourhoods, many saw this as a tactic to buy loyalty and mask his criminal activity.

    The romanticism of Escobar angers many in Colombia who hate the idea of a murderous drug tycoon being the most recognised image of the country. In a city where almost every family knows of someone affected by the violent consequences of the drug trade, victims in Medellín now live with reminders plastered across storefronts, vendor stalls and tourist’s t-shirts.

    Yet those who rely on this souvenir trade are furious at the possibility of restrictions. In many developing tourist destinations, selling souvenirs is an accessible way of benefiting from tourism and can act as a gateway out of poverty.

    The souvenir trade is one of supply and demand – vendors are only selling Escobar souvenirs because they are the most popular. So, perhaps the focus should be on changing the attitudes and interests of tourists, rather than penalising the vendors.

    Controlling the narrative

    Camille Beauvais, a researcher of Colombian history, suggests it is up to local authorities to take control of the narrative through commemoration and education. This could follow the example of the anti-mafia museum in Palermo, Italy, which is designed to recognise the courage of the city and its people in standing up to criminal activity.

    Attempts like this could steer tourists away from sensationalist tours to a more nuanced and historically accurate representation of this turbulent time. But the Colombian authorities have, up to now, tried to ignore this important period in the country’s history.

    It was only in 2022 that the Colombia Truth Commission released an official report on the root causes of violence in Colombia, including governmental and international failures in tackling narcotraffickers.



    Read more:
    Dark tourism: why atrocity tourism is neither new nor weird

    However, some groups in Colombia have already tried to develop an alternate narrative. In 2019, the NGO Colombia ConMemoria (Colombia Remembers) created an online “Narcostore”, a fake souvenir website full of Escobar-themed products.

    When visitors clicked to purchase the item, they were redirected to video testimonies of those affected by the drugs trade, many of whom had lost friends or relatives to Escobar’s terror. The site reached 180 million visitors worldwide.

    Narco tourism does not seem to be disappearing. Fascination with true crime, drugs and cartels is as popular as ever. But perhaps these tourists should take a moment to consider how they might feel, if someone who had murdered their loved ones became a souvenir fridge magnet for people to remember their country by.

    Ross Bennett-Cook does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Colombia wants to ban Pablo Escobar and other narco-themed merchandise – here’s why – https://theconversation.com/colombia-wants-to-ban-pablo-escobar-and-other-narco-themed-merchandise-heres-why-249916

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A robot nearly headbutted a festival spectator in China – here are four urgent steps to make the tech safer

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Carl Strathearn, Lecturer in Computer Science, Edinburgh Napier University

    Humanoid robots will start to become much more common as prices tumble. thinkhubstudio

    Humanoid robots are supposed to be our loyal assistants, but we saw another side to them the other day. Chinese robot manufacturer Unitree was demonstrating its latest H1 robots at a lantern festival in the city of Taishan, Guangdong province, when one walked up to the crowd barrier and seemed to lunge at an elderly woman, nearly headbutting her.

    The incident quickly went viral, and sparked a fierce debate about whether the robot actually attacked the woman or had tripped up. It’s mostly being overlooked that we’re a long way from having robots that could intentionally attack someone – machines like these are often remote controlled – but the danger to the public is clearly real enough.

    With sales of humanoid robots set to skyrocket over the next decade, the public will increasingly be at risk from these kinds of incidents. In our view as robotics researchers, governments have put very little thought into the risks.

    Here are some urgent steps that they should take to make humanoid robots as safe as possible.

    1. Increase owner requirements

    The first important issue is to what extent humanoid robots will be controlled by users. Whereas Tesla’s Optimus can be remotely operated by people in a control centre, others such as the Unitree H1s are controlled by the user with a handheld joystick.

    Currently on sale for around £90,000, they come with a software development kit on which you can develop your own artificial intelligence (AI) system, though only to a limited extent. For example, it could say a sentence or recognise a face but not take your kids to school.

    Who is to blame if someone gets hurt or even killed by a human-controlled robot? It’s hard to know for sure – any discussion about liability would first involve proving whether the harm was caused by human error or a mechanical malfunction.

    This came up in a Florida case where a widower sued medical robot-maker Intuitive Surgical Inc over his wife’s death in 2022. Her death was linked to injuries she sustained from a heat burn in her intestine during an operation that was caused by a fault in one of the company’s machines.

    The case was dropped in 2024 after being partially dismissed by a district judge. But the fact that the widower sued the manufacturer rather than the medics demonstrated that the robotics industry needs a legal framework for preventing such situations as much as the public do.

    While for drones there are aviation laws and other restrictions to govern their use in public areas, there are no specific laws for walking robots.

    So far, the only place to have put forward governance guidelines is China’s Shanghai province. Published in summer 2024, these include stipulating that robots must not threaten human security, and that manufacturers must train users on how to use these machines ethically.

    For robots controlled by owners, in the UK there is currently nothing preventing someone from taking a robot dog out for a stroll in a busy park, or a humanoid robot to the pub for a pint.

    As a starting point, we could ban people from controlling robots under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when they are otherwise distracted such as using their phones. Their use could also be restricted in risky environments such as confined spaces with lots of members of the public, places with fire or chemical hazards, and the roofs of buildings.

    2. Improve design

    Robots that looks sleek and can dance and flip are fun to watch, but how safe are the audiences? Safe designs would consider everything from reducing cavities where fingers could get caught, to waterproofing internal components.

    Protective barriers or exoskeletons could further reduce unintended contact, while cushioning mechanisms could reduce the effect of an impact.

    Robots should be designed to signal their intent through lights, sounds and gestures. For example, they should arguably make a noise when entering a room so as not to surprise anyone.

    Even drones can alert their user if they lose signal or battery and need to return to home, and such mechanisms should also be built into walking robots. There are no legal requirements for any such features at present.

    ‘I am now exiting the room.’
    Simple Line

    It’s not that manufacturers are entirely ignoring these issues for walking robots. Unitree’s quadroped Go2, for instance, blinks and beeps when the battery is low or if it is overheating.

    It also has automatic emergency cut-offs in these situations, although they must be triggered by a remote operator when the robot is in “telemetric mode”. Crucially, however, there are no clear regulations to ensure that all manufacturers meet a certain safety standard.

    3. Train operators

    Clearly there will be dangers with robots using AI features, but remote-operated models could be even more dangerous. Mistakes could result from users’ lack of real-world training and experience in real-life situations.

    There appears to be a major skills gap in operator training, and robotics companies will need to prioritise this to ensure operators can control machines efficiently and safely.

    In addition, humans can have delayed reaction times and limited concentration, so we also need systems that can monitor the attention of robot operators and alert them to prevent accidents. This would be similar to the HGV-driver distraction-detection systems that were installed in vehicles in London in 2024.

    4. Educate the public

    The incident in China has highlighted current misconceptions about humanoid robots as the media is once again blaming AI despite the fact that this was not the issue. This risks causing widespread mistrust and confusion among the public.

    If people understand to what extent walking robots are owner-operated or remote-operated, it will change their expectations about what the robot might do, and make everyone safer as a result.

    Also, understanding the owner’s level of control is vital for managing buyers’ expectations and forewarning them about how much they’ll need to learn about operating and programming a robot before they buy one.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. A robot nearly headbutted a festival spectator in China – here are four urgent steps to make the tech safer – https://theconversation.com/a-robot-nearly-headbutted-a-festival-spectator-in-china-here-are-four-urgent-steps-to-make-the-tech-safer-250851

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: A dual challenge for the battery industry: ramping up production while innovating game-changing chemistries for the future

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press contact: 
    Florence Lièvre  
    Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 71  
    Email: florence.lievre@capgemini.com

    A dual challenge for the battery industry: ramping up production while innovating game-changing chemistries for the future

    • Battery innovation is fueling industry transformation, but overcoming current production ramp-up challenges will be crucial for European and US manufacturers
    • Lithium-ion batteries currently dominate due to their proven performance, scalability, and well-established supply chain, while next-generation batteries are gaining traction
    • 76% of manufacturers will need to upgrade or build new production lines to support the future generation of battery cells

    Paris, February 27, 2025 – The Capgemini Research Institute’s report ‘The battery revolution: Shaping tomorrow’s mobility and energy’, published today, shows that batteries are transforming existing industries and enabling the emergence of new business models. However, despite the surging demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and energy-storage solutions, the future of batteries depends on overcoming a series of complex challenges across the entire value chain, from securing sustainable raw materials and optimizing manufacturing processes to advancing recycling capabilities.

    According to the new report, the battery industry is reaching an inflection point, driven on the one hand by the need for higher energy density, faster charging times, improved safety, greater sustainability, and, on the other, the need for manufacturers to reduce costs.

    While batteries are playing a critical role in decarbonizing carbon-intensive mobility and driving the renewable energy transition1, the industry is facing series of challenges that have wide ranging implications for scaling production, gigafactory industrialization and ramp-up, economic viability, and supply chain constraints.

    Battery technology is constantly evolving to improve performance and reduce costs
    While almost all (98%) battery manufacturers surveyed produce lithium-ion batteries (using liquid electrolyte), the industry is actively exploring alternative chemistries to support electric mobility and accelerate energy storage. Amongst them, solid-state batteries (using solid electrolyte), represent a major shift in battery technology, primarily for EVs. They answer the need for improved performance owing to their potentially higher energy densities, faster charging times, and improved safety compared with traditional lithium-ion batteries.

    “Innovation is driving a sustainable and competitive battery industry, with advancements in technologies and alternative chemistries improving performance and longevity. At this transformative time, while European and North American manufacturers are navigating production ramp-ups and exploring next generation of batteries, a solid and scalable digital foundation will be crucial for the industry’s future,” said Pierre Bagnon, Global Head of Intelligent Industry Accelerator at Capgemini. “Data and digital technologies can enhance the entire battery value chain, optimizing lifecycle management from quality control to waste management and recycling. Equally, collaboration within an innovation ecosystem that brings together all players and regulators is vital to continue the industry’s journey towards a battery-driven sustainable future.”

    Advances will enable new business models but not without challenges
    According to the survey, batteries are enabling new business models in the mobility industry to make EVs accessible to a broader range of consumers: a majority (around 64%) of mobility players are exploring battery swapping; nearly two-thirds of automotive organizations are considering battery-leasing and over half Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model that allows EV owners to lease or rent their batteries, rather than buy them. However, the success of these business models depends heavily on the implementation of standards, battery performance notably regarding longevity, adequate infrastructure, and economies of scale.

    In the energy and utilities sector, two in five organizations say they are integrating batteries with renewable energy systems to optimize energy storage and usage, with most of them (69%) currently offering or planning to offer BaaS solutions. However, key challenges remain; while a battery is considered an expensive asset, the electricity it stores is relatively cheap. Furthermore, most organizations emphasize the lack of robust grid infrastructure and advanced control systems (65%); the need for multiple battery types to facilitate both short-term and long-term storage solutions (61%) and for open performance standards to ensure reliability and transparency (59%).

    Beyond the automotive and energy sectors, multiple industries are rapidly integrating batteries into their operations: three in five of the organizations surveyed stated that battery innovation will impact fleet operators and heavy transportation in the next 5-10 years. Disruptions are also expected in aviation and shipping. Innovations in these industries include battery-powered eVTOLs (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing), heavy-duty vehicles, and electric ships on short sea routes.

    Overcoming production ramp-up challenges with scalable digital foundations
    The battery industry is facing a number of complex and pressing challenges. Over half of battery manufacturers cite time required to build and ramp up gigafactories and difficulties in securing a stable supply chain for battery components and materials (respectively 59% and 53%). Uncertainty, around economic viability and profitability, appears as a key concern to scaling production.

    The scarcity of experienced talent also represents a significant challenge for the battery industry, with 60% of organizations facing skills shortages in both battery technology and manufacturing. Expertise gaps extend beyond specialized skills and encompass data scientists and manufacturing engineers who can analyze and correlate production data with battery performance, enabling process optimization and defect reduction.

    While batteries are key to decarbonizing carbon-intensive mobility and driving the renewable energy transition, only one in three battery manufacturers surveyed have taken meaningful steps toward establishing a sustainable circular economy.

    A majority (67%) of respondents acknowledge that data and digital technologies are crucial to the industry’s future. However, digitalization among battery manufacturers is currently low, at just 17% and data usage remains minimal in sustainability-related fields. In Europe, a Digital ‘battery passport’2, setting high environmental standards for battery production and recycling, will enable suppliers and OEMs to make informed decisions by considering the complete lifecycle of battery manufacturing.

    To read the full report: LINK

    Report Methodology
    The Capgemini Research Institute surveyed 750 senior executives from large battery, automotive, and energy and utilities organizations across 15 countries in North America, Europe, and APAC. The survey findings are complemented by in-depth discussions with 22 experts from battery, automotive, and energy and utilities sectors. The organizations surveyed are significant players in their respective segments, including battery manufacturers with annual revenue exceeding $50 million; energy and utilities firms with revenues over $1 billion (except those from Sweden and Norway, whose revenue exceeds $500 million); and automotive manufacturers with revenue above $1 billion (excluding two- and three- wheeler original equipment manufacturers [OEMs] with revenue over $300 million). The global survey was conducted in September-October 2024.

    About Capgemini
    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

    Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

    About the Capgemini Research Institute
    The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times – an industry first.

    Visit us at https://www.capgemini.com/researchinstitute/

    1 According to IEA, batteries account for 90% of the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE Scenario), with 60% of CO2 emissions reductions to be made in the energy sector by 2030 associated with batteries – Source: IEA, “Batteries and secure energy transitions,” April 2024.
    2 From February 2027, EVs sold within the EU must be equipped with ‘battery passports’ that provide detailed information on battery composition, including sources of key materials, carbon footprint, and recycled content.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SOMALIA – Ethiopian Prime Minister visits Mogadishu

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 27 February 2025

    Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) – Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Mogadishu today, February 27, where he was received at the airport by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohammed. This is an important step towards reconciliation between the two countries of the Horn of Africa, after the signing in December by Ethiopia and Somalia, under the auspices of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of the so-called “Ankara Declaration”.With this agreement, both sides committed themselves, among other things, to mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity. With the declaration signed in the Turkish capital, Ethiopia renounces the memorandum of January 1, 2024, with which Addis Ababa would have granted official recognition of the Somali secessionist region of Somaliland for a period of 50 years in exchange for access to the sea along a 20 km coastline for its “naval forces” (see Fides, 3/1/2024).The memorandum had been described by the Somali government in Mogadishu as an “attack on its territorial integrity” (see Fides, 9/1/2024). During 2024, the Turkish government offered its mediation between the two countries (see Fides, 2/7/2024), which led to the declaration signed in Ankara last December, in which Somalia agreed to work with Ethiopia “to provide it with reliable, safe and sustainable access to and from the sea under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia”.Ethiopia has also pledged to contribute 2,500 troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which replaces the previous African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which was also supported by the African Union. The Ethiopian contingent would be the second largest after the Ugandan contingent (4,500 troops). AUSSOM is intended to support the Somali army in the fight against the jihadist movements operating in the country.Turkey has long been present in Somalia with its own troops and military bases. After an initial period of tension, relations between Ethiopia and Turkey have eased, also thanks to the rapprochement between the political parties in power in the two countries, Ahmed’s Prosperity Party (PP) and Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). These days, a delegation of the Ethiopian PP is attending the 8th AKP Congress being held in Turkey. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 27/2/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Philippines should stop rights-infringing actions and false narratives：Defense Spokesperson 2025-02-27 “The fact about this incident is very clear. The Philippine public service aircraft, with many journalists aboard, barged into China’s territorial airspace over Huangyan Dao to provoke and play the victim,” said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

      BEIJING, Feb. 27 — “The fact about this incident is very clear. The Philippine public service aircraft, with many journalists aboard, barged into China’s territorial airspace over Huangyan Dao to provoke and play the victim,” said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.

      It is reported that the Philippine side claimed that a Chinese PLAN aircraft took dangerous maneuver against its public service aircraft, posing serious risk to the safety of its pilots and passengers.

      When being asked to share comment on this, the spokesperson made the above remarks and added that the Philippines’ provocation posed threats to China’s helicopter which was on a routine patrol, and was the real cause of air and maritime safety risks in this encounter.

      He also pointed out that intruding into other countries’ territorial airspace in breach of international law is more reckless and irresponsible than anything else and urged the Philippine side to immediately stop its rights-infringing actions, stop spreading false narratives, and work with the Chinese side to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Academic Council of the Polytechnic University: results of the winter session and implementation of the NCMU program

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On February 26, the Polytechnic University held a meeting of the Academic Council, where they honored polytechnicians who have achieved high results in various fields, discussed the results of the winter session, tasks for the spring semester, and the implementation of the NCMU program.

    First of all, the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy introduced the vice-rector for university security Alexander Airapetyan. Then the award ceremony began.

    The official part began with the honoring of the holders of the title “Honorary Worker of SPbPU”. This is a doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, professor of the Department of Physics Vadim Ivanov and candidate of technical sciences, associate professor of the Higher School of Mechanical Engineering, chairman of the Trade Union of Employees Valentin Kobchikov.

    SPbPU Distinction Badge “For Merit” The award was given to member of the Public Chamber of St. Petersburg, advisor to the president of PJSC Rostelecom, and 1978 graduate of the mechanical engineering faculty, Alexey Sergeev.

    Candidate of Economic Sciences diplomas were awarded to the Vice President, Director of the North-West macro-regional branch of PJSC Rostelecom Alexander Loginov (scientific supervisor – Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Vladimir Glukhov) and Acting Vice-Rector for Promising Projects Maria Vrublevskaya (scientific supervisor – Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Olga Kalinina).

    Certificates of conferring the academic title of associate professor were received by Denis Akhmetov, Anton Barabanov, Evgeny Borisov, Victoria Vilken, Irina Karpovich, Vladimir Kochemirovsky, Irina Russkova. The certificate was also presented to the Deputy Director of the Humanitarian Institute, associate professor of the Higher School of Linguistics and Pedagogy Tatyana Nam, along with a letter of gratitude from the Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov for initiative and active civic position, significant contribution to the development of volunteer activities.

    Certificates of professional and public accreditation of educational programs were received by the Director of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade Vladimir Shchepinin (23 programs), the Director of the Civil Engineering Institute Marina Petrochenko (13 programs) and the Director of the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity Dmitry Zegzhda (one program).

    Advisor to the rector’s office Vitaly Drobchik, head of the department for interaction with the media Evgeny Pleshachkov, as well as specialists of the Public Relations Department Vera Fatova, Ulyana Durova and Alina Melnikova were awarded with gratitude for holding the All-Russian student Olympiad “I am a professional”.

    The leadership of the Federal Security Service Directorate for Perm Krai expressed gratitude for modern forensic scientific developments and fruitful cooperation in joint work to prevent crimes against the security of the Russian Federation to the Director of the Higher School of Jurisprudence and Forensic Science Dmitry Mokhorov and Senior Lecturer Pavel Menshikov.

    A letter of gratitude from the educational foundation “Talent and Success” for fruitful cooperation, professionalism and high quality of organization of educational events – participants of the programs of the educational center “Sirius” was presented to the senior lecturer of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations Evgeniya Tuchkevich.

    Cups and certificates for 2nd place in the absolute team championship of St. Petersburg student competitions in 2024, as well as for 1st place in the team championship were awarded to the director of the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism Valery Sushchenko, the director of the sports club “Black Bears – Polytech” Anastasia Akatova and the leading specialist of the club Daria Khadjaridi.

    Senior Lecturer of the Department of Physical Training and Sports received cups and medals for 2nd overall team place at the All-Russian student orienteering competitions Tatyana Bevza, as well as students Ulyana Bryuchko (PhysMech) and Mikhail Belyakov (IFKST).

    For first place in the billiard competition “POOL-8” of the Spartakiad “Health – 2025” among teachers and employees of St. Petersburg universities, awards were given to the Director of the Higher School of Jurisprudence and Forensic Science Dmitry Mokhorov and the Head of the News Portal Department Evgeny Gusev.

    The winners of the 20th All-Russian conference-competition for students and postgraduates “Current Issues of Subsoil Use” were students of the Higher School of Industrial Management of IPMEiT Anastasia Malashchitskaya and Daria Moiseenko, a student of the Civil Engineering Institute Olga Loginova (scientific supervisor – PhD, Associate Professor Vitaly Kudinov), as well as a postgraduate student of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics of PMEiT Olga Bichevaya (scientific supervisor – Svetlana Gutman).

    The first issue on the agenda was summing up the results of the winter session of the 2024-2025 academic year: almost 70% of full-time students successfully passed the exams, which indicates a high level of preparation and a responsible approach to study.

    More than 7,500 students will receive scholarships based on the results of the midterm assessment, which is an important incentive for further improvement and striving for academic achievements. Such positive dynamics emphasize the effectiveness of the educational process and compliance with high standards of educational quality, – said Lyudmila Vladimirovna.

    She presented the positive experience of implementing the pilot program to support talented students “Leaders of Polytechnic”, launched at IMMiT: 94% of students in this program passed the session with “excellent” and “good” grades.

    The program has proven its effectiveness, helping participants to reveal their abilities and achieve outstanding results, and the results serve as a vivid example of how investments in talented youth bring results, contributing not only to the personal growth of students, but also to strengthening the university’s reputation as a center of attraction for gifted and promising specialists. Such high academic performance of the program participants emphasizes the importance of personalized work with each student, taking into account their individual characteristics and needs, – noted Lyudmila Pankova.

    One of the issues was the discussion of the plan for the transition to a new system for assessing learning outcomes based on individual achievements. The individual achievement system (IAS) being developed is a fundamentally new approach to assessing current monitoring of academic performance and midterm assessment. IAS will allow taking into account individual student achievements, including those outside the educational program, thereby increasing their motivation and ensuring an objective assessment of knowledge. For teachers, this is a tool for reducing routine workload, thanks to the automation of assessment processes, accounting, and recording of current control points.

    Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation of SPbPU, Head of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering” (AES), World-class scientific center of SPbPU “Advanced digital technologies” (NCMU) Alexey Borovkov presented the key results of the implementation of the NCMU program for 2024-2024 and spoke about the scientific and technological groundwork of the strategy and program for the university’s development until 2030 and 2036.

    Alexey Borovkov emphasized that the indicator of extra-budgetary financing of the world-class Scientific Center of SPbPU “Advanced Digital Technologies” is 101.7%, which is three times more than the average indicator for all scientific centers of medicine in Russia.

    Speaking about significant world-class research carried out by the SPbPU NCMU “Advanced Digital Technologies”, Aleksey Ivanovich highlighted the creation of a large-scale scientific and technological reserve in the field of technology for the development and application of digital twins of products, machines, and structuresDigital platform for the development and application of digital twins CML-Bench®. Compared to traditional approaches, the development of products and goods based on digital twin technology reduces time, financial and other resource costs by ten times or more.

    In conclusion, the speaker highlighted the important role of the SPbPU NCMU “Advanced Digital Technologies” in the SPbPU Technological Development Ecosystem, which ensures a balance of activities of different structures and the synergy of the best scientific technological and educational practices to achieve technological leadership, sovereignty and national security of Russia.

    The scientific and technological groundwork formed by the SPbPU NCMU on the CML-Bench® digital platform is the basis for the implementation of six national projects of technological leadership, enshrined in the development strategy of the Polytechnic University until 2030. For example, the promising direction of unmanned aircraft systems directly relies on the groundwork of the SPbPU NCMU “Advanced Digital Technologies” for several projects and developments at once. At the moment, we are actively working on creating a design environment and digital certification of unmanned aircraft systems, – shared Alexey Borovkov.

    In addition, at the meeting, members of the Academic Council voted to award the academic title of associate professor to Polytechnic employees: Maxim Izmailov (IPMET), Vasily Krundyshev (IKNK), Natalia Solodilova (IMMiT), Oleg Shagniev and Ilya Keresten (PISH CI Higher School of Advanced Digital Technologies).

    Academic Secretary Dmitry Karpov presented the work plan of the University Academic Council for the 2nd semester of the 2024-2025 academic year and reported on monitoring the implementation of the Academic Council’s decisions.

    The meeting concluded with a consideration of current issues.

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    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Drones Becoming Smaller, Lighter, More Reliable Allowing Them to Perform Broader Range of Tasks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Due to the advancements in software and artificial intelligence, the increasing use of drones is making it easier to control and automate them. They play a crucial role in improving farming techniques. Improving productivity, and are used for environmental monitoring, disaster relief, and search & rescue operations. Drones are becoming smaller, lighter, and more reliable, which allows them to perform a broader range of tasks. Their growing popularity stems from benefits such as improved efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety. The increase in precision farming needs, aiming to boost crop productivity, drives market growth. Drone OEMs are investing in R&D for thermal cameras, multispectral sensors, and LiDAR, improving drone efficacy in monitoring fields, creating vegetation maps, and detecting issues such as disease and irrigation irregularities. Thus, it drives the market growth during the forecast period. Agricultural drones, flying at a specific altitude with sensors, provide crucial analytical data for controls crop health, treatment, exploration, field soil analysis, and yield assessments, aiding farmers in making informed decisions and reducing time and costs. According to a report from MarketsAndMarkets “Commercial drones can be provided wireless coverage during emergency cases where each drone serves as an aerial wireless base station when the cellular network goes down. They can also be used to supplement the ground base station to provide better coverage and higher data rates for users. Drones can also assist various terrestrial networks, such as device-to-device and vehicular networks. For instance, due to their mobility and LOS Communications, drones can facilitate rapid formation dissemination among ground device. Furthermore, drones can potentially improve the reliability of wireless links in D2D and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications while exploiting transmit diversity.” Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS).

    MarketsAndMarkets continued: “Flying drones can help broadcast common information to ground devices, thereby reducing interferences in ground networks by decreasing the number of transmissions between devices. Based on operational mode, the commercial drone market has been classified into remotely piloted, optionally piloted, and fully autonomous. The remotely piloted segment is projected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period, driven by the cost-effective usage of remotely piloted UAVs in several applications ranging from defense operations to surveys. Fully autonomous drones significantly enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs across various end use such as agriculture, transport, logistics & warehousing, and Oil & Gas. Based on function, the Commercial Drone market has been segmented into passenger drones, inspection & monitoring drones, surveying & mapping drones, spraying & seeding drones, cargo air vehicles, and others. Passenger Drone segment is projected to record the highest growth during the forecast period with emergence of drone taxis as convenient means of aerial transportation of passenger at high speed.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) ZenaDrone Advances IQ Square Drone to Manufacturing Stage for Outdoor Applications Including Inspections, Surveys, and the Fast-Growth Power Washing Sector – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that its subsidiary ZenaDrone has moved its first batch of IQ Square multifunction drones from prototype to manufacturing stage. This drone was designed for outdoor applications for operator line-of-site inspections such as for building and construction inspections, short-range land surveys, power washing and other business and government applications. The IQ Square is also expected to be a key part of ZenaDrone’s multifunction drone inventory for its Drone as a Service or DaaS business, which enables business and government users to hire a turnkey drone service and drone pilot through a local store for easy subscription-based or pay-as-you-go access to drones for various uses.

    “The IQ Square’s rapid progression from the prototype stage, initiated in 2022, to the manufacturing and assembly stage is a testament to our hardware and engineering team’s dedication and hard work. We see many commercial and government applications for the IQ Square, which we also envision will be central to powering our future DaaS operations as a versatile multifunction drone for multiple outdoor uses requiring line-of-site including fast growth uses like power washing,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    The IQ Square will be equipped with a power wash system for use in larger-scale cleaning jobs such as stadium seating, building exteriors, and public spaces; drones eliminate the need for scaffolding, lifts, or manual labor by providing a more efficient, safe, and cost-effective solution. Tethered to a ground-based water and a power source, it is designed to maintain a continuous supply of high-pressure water needed to clean large areas without the weight limitations of onboard tanks.

    The mold and drone body frames of the first batch of IQ Square drones are currently being completed, after which they will be assembled, integrated, and tested at the company’s Sharjah, UAE production facility. The Company will oversee the integration and quality inspection of electronics, battery and propulsion systems, software, and sensor installation and calibration, concluding with final flight testing.

    According to QYResearch, the global market for drone cleaning services, including applications such as water hose-tethered power washing for stadium seats and public areas, is projected to reach approximately $53.89 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.3%.

    ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service or DaaS business model enables government agencies, building developers, entertainment facilities, farmers, environmental firms, etc. to conveniently access a turnkey drone solution via a local store on a pay-as-you-go or subscription basis rather than having to buy the entire drone hardware and software solution. Like Amazon Web Services, where Amazon owns computer equipment platforms and hires the personnel, with the DaaS model, ZenaDrone owns the drones, hires the pilots and ensures regulatory compliance to enable the cost savings, precision and efficiency of drones over existing legacy methods. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) recently confirms through recent sales activities its positioning and preparedness to support the enhancement of border security amid evolving global trade and security uncertainties and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Highlighting recent sales activities with policing agencies, Draganfly continues to strengthen its position to support border security with advanced drone technology solutions.

    “Recent global trade challenges, tariff uncertainties, and security concerns underscore the critical importance of secure borders and resilient supply chains,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly Inc. “Our recent sales activities with policing agencies is a testament to our ability and readiness to provide drone technology and services in support of border security solutions.”

    EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH) recently announced a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (“JAC Motors”) and Hefei Guoxian Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Guoxian Holdings”). Under this agreement, cooperation will focus on establishing a joint venture in Hefei to invest in the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing base for low-altitude aircraft. The facility will integrate advanced technology, standardization, and automation to produce intelligent and pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (“eVTOL”).

    The strategic cooperation signing ceremony was attended by key officials including Fei Yuan, Standing Committee Member of Hefei Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor of Hefei; Xingchu Xiang, Chairman, and General Manager of JAC Motors; Xingke Yin, Vice General Manager of JAC Motors; Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of EHang; and Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang. They were joined by other distinguished guests in witnessing the signing of the strategic cooperation agreement, marking a new milestone in the high-quality development of China’s low-altitude economy ecosystem.

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT) recently announced that its Black Widow drone and FlightWave Edge 130 were included on the list of 23 platforms and 14 unique components and capabilities selected as winners of the Blue UAS Refresh. The platforms will undergo National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) verification and cyber security review with the ultimate goal of joining the Blue UAS List.

    Over the coming months, the Blue UAS List and Blue UAS Framework will expand with new additions. The inclusion of the Black Widow and Edge 130 as winners of the Refresh further validates Red Cat’s commitment to delivering NDAA-compliant unmanned systems for defense and government applications.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS) recently announced its participation in the inaugural XPONENTIAL Europe trade show in Dusseldorf Germany held February 18-20, 2025. AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “Invaluable visibility was achieved at XPONENTIAL Europe as AgEagle further strengthened its leadership role in the worldwide UAS marketplace. Our entire product line was presented to a prominent and influential audience both directly by AgEagle and through our industry-leading partners. Notably, major European defense contractor Rheinmetall, presented AgEagle’s eBee VISION as an integral part of their offering as did Dronivo and MKS Servo. The diverse needs of European nations both commercially and defense-wise were reviewed with high-value insight provided by the congregation which included representatives from NATO. AgEagle remains committed to consistently expanding the capabilities and global footprint of our best-in-class UAS products as we continue to build long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

    XPONENTIAL Europe offered a unique combination of trade fair, live demonstrations and a top-class conference program. Daily keynotes by internationally renowned speakers before the start of the trade fair brought exhibitors and visitors together and provided important impetus for the future of autonomy. The tradeshow is the very first event put on by Messe Dusseldorf in partnership with AUVSI. Various members of the drone customer community were present, such as the German Bundeswehr and the U.S. Army, along with members of the press and industrial community.

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    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Launches Its Next Generation of Interactive Displays and Smart Signage

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced the launch of its latest display technologies — the WAF Interactive Display (model WAFX-P), 105-inch 5K UHD Smart Signage(model QPD-5K) and 115-inch 4K Smart Signage (model QHFX). First unveiled at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025 in Barcelona, this new generation of displays demonstrates Samsung’s continued leadership in delivering captivating visuals and cutting-edge features to shape user experiences for years to come.
    The WAF Interactive Display delivers best-in-class AI tools for educators
    Recently named the winner of Tech & Learning’s Best of Show at ISE 2025 award, the WAF Interactive Display (available in 65-, 75-, and 86-inch models) combines advanced AI capabilities with intuitive design to create more engaging and collaborative learning environments. Powered by the Android 14 operating system, it builds on the success of Samsung’s first Google Enterprise Devices Licensing Agreement (EDLA)-certified classroom display, the WAD series. The WAF allows educators and students to access services like Google Classroom and Google Drive, while expanding possibilities with the wide range of apps on the Google Play Store to enhance classroom instruction.

    At the heart of the WAF Interactive Display is the Samsung AI Class Assistant, a dedicated education solution designed to adapt, engage and transform classroom learning. The intelligent assistant provides educators with powerful tools to streamline lesson planning and create dynamic, interactive experiences to maximize learning outcomes. Key capabilities include:
    Circle to Search – Instantly delivers search results from trusted sources when users simply circle on-screen images or text, making it easier to explore new subjects.
    AI Summary – Automatically generates lesson recaps, simplifying post-class reviews for students and reducing lesson planning time for teachers.
    Live Transcript – Converts spoken words into real-time text, allowing students to revisit and reinforce classroom lessons at their own pace.

    “As the future of work and learning continues to evolve, Samsung remains at the forefront of innovation,” said David Phelps, Head of Display, Samsung Electronics America. “From AI-powered assistants to immersive picture quality, we are transforming how schools and businesses create impactful experiences. With our newest displays, we’re pioneering more meaningful and dynamic ways for people to connect and collaborate.”

    Supersized Smart Signage redefines collaboration and engagement
    Samsung’s newly released 105-inch UHD Smart Signage display comes with 5K resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio to elevate workplace collaboration and audience engagement. With a depth of just 48.1mm, the 105-inch QPD-5K display is slim with outward-facing ports to enable easy, flush wall mounting, making it a perfect fit for sleek and modern workspaces, retail stores and high-traffic places such as airports, rail stations or sports arenas. Users can make a big impression by installing the QPD-5K display vertically, with its screen reaching eight feet tall in portrait mode. Ultra-clear 5K resolution and non-glare technology ensure crisp, vivid visuals to deliver important information from every angle.

    The 105-inch display’s expansive, ultra-wide screen is an ideal solution for video conferencing in modern meeting spaces. Whether attendees are in-person or remote, the display fosters equal engagement and a collaborative meeting environment. Using the SmartView+ feature, attendees can wirelessly screen share up to 10 screens at once. Connectivity is enhanced with a USB-C port, allowing users to mirror screens and charge their devices at the same time.

    The 115-inch QHFX display expands the Smart Signage portfolio
    Samsung continues to expand its supersized Smart Signage portfolio with the 115-inch QHFX display, which earned recognition in the Video Monitors category at the Top New Technologies (TNT) Awards at ISE 2025 from Commercial Integrator. While the QPDX-5K model features a 21:9 aspect ratio, the QHFX offers additional versatility with its 16:9 aspect ratio and multi-view functionality that allows up to four split windows for displaying multiple content streams simultaneously.

    The QHFX also eliminates visible borders commonly associated with traditional video walls, creating an uninterrupted display that enhances any environment. This adaptability makes it suitable for settings that demand premium displays, such as meeting rooms and luxury retail stores. Equipped with QLED 4K resolution, 700 nits of maximum brightness and Tizen OS 8.0, it delivers vibrant content and smooth, reliable performance.

    Both the QPDX-5K and QHFX models integrate with Samsung’s SmartThings Pro solution for seamless control and monitoring of the display’s power and energy usage. Additionally, Samsung’s cloud-based VXT content management system empowers users with remote access to hardware settings and content creation and deployment across their entire display ecosystem.
    Looking ahead, Samsung will launch the latest version of VXT 3.0 on March 10, 2025. Continue following the Samsung U.S. Newsroom for updates on the latest features to further streamline remote device and content management.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Gatwick expansion unwanted, say Greens

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    by Green Party

    Responding to the Transport Secretary’s decision to pursue a positive decision for Gatwick Airport to bring its northern terminal into constant use, (1) Siân Berry Green MP for Brighton Pavilion said:

    “The Labour government is trashing its climate credentials one absurd decision at a time. Only one day after receiving critical advice from its own climate advisors on the need to lower flying demand, ministers continue to support yet more unnecessary expansion for the benefit of wealthy investors.

    “Pushing through these damaging plans shows such poor economic judgement. Over 100,000 extra flights a year won’t deliver for our communities. Labour should listen to the public who think airport expansion is the wrong priority. Most of us fly once a year if at all and would rather see cheaper train tickets and more bus routes instead to help with our daily journeys and create jobs where we live, in contrast with frequent flyers leaching money out of the economy.

    “The green economy grew by ten per cent last year, and this is where Labour should be investing to deliver high-wage, long-term jobs across the entire country.”

    (1) Transport planning: Gatwick Airport – GOV.UK

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Captivision Appoints John Jureller to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Captivision Inc. (“Captivision” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CAPT), a pioneering manufacturer and global LED solution provider, today announced the appointment of John Jureller to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Jureller will also serve as Chair of the Company’s Audit Committee, bringing extensive financial leadership and corporate governance expertise to the Company.

    With experience spanning consumer products, communications, private equity, real estate, and healthcare, Mr. Jureller has held key financial leadership roles at multinational public and private companies. He has played an instrumental role in growth capitalizations and strategic transactions for small and micro-cap companies. His former corporate affiliations include PepsiCo, Frontier Communications, General Atlantic and Bankers Trust (now part of Deutsche Bank).

    “We are pleased to welcome John to Captivision’s Board of Directors,” said Gary Garrabrant, Chairman and CEO of Captivision. “John brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our board and our company. His career is distinguished by a rare combination of leadership roles with major corporations and dynamic entrepreneurial enterprises.”

    Mr. Jureller holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and a B.S. with Distinction from Cornell University.

    About Captivision

    Captivision is a pioneering manufacturer of media glass, combining IT building material and architectural glass. The product has a boundless array of applications including entertainment media, information media, cultural and artistic content as well as marketing use cases. Captivision can transform any glass façade into a transparent media screen with real time live stream capability. Captivision is fast becoming a solution provider across the LED product spectrum.

    Captivision’s media glass and solutions have been implemented in hundreds of locations globally across sports stadiums, entertainment venues, casinos and hotels, convention centers, office and retail properties and airports. Learn more at http://www.captivision.com/.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies, or expectations for the Company’s respective businesses. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of the Company. Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts, and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this press release, words such as “believe”, “can”, “continue”, “expect”, “forecast”, “may”, “plan”, “project”, “should”, “will” or the negative of such terms, and similar expressions, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

    The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (1) the ability to raise financing in the future and to comply with restrictive covenants related to indebtedness; (2) the ability to realize the benefits expected from the business combination and the Company’s strategic direction; (3) the significant market adoption, demand and opportunities in the construction and digital out of home media industries for the Company’s products; (4) the ability to maintain the listing of the Company’s ordinary shares and warrants on Nasdaq; (5) the ability of the Company to remain competitive in the fourth generation architectural media glass industry in the face of future technological innovations; (6) the ability of the Company to execute its international expansion strategy; (7) the ability of the Company to protect its intellectual property rights; (8) the profitability of the Company’s larger projects, which are subject to protracted sales cycles; (9) whether the raw materials, components, finished goods, and services used by the Company to manufacture its products will continue to be available and will not be subject to significant price increases; (10) the IT, vertical real estate, and large format wallscape modified regulatory restrictions or building codes; (11) the ability of the Company’s manufacturing facilities to meet their projected manufacturing costs and production capacity; (12) the future financial performance of the Company; (13) the emergence of new technologies and the response of the Company’s customer base to those technologies; (14) the ability of the Company to retain or recruit, or to effect changes required in, its officers, key employees, or directors; (15) the ability of the Company to comply with laws and regulations applicable to its business; and (16) other risks and uncertainties set forth under the section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F entitled “Risk Factors.”

    These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release and the Company’s management team’s current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company and its directors, officers, and affiliates. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company management team’s views as of any subsequent date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update, add or to otherwise correct any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events, inaccuracies that become apparent after the date hereof or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

    Media Contact:
    Gateway Group
    Zach Kadletz
    +1 949-574-3860
    CAPT@gateway-grp.com

    Investor Contact:
    Gateway Group
    Ralf Esper
    +1 949-574-3860
    CAPT@gateway-grp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurates Udan Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurates Udan Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport

    Becomes 2nd airport after Kolkata to host pocket-friendly Udan Cafe

    Posted On: 27 FEB 2025 2:04PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, today inaugurated the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport, marking the second such facility under this groundbreaking initiative. The first UDAN Yatri Cafe was inaugurated on December 19, 2024, at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the historic airport. The Kolkata Cafe has been a resounding success, with travelers expressing high satisfaction with the quality, taste and cost of the offerings. Following immense passenger demand, the initiative is now being expanded nationwide.

    At the Chennai Airport, strategically located in the pre-check area of the T1 domestic terminal, the cafe will offer all connected passengers access to hygienic refreshments at following prices:

    S. No.

    Item

    Rate (Rs.)

    1.

    Water Bottle

    10

    2.

    Tea

    10

    3.

    Coffee

    20

    4.

    Samosa

    20

    5.

    Sweet of the day

    20

     

    Addressing the media, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu said, “The UDAN Yatri Cafe is a testament to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of inclusive flying, making air travel more convenient, accessible and affordable for all. Following its successful launch at Kolkata Airport, there has been strong demand from travelers to introduce this facility at other airports. After the eastern gateway of Kolkata, we are proud to bring the UDAN Yatri Cafe to the southern gateway, Chennai Airport which is one of the oldest and now the fifth busiest airport in the country, handling over 22 million passengers annually. We are committed to enhance passenger convenience here and with the Digi Yatra and Trusted Traveler Program E-gates, we are also providing a seamless, end-to-end digital travel experience.”

    Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu also shared that the 86,135 sq.m. expansion of Terminal 2 is underway to enhance international operations. Additionally, the refurbishment of Terminals 1 and 4 is progressing with an investment of over ₹75 crore, while a comprehensive traffic flow management system, costing ₹19 crore, is being implemented to ease city-side congestion.

    Beyond infrastructure, Chennai International Airport is dedicated to passenger convenience. Free buggy services for senior citizens and pregnant women, childcare rooms, medical facilities and modern lounges ensure that every effort is made to provide a comfortable travel experience. In the media interaction, Minister also highlighted that the Chennai Airport operates entirely on green energy and houses a 1.5 MW solar power plant as part of its commitment to environment.

    The UDAN Yatri Cafe inaugurated today aligns with the spirit of the UDAN scheme (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), aimed at democratizing air travel and modernizing airport infrastructure. The event was attended by Dr T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Tamil Nadu, senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, AAI and Chennai Airport, marking another milestone in the Ministry’s mission to enhance passenger experience and connectivity.

    ****

    Pawan Singh Faujdar/Divyanshu Kumar

    (Release ID: 2106580) Visitor Counter : 14

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Reverse combustion

    Source: European Investment Bank

    What if carbon dioxide could itself be turned into a fuel? Such a neat solution for the waste gas that’s causing climate change may be just round the corner, because German start-up INERATEC has developed a chemical process to do just that.

    “We’re reversing the combustion process,” explains Tim Boeltken, INERATEC’s chief executive. “The chemical process we’ve created takes the greenhouse gas CO2 that nobody wants and combines it with green hydrogen to create a synthetic hydrocarbon fuel.”

    INERATEC’s method could reduce emissions in a number of sectors that have few clean alternatives, including aviation, which accounts for a growing share of global greenhouse gas emissions. The company already has clients in the aviation, shipping and chemicals industries, but to demonstrate its technology at a larger scale, it is building a facility near Frankfurt airport with the backing of a €40 million venture debt loan from the European Investment Bank. The deal is supported by the European Union’s InvestEU programme and includes a €30 million grant from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, a financing platform for climate innovation founded by Bill Gates.

    “The aviation industry is struggling to decarbonize,” says Stephan Mitrakas, a senior loan officer who worked on the deal at the European Investment Bank. “Alternatives to jet fuel, such as electricity and hydrogen, both have major drawbacks and would require the development of a completely new infrastructure set up for transport, storage and fueling.”

    “The beauty of synthetic fuels is that you can keep the infrastructure we already have,” Mitrakas adds. “You can take the synthetic fuel from INERATEC, mix it in with the kerosene that planes currently use, and the aeroplane will work. INERATEC is the most promising start-up in the field right now, certainly in Europe and probably in the world.”

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Beam Global (Europe) Announces Record Orders in the First Two Months of 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM), a leading provider of innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for the electrification of transportation and energy security, today announced record sales for the first two months of 2025, in Europe. Beam Global has achieved a 79% increase in new contracted orders in its European division, compared to the same period in 2024, demonstrating that the European market represents a significant growth and diversification opportunity for the Company.

    Since the beginning of the year, contracted product sales have increased to a new record, driven by strong demand for street lighting and other infrastructure products.

    “Our expansion into Europe has created opportunities for sales growth, both in our renewably energized EV charging and energy security products, as well as in our smart cities and street lighting portfolios,” said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Beam Global. “While the new administration has created uncertainty around U.S. government EV adoption, EV sales were actually up 30% in the U.S. in January compared to 2024, according to Cox Automotive, and 34% in Europe, according to EuroNews. We intend to focus heavily on growing sales through our European operations while continuing to support the growth of EV charging requirements in the U.S. Congratulations to our European team for setting this new January and February sales record.”

    To foster growth and diversify revenue streams beyond the U.S, Beam Global is expanding its European presence through aggressive sales strategies. Most recently, Beam Global CEO, Desmond Wheatley, along with members of the European sales team, met with prospective customers, government officials, airport representatives, EV charging and e-bike sharing companies, and others in the UK, France, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Greece.

    Greater Europe represents the largest automobile market in the world, with over 405 million cars. A 2035 EU mandate bans the sale of internal combustion vehicles in less than ten years, while the EU also mandated a reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions of at least 55% by 2030. As a result, interest in Beam Global’s innovative and sustainable EV ARC™, BeamSpot™ BeamBike™ and BeamPatrol™ products are growing significantly in the region.

    About Beam Global
    Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Beam Global is headquartered in San Diego, CA with facilities in Chicago, IL and Belgrade and Kraljevo, Serbia. Beam Global is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol BEEM. For more information visit BeamForAll.com, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This Beam Global Press Release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements in this Press Release other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may,” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or results. These statements relate to future events or future results of operations. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause Beam Global’s actual results to be materially different from these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by law, Beam Global expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    Media Contact
    Andy Lovsted
    +1-858-335-8465
    Press@BeamForAll.com

    Investor Relations
    Luke Higgins
    +1-858-799-4583
    IR@BeamForAll.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £230m DHL investment in Coventry to create hundreds of local jobs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    £230m DHL investment in Coventry to create hundreds of local jobs

    DHL Group has announced a £230 million e-commerce hub investment in Coventry creating up to 600 local jobs.

    • Major £230m investment in new state-of-the-art e-commerce hub in Coventry will create up to 600 local jobs.
    • New hub near Coventry Airport can handle up to 1 million parcels a day and is part of DHL e-Commerce’s wider £482m investment into the UK.
    • Minister Justin Madders will open the hub today, celebrating the latest in a series of job-boosting investments across the country.

    Logistics giant DHL has invested £230 million in a new state-of-the-art e-commerce hub in Coventry which will create up to 600 local jobs, in the latest in a series of job-boosting investments across the UK. 

    Today (27 February), Business Minister Justin Madders will formally open the new hub which covers 25,000 m² of space and can handle up to a million parcels a day, speeding up delivery times for UK consumers in a major win to the Coventry and wider West Midlands economy. 

    During his visit, the Minister will meet with DHL Group’s senior leadership, including CEO of DHL eCommerce Pablo Ciano, tour the new site to see the latest e-commerce technologies in action, and learn about how the new hub will benefit not only Coventry but the wider West Midlands.

    This announcement comes as the latest research shows the UK is expected to reach a turnover in e-commerce of £176 billion by 2029, leading all European economies. The latest figures from the Department for Business & Trade also show the West Midlands region landed 133 foreign direct investments in 2023/24, generating 7,581 new jobs.

    Securing investment is central to the Government’s mission to deliver economic growth which will create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off as part of our Plan for Change.

    Since entering office, the Government has been focused on restoring economic stability – which is the foundation of growth – to give businesses the confidence to invest and expand in the UK, and today’s announcement from DHL is a major vote of confidence in the UK’s investment environment.  

    Business Minister Justin Madders said:

    The West Midlands is a powerhouse for investment, and this state-of-the-art hub in Coventry will not only create hundreds of local jobs but give a major boost to our logistics sector and speed up delivery times for consumers. 

    The UK is open for business, and DHL’s investment is the latest vote of confidence in the country which will deliver economic growth and raise living standards, showing our Plan for Change is working.

    Stuart Hill, CEO of DHL eCommerce UK said:

    As e-commerce continues to shape the way we live and work, this expansion will enable us to meet growing demand. The investment reflects our confidence in British business and our dedication to helping our customers thrive in the digital marketplace through innovation and best-in-class service delivery.

    By increasing our capacity with a state-of-the-art operation, we’re creating long-term jobs, growth opportunities for our customers and a blueprint for more sustainable logistics.

    DHL’s cutting-edge new site will help to grow UK e-commerce businesses and improve delivery to consumers across the UK, as well as improving export logistics for businesses in the region. The hub features secure bonded storage and customs capabilities to support international e-commerce, making it quicker and easier to dispatch parcels internationally.  

    The hub also provides EV charging points and 7,000m² of solar panels along with LED lighting. This minimises the site’s environmental impact and preserves the area’s natural biodiversity – supporting the government’s ambitions to make the UK a clean energy superpower. 

    Economic growth is the foundation of our Plan for Change, and DHL’s vote of confidence will play a vital role in not only unlocking further investment but turbocharging the UK’s logistics sector. 

    DHL’s announcement today is the latest in a series of recent investment wins for the UK, including: 

    • Creating nearly 38,000 jobs across the UK following our record-breaking International Investment Summit last October, with £63 billion worth of investment secured by companies such as Amazon Web Services, Iberdrola and Octopus Energy.
    • Car manufacturer Nissan, and the Japan Automatic Transmission Company (JATCO) securing a £50 million investment deal in partnership with the government to create a new manufacturing plant in Sunderland.
    • US company Knighthead’s £3 billion regeneration project in East Birmingham, creating 8,400 new jobs annually, paving the way for a new 60,000-seater stadium alongside a sports campus of training facilities, a new academy, and community pitches.
    • Rolls Royce investing £300m in the expansion of their Goodwood facility to meet the growing demand for bespoke upgrades.
    • JLR investing £500 million in its Halewood facility to enable the production of electric vehicles, alongside existing combustion and hybrid models.
    • Blackstone’s £10 billion investment to create the biggest AI data centre in Europe, creating 4000 jobs.
    • Eren Holding investing £1 billion in the redevelopment of Shotton Mill in North Wales, safeguarding 147 jobs and creating a further 220 jobs.
    • Heathrow Airport announcing a multibillion-pound investment programme to expand the airport, including new terminal buildings, aircraft stands, passenger infrastructure and work towards its third runway.

    Background:

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AAIB Report: ATR 72-500 (72-212A), LY-JUP

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    AAIB Report: ATR 72-500 (72-212A), LY-JUP

    ATR 72-500 (LY-JUP), continued approach in fog, Guernsey Airport, 12 August 2024

    Airport CCTV images looking south over the Runway 27 touchdown zone (times are BST)

    On approach to Runway 27 at Guernsey Airport, the crew of LY-JUP continued to descend below the approach ban altitude despite the reported Runway Visual Range (RVR) being below that required. After passing through approach minima, and at around 70 ft agl, a go-around was initiated. After the power levers were advanced the aircraft remained between 61 and 78 ft agl for 15 seconds before a climb was established. The flight diverted to Southampton Airport where it landed without further incident.

    Although both crew members were aware of the approach ban, it was not discussed before or during the approach. As the aircraft passed the decision altitude for the approach, there was confusion and miscommunication between the crew which resulted in the aircraft remaining more or less level with the gear down.

    The operator has taken a number of safety actions to improve the selection and training of crews as well as to introduce a Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) programme.

    Read the report.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Eugene Doyle: Yellow Peril!  Red Peril! ‘We cannot hide anymore’. Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea. 

    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. –

    COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle

    The Western media went into overdrive this week to work the laconic Kiwis into a mild frenzy over three Chinese naval vessels conducting exercises in the Tasman Sea a few thousand kilometres off our shores.

    What was really behind this orchestrated campaign?

    The New Zealand government led the rhetorical charge over the Hengyang, the Zunyi and the Weishanhu in mare nostrum (“Our Sea”, as the Romans liked to call the Mediterranean).

     “We cannot hide at this end of the world anymore,” Defence Minister Judith Collins said in light of three Chinese boats in the Tasman.

    Warrior academics were next . “We need to go to the cutting edge, and we need to do that really, really fast,” the ever-reliable China hawk Anne-Marie Brady of Canterbury University said, telling 1 News the message of the live-firing exercises was that China wants to rule the waves.

    The British Financial Times chimed in with a warning that “A confronting strategic future is arriving fast”.

    Could this have anything to do with the fact we are fast approaching the New Zealand government’s 2025 budget and that they — and their Australian, US and UK allies — are intent on a major increase in Kiwi defence funding, moving from around 1.2 percent of GDP to possibly two percent? A long-anticipated Defence Capability Review is also around the corner and is likely to come with quite a shopping list of expensive gear.

    The New Zealand government led the rhetorical charge over the Hengyang, the Zunyi and the Weishanhu in mare nostrum (“Our Sea”, as the Romans liked to call the Mediterranean). Image: www.solidarity.co.nz

    What’s good for the goose . . .
    It is worth pointing out that New Zealand and Australian warships sailed through the contested Taiwan Strait and elsewhere in the South China Sea as recently as September 2024. What’s good for the goose is good for the Panda.

    And, of course, at any one time about 20 US nuclear submarines are prowling in the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. Each can carry missiles the equivalent of over 1000 Hiroshima bombs — truly apocalyptic.

    Veteran New Zealand peace campaigner Mike Smith (a friend) was not in total disagreement with the hawks when it came to the argy-bargy in the Tasman.

    “The emergence apparently from nowhere of a Chinese naval expedition in our waters I think may be intended to demonstrate that they have a large and very capable blue water navy now and won’t be penned in by AUKUS submarines when and if they arrive off their coast.

    “I think the main message is to the Australians: if you want to homebase nuclear-capable B-52s we have more than one way to come at you. That was also the message of the ICBM they sent into the Pacific: Australia is no longer an unsinkable aircraft carrier.”

    According to the Asia Times, China fired the ICBM — the first such shot into the Pacific by China — just days after HMNZS Aotearoa sailed through the Taiwan Strait with Australian vessel HMAS Sydney.

    Smith says our focus should be on building positive relationships in the Pacific on our terms. “Buying expensive popguns will not save us.”

    China Scare a page out of Australia’s Red Scare playbook
    For people good at pattern recognition this week’s China Scare was obviously a page or two out of the same playbook that duped a majority of Australians into believing China was going to invade Australia. They were lulled into a false sense of insecurity back in 2021 — the mediascape flooded with Red Alert, China panic stories about imminent war with the rising Asian power.

    As a sign of how successful the mainstream media can be in generating fear that precedes major policy shifts: research by Australia’s Institute of International & Security Affairs showed that more Australians thought that China would soon attack Australia than Taiwanese believed China would attack Taiwan!

    Once the population was conditioned, they woke one morning in September 2021 with the momentous news that Australia had ditched a $90 billion submarine defence deal with France and the country was now part of a new anti-Chinese military alliance called AUKUS. This was the playbook that came to mind last week.

    There are strong, rational arguments that could be made to increase our spending at this time. But I loathe and decry this kind of manipulation, this manufacturing of consent.

    I also fear what those billions of dollars will be used for. Defending our coastlines is one thing; joining an anti-Chinese military alliance to please the US is quite another.

    Prime Minister Luxon has called China — our biggest trading partner — a strategic competitor. He has also suggested, somewhat ludicrously, that our military could be a “force multiplier” for Team AUKUS.

    We are hitching ourselves to the US at the very time they have proven they treat allies as vassals, threatened to annex Greenland and the Panama Canal, continue to commit genocide in Gaza, and are now imposing an unequal treaty on Ukraine.


    Australia’s ABC News on Foreign Minister Winston Peter’s talks in China. Video: ABC

    Whose side – or calmer independence?
    Whose side should we be on? Or should we return to a calmer, more independent posture?

    And then there’s the question of priorities. The hawks may convince the New Zealand population that the China threat is serious enough that we should forgo spending money on child poverty, fixing our ageing infrastructure, investing in health and education and instead, as per pressure from our AUKUS partners, spend some serious coin — billions of dollars more — on defence.

    Climate change is one battle that is being fought and lost. Will climate funding get the bullet so we can spend on military hardware? That would certainly get a frosty reaction from Pacific nations at the front edge of sea rise.

    The government in New Zealand is literally taking the food out of children’s mouths to fund weapons systems. The Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme provides nutritious lunches every day to a quarter of a million of New Zealand’s most needy children.

    Its funding has recently been slashed by over $100 million by the government despite its own advisors telling it that such programmes have profound long-term wellbeing benefits and contribute significantly to equity. In the next breath we are told we need to boost funding for our military.

    The US appears determined to set itself on a collision course with China but we don’t have to be crash test dummies sitting alongside them. Prudence, preparedness, vigilance and risk-management are all to be devoutly wished for; hitching our fate to a hostile US containment strategy is bad policy both in economic and defence terms.

    In the absence of a functioning media — one that showcases diverse perspectives and challenges power rather than works hand-in-glove with it — populations have been enlisted in the most abhorrent and idiotic campaigns: the Red Peril, the Jewish Peril and the Black Peril (in South Africa and the southern states of the USA), to name three.

    Our media-political-military complex is at it again with this one — a kind of Yellow Peril Redux.

    New Zealand trails behind both Australia and China in development assistance to the Pacific. If we wish to “counter” China, supporting our neighbours would be a better investment than encouraging an unwinnable arms race.

    In tandem, I would advocate for a far deeper diplomatic and cultural push to understand and engage with China; that would do more to keep the region peaceful and may arrest the slow move in China towards seeking other markets for the high-quality primary produce that an increasingly bellicose New Zealand still wishes to sell them.

    Let’s be friends to all, enemies of none. Keep the Pacific peaceful, neutral and nuclear-free.

    Eugene Doyle is a community organiser and activist in Wellington, New Zealand. He received an Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian award in 2023 for community service. His first demonstration was at the age of 12 against the Vietnam War. This article was first published at his public policy website Solidarity and he is a regular contributor to Asia Pacific Report and Café Pacific.

    This article was first published on Café Pacific.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Grattan on Friday: Albanese falls victim to a Chinese burn

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    As the Albanese government struggles to stay on its political feet, who would have thought the China issue would suddenly insert itself into the campaign, leaving the prime minister looking, at best, flat-footed?

    Improving and stabilising what had become a toxic bilateral relationship under Scott Morrison has been one of the Albanese government’s major pluses in its foreign and trade policy.

    China has taken off all of the roughly $20 billion in barriers it had enacted on Australian exports. Australian lobsters are back on Chinese menus. And who can forget the PM’s visit to China, when he was lauded as “a handsome boy”.

    But now, almost on the eve of the election campaign, a Chinese military exercise in the Tasman Sea has not just reminded Australians of Chinese military power, but has left the PM appearing poorly informed. Or not wanting to offend the Chinese.

    Of course, China did not set out to force Anthony Albanese into what were publicly misleading comments. That was all his own doing.

    The China incident was on the morning of Friday last week, when its navy commenced the live-fire exercise.

    Albanese was briefed on Friday afternoon. Later in the day, a reporter asked him about an ABC report of “commercial pilots [being] warned about a potential hazard in airspace” where three Chinese warships had been sailing.

    The PM said: “China issued, in accordance with practice, an alert that it would be conducting these activities, including the potential use of live fire”. This told, at best, a sliver of what was a rather alarming story.

    The government says the Chinese had acted in accordance with the law but the amount of notice they’d given (which was not provided directly to Australia) was inadequate. Representations about this were made by Foreign Minister Penny Wong to the Chinese.

    It took evidence before Senate estimates hearings this week to paint a full picture of what happened.

    On Monday, Rob Sharp, CEO of Airservices Australia (the country’s civil air navigation services provider) told senators: “We became aware at two minutes to ten on Friday morning – and it was, in fact, a Virgin Australia aircraft that advised one of our air traffic controllers – that a foreign warship was broadcasting that they were conducting a live firing 300 nautical miles east off our coast. So that’s how we first found out about the issue.”

    Initially, “we didn’t know whether it was a potential hoax or real”.

    Meanwhile, a number of commercial planes were in the air and some diverted their routes.

    On Wednesday, Australian Defence Force Chief David Johnston was asked at another estimates hearing whether Defence was only notified of what was happening from a Virgin flight and Airservices Australia 28 minutes after the Chinese operation firing window commenced. Johnston’s one-word reply was “Yes”.

    Australia does not know whether the Chinese ships, which proceeded towards Tasmania, intend to circumnavigate the continent, or whether they have been accompanied by a submarine.

    Relations with China won’t be a first-order issue with most voters at this cost-of-living election. But these events play to the Dutton opposition, for whom national security is home-ground territory.

    They reinforce the broader impression, which has taken hold, of Albanese being poor with detail.

    Dutton said on Sydney radio on Thursday, “I don’t know whether he makes things up, but he seems to get flustered in press conferences. You hear it – the umming and ahing, and at the end of it, you don’t know what he’s actually said.

    “But what we do know is that he is at odds with the chief of the Defence force, and he needs to explain why, on such a totemic issue, he either wasn’t briefed, that he’s made up the facts, that he’s got it wrong.”

    Wong hit back, “We have been very clear China is going to keep being China, just as Mr Dutton isn’t going to stop being Mr Dutton – the man who once said it was inconceivable we wouldn’t go to war is going to keep beating the drums of war.

    “The Labor government will be calm and consistent; not reckless and arrogant.”

    There’s one political complication for Dutton in seeking to exploit the China issue. Despite his natural hawkishness, in recent times he has been treading more softly on China, with an eye to the importance of voters of Chinese heritage in some seats.

    The Trump administration has dramatically increased the uncertainty of the international outlook that the Australian government, whether Labor or Coalition, will face during the next parliamentary term.

    Defence Minister Richard Marles this week talked up the US administration’s policy in the region. “We are very encouraged by the focus that the Trump Administration is giving in terms of its strategic thinking to the Indo Pacific.”

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who was in Washington lobbying for a tariff exemption was also, declared that “the alliance and the economic partnership between Australia and the US is as strong as it’s ever been.”

    Whether we get that exemption will be an early indication of where we stand in terms of the special relationship with the US. But who knows what the US might want in return.

    A volatile world and perhaps pressure from the US may push Australia into spending more on defence, which on present planning is due to tick past 2% of GDP.

    Dutton has already said he would put more funding into defence, although, like most other aspects of opposition policy, the amount is vague. The Coalition says when it produces its costing (which will be in the last days before the election) there will be more precision.

    We’ve yet to see how the crucial US-China relationship evolves. That trajectory will have implications for Australia, positive or negative. On the very worst scenario, if China, encouraged by US President Donald Trump’s benign attitude to Russia, moves on Taiwan, the security of which the president has refused to guarantee, that could produce a dire situation in the region.

    Australia remains confident of continuing American support for AUKUS. But if Trump becomes even more arbitrary and adventurous, AUKUS could become a lot less popular not in America but in Australia.

    Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Grattan on Friday: Albanese falls victim to a Chinese burn – https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-albanese-falls-victim-to-a-chinese-burn-251029

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing’s Daxing airport economic zone seeks business cooperation

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Beijing Daxing International Airport Economic Zone (BDIAEZ) held an industry promotion event Wednesday, attracting entrepreneurs and business leaders to explore cooperation opportunities in aviation logistics, life sciences and health care.

    An industry promotion event exploring business cooperation opportunities is held in the Beijing Daxing International Airport Economic Zone, Feb. 26, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

    At the event, several specialized industrial parks and platforms were introduced, including the International Regenerative Medicine Industrial Park, the International Medical Equipment Industrial Park, and the International Aviation Headquarters Park. These initiatives are designed to gather innovative resources, strengthen industrial clusters and drive regional economic growth.

    In recent years, the BDIAEZ has prioritized its life sciences sector by establishing platforms that support the development of cell technology and medical supply chains. The goal is to attract high-end enterprises and lay a solid foundation for a world-class health cluster. To further enhance trade and logistics capabilities, the zone also launched platforms for industrial goods supply chains and cross-border e-commerce, which are expected to improve operational efficiency and foster industry development.

    Six projects were also signed at the event, covering areas such as aviation services, life and health, trade logistics and emerging industries. Key projects include the Low-altitude Technology Exhibition and Trading Center, which will showcase next-generation aviation innovations, and the Xinzhuoyue Regenerative Medicine R&D Headquarters, which is set to work with the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on cell-based therapies. 

    Wahed Ahmadzai, CEO and founder of nHUB, a Beijing-based company committed to building inclusive hubs, noted the BDIAEZ’s strategic importance, calling it the “gateway to China and China’s gateway to the world.” He added that the BDIAEZ’s prime location, together with multiple supportive policies, makes it an exceptionally attractive environment for building and innovating businesses.

    Xu Guojin, general manager of Beijing Zhengkai Technology Co. Ltd., expressed confidence about future cooperation with the BDIAEZ. “The most appealing aspect is the combination of national, municipal and district-level advantages, along with the unique policies of the airport zone,” she said. “Combined with the benefits offered by the comprehensive bonded zone and free trade zone, this synergy is highly attractive to my company and future partners.”

    Strategic development plans for Beijing Daxing International Airport were also released at the event. These include the construction of four runways, 256 aircraft parking bays, and a terminal complex spanning 1.43 million square meters. The airport aims to handle 72 million passengers and 630,000 aircraft movements annually. 

    This expansion underscores the airport’s role not simply as a transportation hub, but as a key driver for future economic development in the region, according to a representative from Beijing Daxing International Airport.

    In addition, the event saw the launch of two international talent programs. In partnership with the National School of Development at Peking University, the BDIAEZ will establish a talent base to train professionals and foster entrepreneurship in fields like aviation logistics, e-commerce and biomedicine. Separately, the “Vine Plan” International Innovation Center will connect businesses with international students through internships, study tours and incubation programs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: IndiGo YouTube ads reflect seamless travel, workplace inclusivity and authentic experiences, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    IndiGo YouTube ads reflect seamless travel, workplace inclusivity and authentic experiences, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    Interglobe Aviation Ltd’s (IndiGo) YouTube advertising campaign from November 2024 to January 2025 emphasize diverse destinations, employee well-being, and passenger-centric amenities to attract travelers and job seekers. IndiGo highlights authentic experiences, career growth, and innovative seating through scenic visuals, employee testimonials, and product demos. Emphasizing pilot mentorship, a supportive workplace, and seamless travel, it reinforces customer satisfaction and inclusivity, reveals Global Ads Platform of GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Sagar Kishor, Ads Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “IndiGo’s campaigns establish strong engagement with both travelers and employees through aspects such as the joy of travel, commitment to employee growth, and enhanced comfort. These advertisements highlight IndiGo’s strategies, including showcasing authentic Indian travel experiences and celebrating employee diversity, while also introducing new product offerings like IndiGoStretch. The company’s initiatives in expanding destinations, pilot mentoring, and inclusivity emphasize seamless travel and personalized support.”

    Below are the key focus areas of IndiGo’s advertisements, revealed by GlobalData’s Global Ads Platform:

    Destination awareness: IndiGo’s promotion of new flight routes to Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, and Penang, emphasized the country’s diverse landscapes and cultural attractions. By linking these captivating locations to IndiGo flights, the campaign subtly promotes ease of access, positioning the airline as a gateway to new experiences and adventures.

    Authentic engagement: The #nofilter campaign for IndiGo Season 2 on National Geographic highlighted the natural beauty and cultural richness of India. The campaign encouraged viewers to experience India in its true essence, promoting IndiGo as the airline to facilitate those experiences.

    Travel experience and comfort: The IndiGoStretch advertisement highlights the additional legroom and comfort of its premium seating, targeting travellers seeking a more spacious and relaxing journey. The campaign emphasizes enhanced passenger experience, positioning the offering as a value-driven choice for improved in-flight comfort.

    Holiday spirit and connection: The “Captain Santa Ready For Take Off Merry Christmas” ad uses humour and holiday themes to create a joyful connection with viewers. It portrays IndiGo as a fun, customer-focused airline, reinforcing its brand image during the festive travel season.

    Pilot mentorship and support: The “IndiGo Pilot Mentoring Program” highlights the airline’s approach to pilot development and workplace support. By focusing on mentorship, inclusivity, and career growth, the initiative reflects industry efforts to enhance professional training and foster a structured aviation workforce.

    Kishor concludes: “IndiGo’s advertising strategy effectively balances brand storytelling with targeted engagement. By integrating authentic experiences and innovative offerings, IndiGo not only enhances its market positioning but also strengthens its brand loyalty among travelers and aviation professionals alike.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Relics museum opens at NW China airport

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    XI’AN, Feb. 27 — A museum displaying cultural relics unearthed during different phases of the construction of Xi’an Xianyang International Airport has opened to the public at the airport Wednesday.

    As the largest air transportation hub in northwest China, the airport is located in Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi Province.

    The museum covers a total area of 6,400 square meters and exhibits cultural relics spanning several historical periods of ancient China, said Hou Chao, manager of the cultural operations department at China West Airport Group (Xi’an) Commercial Development Company.

    “In the future, the museum will improve its exhibition design and integrate advanced technologies, incorporating AR displays and virtual reality,” Hou added.

    From June 2020 to October 2022, during the third-phase expansion of the airport, 6,848 ancient cultural relics sites were discovered.

    These included 4,093 ancient tombs and 2,755 sites such as pottery kilns, ash pits, enclosures and roads, and over 22,000 artifacts were unearthed.

    Xi’an is a renowned tourist destination in China that boasts a rich legacy. Home to the famous Terracotta Warriors and numerous other historic sites like the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower, Xi’an was founded over 3,100 years ago and served as the capital of 13 dynasties in China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Virgin Australia’s deal with Qatar has been given the green light. Travellers should be the winners

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chrystal Zhang, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering & Aviation, RMIT University

    Petr Podrouzek/Shutterstock

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers has given the green light for Qatar Airways to buy a 25% stake in Virgin Australia, as part of a strategic alliance. The deal will shake up the Australian aviation market.

    The announcement follows a detailed assessment by the Foreign Investment Review Board, and a draft determination to authorise the deal by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

    The deal allows Qatar Airways to buy the 25% stake from the US private equity firm Bain Capital, and makes an eventual initial public offering of Virgin more likely. It also allows Virgin to operate regular services from some of Australia’s major capital cities to Doha.

    Chalmers said the agreement will be subject to enforceable conditions, including retaining Australians on the board of Virgin and protecting consumer data.

    The ACCC has previously said the tie-up would boost competition and benefit consumers.

    The announcement comes on the same day as competitor Qantas posted its latest half-year earnings, showing statutory profits up 6% on the same period last year. So, will Australian flyers be the ultimate winners?

    Getting Australians around the world

    For many Australian travellers, getting where they want to go around the world has long meant making a stopover, especially if travelling to Europe.

    Currently, Qantas does operate direct flights between Perth and three cities in Europe: London, Paris and Rome.

    Doha’s Hamad International Airport is an important global aviation hub.
    Light Orancio/Shutterstock

    However, other international carriers – including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airways and some Chinese carriers – all provide connecting flights via an international hub airport.

    Doha’s Hamad International Airport is one such hub, and Qatar Airways currently flies from there to more than 170 destinations.

    At the heart of this new partnership is what’s called a “wet lease arrangement”. Virgin will be able to use both the aircraft and crew of Qatar Airways to operate its own flights.

    That will allow Virgin to compete as if it were an established international carrier, because it provides access to Qatar’s international network. It should also mean streamlined transit procedures, minimal waiting times, and better baggage handling.

    This deal is expected to create 28 new weekly return services to Doha, from Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane. Having additional flights to this hub by Virgin will give travellers many more options for getting around the world.

    More competition for Qantas

    The agreement will greatly expand Virgin’s international reach and make it more competitive with Qantas. Virgin had to scale back its international footprint after it went into receivership in 2020.

    Qantas will continue to be a major player in flying Australians to Europe. It has also recently added more direct flights from Perth to European destinations.

    But we may be seeing signs of more robust competition pressures already. In its profit announcement on Thursday, Qantas outlined a plan for cabin upgrades for its Boeing 737s as it awaits delivery of new Airbus aircraft.

    Virgin will offer international flights through a ‘wet lease’ arrangement with Qatar.
    Seth Jaworski/Shutterstock

    Turning things around

    Virgin Australia has come a long way since entering voluntary administration in April 2020. After being sold to Bain Capital, the airline restructured its cost base, fleet and commercial functions.

    With a focus on cutting costs and improving its Velocity frequent flyer program, Virgin has since been able to bounce back from the brink and win back market share.

    That success means Virgin is now better positioned to return to international markets and compete with Qantas there, too.

    It will give the airline’s owners more confidence in handing over to a new chief executive and preparing the ground for a long-delayed initial public sharemarket offering that would see Virgin return to the Australian Securities Exchanges (ASX).

    Chrystal Zhang does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Virgin Australia’s deal with Qatar has been given the green light. Travellers should be the winners – https://theconversation.com/virgin-australias-deal-with-qatar-has-been-given-the-green-light-travellers-should-be-the-winners-251025

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Expands Detention Capacity with Delaney Hall Facility in New Jersey

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    February 26, 2025Washington, DC, United StatesStatement

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced today the imminent reopening of the Delaney Hall Facility in Newark, New Jersey, after reaching an agreement with the facility’s owner to reestablish the federal immigration processing and​ detention center at the 1,000-bed facility.

    “This detention center is the first to open under the new administration,” said acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello. “The location near an international airport streamlines logistics, and helps facilitate the timely processing of individuals in our custody as we pursue President Trump’s mandate to arrest, detain and remove illegal aliens from our communities.”

    The facility will expand ICE’s detention capacity in the Northeast, enhancing the agency’s ability to manage the region’s growing enforcement and removal operations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ABC Radio Melbourne, Mornings with Rafael Epstein

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: I mentioned that extra money from the Federal Government for airport rail. Does that mean we will actually get airport rail? Catherine King is the Infrastructure Minister. She is the MP in Ballarat as well. Morning, Minister.

    CATHERINE KING: Good morning. It’s great that you’re out at St Albans. It’s a beautiful part of the world.

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: I haven’t yet sampled all the food. I’ve been to the market, I’m impressed. I’m going to go back there. An extra $2 billion from your government. Does this mean airport rail actually will happen?

    CATHERINE KING: Yes, it does. What this money does, if you remember a year ago, we got a mediator to come in and say, what are the things we can do now to unlock airport rail? And there were three things that were recommended. The first was that the airport, if it wanted to have the station underground, it needed to do the work. That meant the station then said, suddenly said, we don’t want it to go underground, we’re going to go overground. So that’s good. That’s been settled. He then said that we needed to redo the modelling for the Tullamarine Freeway-that’s about to start. And it then said we need to invest and build the Sunshine Precinct, which really is making Sunshine Station, pretty much the Southern Cross of the west. So a really big transport hub that is the centre of rail coming in. And then you build the SRL line out to the airport. So what we’re doing is unlocking the 5 billion that’s already on the table. And then we’ve put 2 billion in to get that Sunshine Precinct started. The Victorians are on board with us. You’ve seen Melbourne Airport yesterday, working constructively with us. We’ve got a little way to go just in terms of settling some of the stuff with the airport. But I am very confident that this will now happen.

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: Okay. I think the devil in the detail might be a little way to go with the airport. Is the airport the problem?

    CATHERINE KING: I think that we’ve still got to work through issues about- obviously, the airport leases its land from the Commonwealth. It’s got a lease that allows it to have quiet an enjoyment of its leasehold. And so it will come to us and obviously seek an understanding of what the impact is going to be …

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: [Talks over] They want money, don’t they?

    CATHERINE KING: … But- they may well do. But again, that is, I understand that they are now talking very closely with the Victorian Government. We’ll also come to the, come in and talk with them as well and let you know. My view is we’re all on the same page to try and get this settled. Obviously there’s, as I said, a little way to go just in terms of the detail of that, but everyone is on the same page of saying, we want to get this done. We’re keen to get it done. Let’s try and break the deadlock as best we can. I know my department secretary and the Victorian department new transport secretary, Jeroen, have been talking over the last couple of days. I think they’re both pretty determined people. And we want to get this done. It’s time for Melbourne to have an airport rail.

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: Yes. It was described as the train line to the jetport in the Victorian Parliament in 1965. So that’s six years before I was born. But you just- you’re the minister federally responsible for this. You used the word deadlock. Are you sure the deadlock is going to be unlocked?

    CATHERINE KING: We’re going to do everything we can. I know the airport wants that to happen. Victorian government does, as does the Federal Government. So when you’ve got will and I think we’ve got a moment in time to get this done now, given that we’ve got all three parties very keen to get this done, we’ve got a, moment in time and that’s going to be up to all of us to do the work, because I think Victorians are a bit sick of the wait, the long wait. I’m a little bit older than you, so I also know how long this has been on Victoria’s books, and we’ve got a moment in time to really get this done. And I’m very determined that we should do it.

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: Brimbank Council, and that’s St Albans council. They want the rail line to come before the third runway. So that’s been approved, the third runway. Do you think we will get a rail line before the third runway is built?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, the first thing is I’ve just got to be a bit careful here because I have approved as the minister for planning for the airport, the third runway. And Brimbank has now taken that to the- to appeal. So I just have to be a bit careful here. The airport is wanting to build the third runway. I have approved that. It now has to go through the appeal process. They’ll be responsible for building that. My view is we are responsible as transport ministers-Victorian government, Federal government in terms of getting airport rail done. And we are starting the work to make sure that we’ve got everyone on the same page in terms of where it’s going to finish at the airport. And we’ll have timelines when we’ve got all of that agreed, and we’ll make those public when we can.

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: It’s about 18 minutes to 9 on 774. Catherine King is part of Anthony Albanese’s Labor government. I do want to know what you want from your politicians. You can text or call. If you’re texting in, by the way, text your say, we’ll send you a link. There’s a whole lot of stuff going on the ABC webpage about the impending federal election. Catherine King, as a minister in and part of a Labor Party that’s vying for re-election, there was two and a bit billion for the airport. There was more than a billion for roads. I think there was another 300 million for rail work around Melton. Would that money have come if there hadn’t been a big protest vote against state Labor in Werribee?

    CATHERINE KING: No, it was in planning for quite some time. Danny Pearson, the previous minister and I had been talking about, as we do every budget cycle… what are the investments that are needed? And these have been talked about for a while. So I think it …

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: [Talks over] It does look a bit reactive.

    CATHERINE KING: Well, it- that’s your call, to say that. But I can absolutely guarantee, what I do when I look at budgets, when I look at the investments that are needed, I work closely with state governments about where they want to see investment. And this has been in discussion literally since the middle of last year. So that happens every budget cycle. The Victorian and every other government in the country all come to me with their wish list. It’s often, billions of dollars over what we can fund because they all want money. And then we make a decision about what we’re going to invest in. So really, this- these decisions are actually made last year that we’re announcing now as part of our budget, our lead up into the budget cycle. And they’re important investments for the state. But what you’ve also seen us do is unlock over in the east, the $2.2 billion for the Suburban Rail Loop.

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: I’m glad you mentioned it, minister, because I was going to ask you about that. Can I just- can I let everyone know the seat I’m in is a safe Labor seat – the seat of Fraser. There are- I know there are people who share your party room, Catherine King, who are nervous about Labor’s vote in a suburb like St Albans, all the way out to places like Melton. Is there a little part of you- is there a little part of you that dies every time they talk about the Suburban Rail Loop because it’s money in the east, not the west?

    CATHERINE KING: What I see is a state in Victoria who basically… were pretty much abandoned for the last decade, who’ve had to go it alone on building these really big infrastructure projects. I live in the west, I live in Ballarat, and I have to drive- you know every single day I go to- when I go to Melbourne, I’m going through that incredible work that’s been done on the West Gate Tunnel. That is game changing for us over in the west. That will be huge for people like myself who live in Ballarat. I see the North East Link. I’ve stood on that side as well. Both of those projects, not a single federal dollar has gone into either of those. The state has had to 100 per cent fund those. We’ve stepped in other- sorry, other than a small amount in the North East Link, we’ve had- we’ve stepped in and put some more money into the North East Link to bring that, recognising that Victorian taxpayers on their own are paying for these big projects that will be game changing for the way in which we move around the state. Suburban Rail will be a similar sort of project. It’s a big scale project I’ve seen over in the west of the- Western Australia. What these big scale rail projects can do in terms of really opening up new housing opportunities, new business opportunities, new ways in which people actually move around cities. And so that’s really what the Victorian government has been doing, is doing those investments pretty much on its own. And it’s time that the Commonwealth actually helped out a bit with those.

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: Well, we’ll see what everybody makes of that both the people here in St Albans and on the phone. Just- Peter Dutton, it’s been revealed how much money he’s made buying and selling properties. Doesn’t that mean he actually really understands the property market and maybe he’ll know how to fix it?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, I think the issue- it’s not so much- I don’t begrudge anyone being able to do that, but I think it’s being upfront about it. I think that we saw him, not necessarily make disclosures about that and money in trusts and the like. So I think really he just needs to be open about that. And, it’s aspirational. But it’s really- it’s up to him to sort of explain why these weren’t properly disclosed to people …

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: [Interrupts] But do you reckon he understands the property market?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, as someone who doesn’t understand the property market, particularly myself, I don’t know. That’s a matter for him. But I think that again, really, it’s up to him to make sure he’s disclosing all of those things appropriately.

    RAFAEL EPSTEIN: Thank you for your time.

    CATHERINE KING: Really good to be with you. Lovely to- hopefully you get a good chance to have a chat to the people of St Albans. My brother in law doesn’t live far from there. It is a fantastic multicultural part of the world.

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