NewzIntel.com

Category: Aviation

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to air traffic control issue

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on a UK air traffic control issue which led to flight delays and cancellations.

    Dr Guy Gratton, Associate Professor of Aviation and the Environment, Cranfield University, said:

    “National Air Traffic Services (NATS) have said there was a fault with their radar system, and this caused a stop on departing and arriving airline traffic on Wednesday afternoon for about an hour.  They control the upper airways of the UK from two sites – Swannick near Southampton, and Prestwick near Glasgow.  It’s very integrated, and any interruption, as occurred, can only be solved in the short term by reducing the volume of traffic so as to make absolutely sure that in Britain’s very busy airways system, they achieve safe separation of all aircraft.  As the systems come back up, they have to maintain that safe separation whilst introducing new traffic back into the airways system, so even a short delay will cause disruption for some time.

    “It looks to me that NATS handled this very well, with departures and arrivals only stopped for about an hour.  There’s no sign that safety was compromised, and hopefully the overnight reduction in air traffic will give them a chance to clear the disruption and recommence flying on Thursday morning with only minimal residual delays.  It’s inevitable that people directly affected are frustrated, but safety has to be the primary concern.”

    Junade Ali, a Fellow at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), said:

    “The cause of this significant grounding of aircraft appears to be a technical issue at National Air Traffic Services (NATS).  As of 16:25, NATS report a fix is being rolled out, meaning the issue was addressed promptly.

    “In late 2023, there was a similar incident related to the IT systems that NATS uses.  Given the short duration of the outage, it seems likely this is also an IT or software outage.

    “NATS has previously thoroughly investigated such incidents and implemented suitable measures.  From prior incident reports, the software is understood to not compromise safety at the expense of keeping airspace open.  This is the right approach as, whilst keeping airspace open is important, the public risk appetite demands a high standard of safety when it comes to air travel.  Incidents like this remind us of the need for robust IT systems that are resilient.” 

    Statement from the National Air Traffic Control Services: https://www.nats.aero/statement/statement-technical-issue-at-swanwick/

    Declared interests

    Junade Ali: “No conflicts of interest.”

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Urumqi Airport Records Significant Growth in Passenger and Cargo Traffic in First Half of 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) — The number of people crossing the Chinese border at the Tianshan International Airport checkpoint in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, totaled 449,900 in the first half of 2025, up 63.58 percent year-on-year, the Xinjiang Daily newspaper reported, citing data from the airport administration.

    In addition, during the same period, 43 thousand tons of cargo were imported and exported through Tianshan Airport, which is 465 percent more than during the same period last year.

    In the first six months of this year, the checkpoint handled 3,575 inbound and outbound passenger flights, up 51 percent from a year earlier. The airport currently operates 32 international passenger routes, connecting Urumqi with 27 cities in 19 countries.

    From January to June this year, airport customs officers processed 2,549 incoming and outgoing cargo flights, up 620 percent year-on-year. The total value of imported and exported goods passed through the airport checkpoint increased by 221.4 percent year-on-year.

    Today, 24 international cargo routes operate at the specified border crossing, covering key hub cities in Europe, as well as Central and Western Asia.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Espionage cost Australia $12.5 billion in 2023-24, ASIO boss Mike Burgess says

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

    Espionage cost Australia $12.5 billion in 2023-24, according to a study by ASIO and the Australian Institute of Criminology.

    The figure includes the direct costs of known espionage incidents, including state-sponsored theft of intellectual property, as well as the indirect costs of countering and responding.

    Details of the Cost of Espionage report were released by the head of ASIO, Mike Burgess, in delivering the annual Hawke Lecture on Thursday night. Espionage is defined as “the theft of Australian information by another country that is seeking an advantage over Australia”.

    Burgess said the Institute estimated foreign cyber spies stole nearly $2 billion from Australian companies and businesses in trade secrets and intellectual property in 2023-24.

    In one instance, spies hacked into a major Australian exporters computer network, stealing commercially sensitive information.

    “The theft gave the foreign country a significant advantage in subsequent contract negotiations, costing Australia hundreds of millions of dollars.”

    Burgess pointed to another espionage incident several years ago when an overseas delegation visited a sensitive Australian horticultural facility.

    A delegation member entered a restricted area and photographed a rare, valuable variety of fruit tree. A staff member intervened and deleted the image but it later turned out several of the tree’s branches had been stolen and smuggled out of Australia.

    “Almost certainly, the stolen plant material allowed scientists in the other country to reverse engineer and replicate two decades of Australian research and development.”

    In another instance, an Australian defence contractor invented and sold a world-leading innovation.

    At first sales boomed but then they collapsed, and “customers began flooding the company’s repair centre with faulty products. While the returns looked genuine, closer examination revealed they were cheap and nasty knock offs.

    “An investigation uncovered what happened.

    “One year earlier, a company representative attended a defence industry event overseas and was approached by an enthusiastic local. She insisted on sharing some content via a USB, which was inserted into a company laptop. The USB infected the system with malware allowing hackers to steal the blueprints for the product.

    “Almost certainly, the ‘enthusiastic local’ worked for a foreign intelligence service. The blueprints were given to a state-owned enterprise which mass-produced the knock-offs and deprived the Australian company millions of dollars in lost revenue – the tangible cost of espionage.”

    Burgess said many entities do not realise their secrets have been stolen by espionage.

    He stressed the institute was deliberately conservative, only modelling costs it could confirm and calculate.

    “That means many of the most serious, significant and cascading costs of espionage are not included in the 12.5 billion dollar figure. The potential loss of strategic advantage, sovereign decision-making and warfighting capacity hold immense value, but not a quantifiable dollar value.”

    “The Institute estimates Australia prevented tens of billions of dollars of additional costs by stopping or deterring spying,” Burgess said.

    He said ASIO estimated the espionage threat “will only intensify. It is already more serious and sophisticated than ever before, so our response must also be more serious and sophisticated than ever before.”

    Russian spies booted out in 2022

    Burgess confirmed that in 2022 a number of “undeclared Russian intelligence officers” were removed from Australia.

    “The decision followed a lengthy ASIO investigation that found the Russians recruiting proxies and agents to obtain sensitive information, and employing sophisticated tradecraft to disguise their activities.”

    Last year, two Russian born Australian citizens were charged with an espionage related offence.

    Russian remained a persistent and aggressive espionage threat, Burgess said. “But Russia is by no means the only country we have to deal with.

    “You would be genuinely shocked by the number and names of countries trying to steal our secrets.

    “The obvious candidates are very active – I’ve previously named China, Russia and Iran – but many other countries are also targeting anyone and anything that could give them a strategic or tactical advantage, including sensitive but unclassified information.”

    Burgess said increasingly foreign intelligence services were broadening their collection efforts beyond traditional categories. They were aggressively targeting science and technology, and public and private sector projects, negotiations and investments. This includes Antarctic research, green technology, critical minerals and rare earths extraction and processing.

    ‘A very unhealthy’ interest in AUKUS

    Burgess said foreign intelligence services were “taking a very unhealthy interest in AUKUS and its associated capabilities.”

    “Australia’s defence sector is a top intelligence collection priority for foreign governments seeking to blunt our operational edge, gain insights into our operational readiness and tactics, and better understand our allies’ capabilities.

    “Targets include maritime and aviation-related military capabilities, but also innovations with both commercial and military applications.

    “And with AUKUS, we are not just defending our sovereign capability. We are also defending critical capability shared by and with our partners.”

    He said foreign intelligence services were “proactive, creative and opportunistic” in targeting present and former defence employees.

    There was relentless cyber espionage, in-person targeting and technical collection.

    “In recent years, for example, defence employees travelling overseas have been subjected to covert room searches, been approached at conferences by spies in disguise and given gifts containing surveillance devices.”

    Two dozen major disruptions in the last three years

    Burgess said that ASIO had detected and disrupted 24 major cases of foreign interference in the last three years alone.

    This was more than in the previous eight years combined. They were just the major disruptions – there were many other cases. Among the examples he gave were:

    • spies recruited a security clearance holder who handed over official documents on free trade negotiations

    • foreign companies connected to intelligence services sought to buy access to personal data sets; sought to buy land near sensitive military sites, and sought to collaborate with researchers developing sensitive technologies

    • foreign intelligence services tried to get someone employed as a researcher in a media outlet, aiming to shape reporting and receive early warning of critical stories

    • spies convinced a state bureaucrat to login to a database to obtain details of people considered dissidents by a foreign regime

    • nation state hackers compromised a peak industry body’s network getting sensitive information

    • a foreign intelligence service had multiple agents and their family members apply for Australian government jobs to get access to classified information.

    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. Espionage cost Australia $12.5 billion in 2023-24, ASIO boss Mike Burgess says – https://theconversation.com/espionage-cost-australia-12-5-billion-in-2023-24-asio-boss-mike-burgess-says-262349

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Centre constructs 16,207 km of highways, sanctions ₹69,342 crore for railway projects in Northeast

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Central Government has constructed 16,207 km of National Highways and sanctioned ₹69,342 crore for railway projects to bolster infrastructure and accelerate economic development in the Northeastern Region (NER), the Parliament was informed on Thursday.

    Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region Sukanta Majumdar told the Rajya Sabha that the Ministry of Railways has approved 12 railway projects – including 8 new lines and 4 doubling projects – spanning a total length of 777 km, either partially or fully within the NER. Of this, 278 km have already been commissioned, and ₹41,676 crore has been expended up to March 2025.

    Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the government has sanctioned 17,637 road works covering 89,436 km and 2,398 bridges in the Northeast. Out of these, 16,469 road works (80,933 km) and 2,108 bridges have been completed, the Minister added.

    To enhance digital connectivity in remote and rural areas of the Northeast, several initiatives have been undertaken with support from the Digital Bharat Nidhi. As many as 6,355 Gram Panchayats have been made service-ready under the BharatNet project. In addition, 3,297 mobile towers have been commissioned in the region under various government-funded mobile connectivity schemes.

    The Ministry of Civil Aviation, through the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, has significantly improved regional air connectivity by operationalising 90 routes in the Northeast. These routes connect 12 airports and heliports across the region, aiming to make air travel more accessible and affordable for the masses.

    Further, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) is providing financial assistance to all eight Northeastern states for developmental projects related to infrastructure, connectivity, and communication, under five Central Sector Schemes.

    A key initiative in this regard is the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE). This 100% centrally funded scheme, launched with a total outlay of ₹6,600 crore, is scheduled to run from 2022–23 to 2025–26. The scheme focuses on funding infrastructure projects in line with PM GatiShakti, supporting social development, and promoting livelihood opportunities for youth and women, while addressing developmental gaps in critical sectors.

    The DoNER Ministry is also providing financial support to boost tourism development across the eight Northeastern states through its various Central Sector Schemes.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary Noem is Taking a Sledgehammer to Criminal Human Trafficking Rings

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Secretary Noem is Taking a Sledgehammer to Criminal Human Trafficking Rings

    lass=”text-align-center”>On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security continue taking action to disrupt criminal human trafficking organizations
    WASHINGTON – On this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is announcing a series of major crack downs against the worst of the worst criminal organizations: human trafficking rings

     
    The previous administration’s open border policies empowered human traffickers and allowed over 450,000 unaccompanied children to be illegally smuggled over the border

     
    Under President Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the full weight of the American government is bringing the hammer down on human trafficking rings

      In just the first few months, the Trump administration has developed leads on thousands of human trafficking cases

     
    DHS has also cracked down on the criminal terrorist gang Tren de Aragua, which enriches itself through the sex trafficking of vulnerable young women

      The Trump administration has arrested more than 2,700 members of Tren de Aragua so far

     
    This crisis is fueled by organized crime networks: sophisticated cartels that exploited the weakness of the previous administration, especially its open border and refusal to enforce immigration law, to rake in billions from forced labor, brutal sexual exploitation, coercing innocent people into drug running, and other heinous crimes

     
    “The brave men and women of DHS are the best in the world at going after traffickers

    They are always able to track down those who are trafficking individuals, find the ringleaders, and rip that evil off by its head,” said Secretary Kristi Noem

    “I’m so thankful that I get the chance to lead individuals like that, and agents who get up every day to help save our children and to save women and men from the kind of slavery that we’ve seen

    ” 
    Below are some examples of how DHS is fighting to put human traffickers out of business: 

    July 28, 2025: As part of Operation Apex Predator, a Child Exploitation Investigations Unit initiative with the Cyber Crimes Center, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Newark arrested four illegal alien child predators over the course of four days

    All four are registered sex offenders

    July 23, 2025: ICE arrested 243 illegal aliens in the Denver metro area

    Among those arrested were aliens wanted for human trafficking, and several members of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), including Tren de Aragua (TdA), Los Zetas, and the Sinaloa Cartel

    July 22, 2025: Following an ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigation, a resident of Laredo, Texas was sentenced to 63 months in prison for smuggling 101 migrants in a locked trailer

    Among the illegal aliens smuggled were 12 children

    The suspect was sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to transport migrants

    July 21, 2025: As a result of an investigation by ICE HSI Rio Grande Valley, a convicted human smuggler was sentenced to 20 years in prison for possessing images of sexual assaults of prepubescent children

    July 10, 2025: ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) executed criminal warrant operations at marijuana facilities in Carpinteria and Camarillo, California

    In these facilities, at least 14 migrant children were rescued from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking

    During this operation, federal officers also arrested at least 361 illegal aliens

    Among those arrested were criminals with convictions for kidnapping, rape, attempted rape, and attempted child molestation, among other charges

    July 10, 2025: As the result of an ICE New York investigation, the leader of a Mexican sex trafficking organization was sentenced to 188 months in prison for sex trafficking multiple victims by force, fraud, and coercion

    July 9, 2025: An ICE Del Rio investigation resulted in an illegal Honduran alien being sentenced to 10 years in prison, with three years of supervised release, for his role in smuggling thousands of aliens into the United States for financial gain

    His smuggling conspiracy spanned three years and involved thousands of aliens from 11 different countries

    July 7, 2025: Border Patrol agents assisted the U

    S

    Marshals in executing an arrest warrant on a high-priority target linked to a criminal syndicate operating in human exploitation

    The suspect, a U

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    citizen, was wanted for multiple charges, including procurement of persons, placing individuals into prostitution, residing in a house of prostitution, and profiting from the earnings of prostitution

    The suspect was arrested without incident in Yuma, Arizona

     
    June 24, 2025: HSI Nashville identified one child victim and one adult victim of labor trafficking

    During an immigration court proceeding, the child victim revealed that she and her 18-year-old brother had been forced by their sponsor to work to pay off their smuggling fees and to pay for the sponsor’s household expenses

    June 16, 2025: A worksite enforcement operation by ICE HSI targeted employers and subcontractors who knowingly hire illegal aliens

    During this operation, HSI Mobile identified and rescued a child and arrested eight foreign nationals for violating immigration law

    The child was found to be working among adults and was believed to have never attended school since entering the United States two years ago

    June 6, 2025: The Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Venezuelan illegal alien and member of MS-13 arrested by ICE, on charges of alien smuggling and conspiracy to commit alien smuggling

    Despite the mainstream media insisting for months that Garcia was an innocent “Maryland father,” he is now standing trial after evidence emerged of his involvement in criminal smuggling rings

    June 2, 2025: ICE Rio Grande Valley discovered a stash house in South Texas and subsequently arrested 16 illegal aliens

    The owner of the property admitted to harboring the illegal aliens, who came from five different countries

    A Mexican national was taken in for questioning for his role in human smuggling

    May 28, 2025: HSI New York special agents arrested an adult male from Ecuador at his residence for violations relating to the sexual exploitation of a child

    New York received information regarding a 15-year-old female who was apprehended near El Paso, Texas, after illegally entering the United States

    At that time, she was pregnant with the adult’s child and had been in a relationship with him in Ecuador since the age of thirteen

    The subject organized the smuggling of the teenager across the border to engage in sexual acts

    His mother sponsored her after her illegal entry, and the subject continued his relationship with the children, living with his mother in Harlem

    May 28, 2025: CBP issued a Withhold Release Order against Zhen Fa 7, a Chinese-flagged fishing vessel

    As a result, CBP officers at all U

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    ports of entry will detain seafood harvested by Zhen Fa 7 based on reasonable suspicion that the vessel uses forced labor to harvest such seafood

    May 28, 2025: Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector prevented an attempt to smuggle two Mexican nationals into the United States

    The attempt involved one United States citizen and one Mexican national, who attempted to smuggle the illegal aliens across the border using a truck

    Inside the truck were three fully loaded firearms, including a “ghost gun

    ” The suspected smugglers face felony charges of bringing in and harboring aliens, and unlawful acts involving firearms

     
    May 12, 2025: HSI Austin identified and rescued a child, arrested two Guatemalan nationals for violating immigration law, and initiated an HSI-led investigation of state and federal charges of human trafficking and statutory rape

    During a welfare check, HSI Agents, assisted by the FBI, identified a pregnant 14-year-old female residing with an unrelated adult male sponsor, later determined to be the biological father of the unborn child

    May 7, 2025: CBP’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) interdicted a vessel with four illegal aliens from Uzbekistan that were being smuggled into Puerto Rico

    The vessel attempted to enter Puerto Rico on the island of Vieques; onboard were the four illegal aliens from Uzbekistan and three United States citizens

    The Uzbeki nationals did not have any documents for an authorized entry or stay in the United States

    May 4, 2025: Border Patrol agents in the Tucson Sector arrested a United States citizen and two Mexican nationals after a high-speed pursuit

    The United States citizen, who was driving the car and had an extensive criminal history, fled from law enforcement at high speed after failing to stop at an immigration checkpoint

    After crashing into another car, the three occupants fled on foot before being arrested

    The driver faces federal charges that include human smuggling, fleeing law enforcement, and endangering human life

    May 2, 2025: Four Mexican nationals in the United States illegally were charged for their roles in an international human smuggling conspiracy that brought aliens across the Canadian border into the United States for profit

    The smuggling organization had been operating for two years and smuggled hundreds of aliens per week through Canada

    The aliens or their family members would pay thousands of dollars to be smuggled into the United States

    April 29, 2025: CBP officers at the Area Port of San Luis arrested a woman in connection with the failed smuggling attempt of a child

    The suspect, a Mexican citizen, had sedated the child prior to attempting to cross the border

    The suspect also presented a false birth certificate and alleged that she was the mother; the officers discovered that there was no family relationship between the woman and the child

    April 2, 2025: CBP issued a Withhold Release Order against Taepyung Salt Farm, based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor in the production of the company’s sea salt products

    As a result, CBP personnel at all U

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    ports of entry will detain sea salt products from Taepyung Salt Farm in South Korea

    March 25, 2025: After an ICE Arizona investigation with law enforcement partners, a human smuggling coordinator was sentenced to 30 months in prison for her role in smuggling over 100 Colombians into the United States

    She had been operating a travel agency in her native country, Colombia, where she would charge the victims a fee to travel to Mexico, with additional bribes required at Mexican airports

    February 14, 2025: Working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, an ICE investigation led to a four-count indictment against eight defendants with ties to Tren de Aragua on charges related to their involvement with a transnational commercial sex enterprise

    Everyone can be part of the fight against human trafficking

    The DHS Blue Campaign can help you recognize human trafficking and provide resources to report suspicious activity to law enforcement

     
    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Heathrow expansion is a “flightmare on Downing Street” say Greens

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    by Green Party

    Responding to the release of detailed proposals for Heathrow Airport expansion, Green Party MP, Ellie Chowns, reiterated the Green Party’s opposition to airport expansion, saying,

    “Heathrow Airport expansion is a flightmare on Downing Street for people and planet. On one hand, this government is saying they’re taking the climate crisis seriously, and on the other, they’re backing a project that will release a reported 4.4m tonnes of CO2 a year. These expansion plans would see the number of flights at Heathrow Airport go up to 720,000 from their current capped number of 480,000 a year.

    These expansion plans are, at their heart, aimed to deliver profit for shareholders to enable a small group of people to fly more and more. In the UK we have a few frequent flyers that make up less than 3% of the UK population but take 30% of all journeys. On top of this, they seem oblivious to the impact that these plans will have on the communities currently living around Heathrow. Government must be grounded in reality and look hard at the climate science. No credible net-zero plan can include rampant airport expansion, and it’s time Labour looked to the many, many alternative ways to create high-paid green jobs.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: UPDATE – Captivision, Inc. Announces Extension Granted by Nasdaq to Regain Compliance with Periodic Filing Requirement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Captivision Inc. (“Captivision” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CAPT), a pioneering manufacturer and global LED solution provider, announced that it has been informed that the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) has granted the Company’s request for continued listing on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), subject to certain conditions related to the Company’s ongoing efforts to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the “Periodic Filing Rule”).

    The Company is working diligently with its independent auditor, UHY, LLP (“UHY”), and KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. (“KPMG”), which provides accounting services to Captivision, to complete the restatement and re-audit of its financial statements. Captivision expects to file its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, on or before September 30, 2025.

    Pursuant to the Panel’s decision, Captivision must provide a status update to the Panel regarding audit testing procedures by August 29, 2025, and demonstrate full compliance with the Periodic Filing Rule by October 15, 2025 (the “extension period”).

    The Company previously successfully addressed other Nasdaq listing requirements, as disclosed on July 15, 2025. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance by the end of the extension period.

    About Captivision

    Captivision is a pioneering manufacturer and global LED solution provider, a leading innovator in digital display technology and immersive media. At the forefront of media architecture, Captivision has developed breakthrough media glass technology, fusing IT building materials with architectural glass to create transparent, high-performance digital canvases. This cutting-edge product enables real-time streaming and content delivery on any glass façade, transforming ordinary surfaces into dynamic storytelling platforms. 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 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.

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Nuclear Science and Nuclear Security Infrastructure to Protect Rare Rhinos: IAEA-Supported Project Marks a Milestone

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    In a pioneering effort to combat wildlife trafficking of the threatened rhinoceros, a South African University today began implementing a project supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The project combines the safe insertion of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns and available nuclear security infrastructure to deter and detect illegal poaching.

    With over 10,000 rhinos lost to poaching in the past decade, South Africa – home to the world’s largest population of rhinos – remains a target for criminals driven by the illegal trade of rhino horn. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment reported 103 rhinos poached. In response, this project run by the University of the Witwatersrand is using radiation to support conservation and enforcement efforts.

    After two years of initial tests, the Rhisotope Project was created in 2021 with the idea to tag rhino horns with radioactive material. This makes the horns detectable by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already deployed at borders, ports and airports worldwide. These RPMs, commonly used to detect nuclear and other radioactive material, can now be harnessed against wildlife crime.

    The IAEA’s support to the Rhisotope Project leverages its central role in strengthening the global nuclear security framework. With millions of vehicles and people crossing borders every day, the use of an estimated 10,000 RPMs worldwide has become a critical tool for detecting unauthorized transboundary movements of nuclear and other radioactive material.

    “The Rhisotope Project shows how nuclear science and nuclear security infrastructure can be used in new ways to address global challenges,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “The IAEA is supporting countries to maximize the benefits of nuclear. By using already installed nuclear security infrastructure in novel ways, we can help protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.”

    At an event today in the Waterberg, Limpopo, about 250 kilometres north of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand announced the results of the rigorous safety assessments conducted during the pilot phase of the project. In June last year, radioisotopes were inserted into 20 rhinos. Health monitoring and cytological examinations of 15 treated animals and a comparison of five animals not treated were conducted by Ghent University in Belgium. The test results proved that the method is non-invasive and does not pose a risk to the rhinos’ health.

    “This has been an international collaboration of likeminded individuals who are trying to make a real difference to this poaching crisis,” said James Larkin, Director, Radiation and Health Physics Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand. “We started with the question – what if radiation could protect rather than harm, by turning rhino horns into traceable markers that stop poachers before they trade? After two years of digital modelling, safety testing and detection simulations, we’re ready to roll out a solution that could truly reduce rhino poaching.”

    The success of project also opens the door for future applications to other endangered species.

    “The methodology could be adapted to protect other endangered species like elephants or pangolins,” said Larkin.

    The IAEA is providing both technical and financial support to the project under its Coordinated Research Project titled Facilitation of Safe and Secure Trade Using Nuclear Detection Technology – Detection of RN and Other Contraband. As part of the project, the Agency also supports countries in their efforts to optimize the detection of radiation by the use of its Minimum Detectable Quantity and Alarm Threshold Estimation Tool, thereby allowing detection of the tagged with radiation rhino horns.

    “The Rhisotope Project brings the entire global nuclear security network into play,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. “The nuclear security infrastructure that exists in many countries around the world to detect smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material can be used to pick up the trafficking of rhino horn, and any other contraband that might be carried alongside it. Committing to nuclear security pays off in multiple ways.”

    B-roll and photos will be made available here.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nuclear Science and Nuclear Security Infrastructure to Protect Rare Rhinos: IAEA-Supported Project Marks a Milestone

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    The Rhisotope Project team inserting radioactive isotopes into rhino horns. (Martin Klinenboeck/IAEA)

    In a pioneering effort to combat wildlife trafficking of the threatened rhinoceros, a South African University today began implementing a project supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The project combines the safe insertion of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns and available nuclear security infrastructure to deter and detect illegal poaching.

    With over 10,000 rhinos lost to poaching in the past decade, South Africa – home to the world’s largest population of rhinos – remains a target for criminals driven by the illegal trade of rhino horn. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment reported 103 rhinos poached. In response, this project run by the University of the Witwatersrand is using radiation to support conservation and enforcement efforts.

    After two years of initial tests, the Rhisotope Project was created in 2021 with the idea to tag rhino horns with radioactive material. This makes the horns detectable by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already deployed at borders, ports and airports worldwide. These RPMs, commonly used to detect nuclear and other radioactive material, can now be harnessed against wildlife crime.

    The IAEA’s support to the Rhisotope Project leverages its central role in strengthening the global nuclear security framework. With millions of vehicles and people crossing borders every day, the use of an estimated 10,000 RPMs worldwide has become a critical tool for detecting unauthorized transboundary movements of nuclear and other radioactive material.

    “The Rhisotope Project shows how nuclear science and nuclear security infrastructure can be used in new ways to address global challenges,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “The IAEA is supporting countries to maximize the benefits of nuclear. By using already installed nuclear security infrastructure in novel ways, we can help protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.”

    At an event today in the Waterberg, Limpopo, about 250 kilometres north of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand announced the results of the rigorous safety assessments conducted during the pilot phase of the project. In June last year, radioisotopes were inserted into 20 rhinos. Health monitoring and cytological examinations of 15 treated animals and a comparison of five animals not treated were conducted by Ghent University in Belgium. The test results proved that the method is non-invasive and does not pose a risk to the rhinos’ health.

    “This has been an international collaboration of likeminded individuals who are trying to make a real difference to this poaching crisis,” said James Larkin, Director, Radiation and Health Physics Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand. “We started with the question – what if radiation could protect rather than harm, by turning rhino horns into traceable markers that stop poachers before they trade? After two years of digital modelling, safety testing and detection simulations, we’re ready to roll out a solution that could truly reduce rhino poaching.”

    The success of project also opens the door for future applications to other endangered species.

    “The methodology could be adapted to protect other endangered species like elephants or pangolins,” said Larkin.

    The IAEA is providing both technical and financial support to the project under its Coordinated Research Project titled Facilitation of Safe and Secure Trade Using Nuclear Detection Technology – Detection of RN and Other Contraband. As part of the project, the Agency also supports countries in their efforts to optimize the detection of radiation by the use of its Minimum Detectable Quantity and Alarm Threshold Estimation Tool, thereby allowing detection of the tagged with radiation rhino horns.

    “The Rhisotope Project brings the entire global nuclear security network into play,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. “The nuclear security infrastructure that exists in many countries around the world to detect smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material can be used to pick up the trafficking of rhino horn, and any other contraband that might be carried alongside it. Committing to nuclear security pays off in multiple ways.”

    B-roll and photos will be made available here.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Nuclear Science and Nuclear Security Infrastructure to Protect Rare Rhinos: IAEA-Supported Project Marks a Milestone

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The Rhisotope Project team inserting radioactive isotopes into rhino horns. (Martin Klinenboeck/IAEA)

    In a pioneering effort to combat wildlife trafficking of the threatened rhinoceros, a South African University today began implementing a project supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The project combines the safe insertion of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns and available nuclear security infrastructure to deter and detect illegal poaching.

    With over 10,000 rhinos lost to poaching in the past decade, South Africa – home to the world’s largest population of rhinos – remains a target for criminals driven by the illegal trade of rhino horn. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment reported 103 rhinos poached. In response, this project run by the University of the Witwatersrand is using radiation to support conservation and enforcement efforts.

    After two years of initial tests, the Rhisotope Project was created in 2021 with the idea to tag rhino horns with radioactive material. This makes the horns detectable by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already deployed at borders, ports and airports worldwide. These RPMs, commonly used to detect nuclear and other radioactive material, can now be harnessed against wildlife crime.

    The IAEA’s support to the Rhisotope Project leverages its central role in strengthening the global nuclear security framework. With millions of vehicles and people crossing borders every day, the use of an estimated 10,000 RPMs worldwide has become a critical tool for detecting unauthorized transboundary movements of nuclear and other radioactive material.

    “The Rhisotope Project shows how nuclear science and nuclear security infrastructure can be used in new ways to address global challenges,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “The IAEA is supporting countries to maximize the benefits of nuclear. By using already installed nuclear security infrastructure in novel ways, we can help protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.”

    At an event today in the Waterberg, Limpopo, about 250 kilometres north of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand announced the results of the rigorous safety assessments conducted during the pilot phase of the project. In June last year, radioisotopes were inserted into 20 rhinos. Health monitoring and cytological examinations of 15 treated animals and a comparison of five animals not treated were conducted by Ghent University in Belgium. The test results proved that the method is non-invasive and does not pose a risk to the rhinos’ health.

    “This has been an international collaboration of likeminded individuals who are trying to make a real difference to this poaching crisis,” said James Larkin, Director, Radiation and Health Physics Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand. “We started with the question – what if radiation could protect rather than harm, by turning rhino horns into traceable markers that stop poachers before they trade? After two years of digital modelling, safety testing and detection simulations, we’re ready to roll out a solution that could truly reduce rhino poaching.”

    The success of project also opens the door for future applications to other endangered species.

    “The methodology could be adapted to protect other endangered species like elephants or pangolins,” said Larkin.

    The IAEA is providing both technical and financial support to the project under its Coordinated Research Project titled Facilitation of Safe and Secure Trade Using Nuclear Detection Technology – Detection of RN and Other Contraband. As part of the project, the Agency also supports countries in their efforts to optimize the detection of radiation by the use of its Minimum Detectable Quantity and Alarm Threshold Estimation Tool, thereby allowing detection of the tagged with radiation rhino horns.

    “The Rhisotope Project brings the entire global nuclear security network into play,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. “The nuclear security infrastructure that exists in many countries around the world to detect smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material can be used to pick up the trafficking of rhino horn, and any other contraband that might be carried alongside it. Committing to nuclear security pays off in multiple ways.”

    B-roll and photos will be made available here.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Southern Airlines and Air Astana have entered into a codeshare agreement

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) — China Southern Airlines and Air Astana officially signed a codeshare agreement on Tuesday, according to a statement on the website of the Guangzhou-based Chinese carrier.

    The entry into force of the document, as stated by China Southern Airlines, will provide more convenience to passengers of both countries.

    The agreement envisages the joint operation of a number of air routes between China and Kazakhstan. These include the routes opened by China Southern Airlines Guangzhou-Almaty, Beijing /Daxing/-Almaty, Urumqi-Almaty, Xi’an-Almaty, Guangzhou-Astana, Urumqi-Astana and the routes opened by Air Astana Almaty-Beijing /Shoudu/, Almaty-Urumqi, Almaty-Guangzhou, Astana-Beijing /Shoudu/.

    China Southern Airlines is paying increased attention to the Kazakh market and plans to further increase the frequency of flights between the two countries through cooperation with Air Astana, said its CEO Han Wensheng.

    Air Astana Chief Executive Officer Peter Foster noted that China has always been a strategically important market for Air Astana.

    The new step in cooperation taken by Air Astana and China Southern Airlines will help strengthen the airline’s position in the Chinese market and open a new page in the annals of cooperation between the airlines of both countries, he believes.

    The conclusion of the code-share agreement has created a new paradigm for aviation cooperation between China and Kazakhstan and will effectively promote the development of bilateral ties in trade, tourism and humanitarian exchanges, China Southern Airlines noted. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Southern Airlines and Air Astana have entered into a codeshare agreement

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) — China Southern Airlines and Air Astana officially signed a codeshare agreement on Tuesday, according to a statement on the website of the Guangzhou-based Chinese carrier.

    The entry into force of the document, as stated by China Southern Airlines, will provide more convenience to passengers of both countries.

    The agreement envisages the joint operation of a number of air routes between China and Kazakhstan. These include the routes opened by China Southern Airlines Guangzhou-Almaty, Beijing /Daxing/-Almaty, Urumqi-Almaty, Xi’an-Almaty, Guangzhou-Astana, Urumqi-Astana and the routes opened by Air Astana Almaty-Beijing /Shoudu/, Almaty-Urumqi, Almaty-Guangzhou, Astana-Beijing /Shoudu/.

    China Southern Airlines is paying increased attention to the Kazakh market and plans to further increase the frequency of flights between the two countries through cooperation with Air Astana, said its CEO Han Wensheng.

    Air Astana Chief Executive Officer Peter Foster noted that China has always been a strategically important market for Air Astana.

    The new step in cooperation taken by Air Astana and China Southern Airlines will help strengthen the airline’s position in the Chinese market and open a new page in the annals of cooperation between the airlines of both countries, he believes.

    The conclusion of the code-share agreement has created a new paradigm for aviation cooperation between China and Kazakhstan and will effectively promote the development of bilateral ties in trade, tourism and humanitarian exchanges, China Southern Airlines noted. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Official visit to Türkiye cancelled

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Due to technical issues with Sweden’s state aircraft, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard and Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer were unfortunately re-directed back to Stockholm, Arlanda. This was purely a safety measure and neither passengers nor crew were in danger.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • Trump hits Brazil with tariffs, sanctions but key sectors excluded

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday slapped a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods to fight what he has called a “witch hunt” against former President Jair Bolsonaro, but softened the blow by excluding sectors such as aircraft, energy and orange juice from heavier levies.

    Trump announced the tariffs, some of the steepest levied on any economy in the U.S. trade war, as his administration also unveiled sanctions on the Brazilian supreme court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro’s trial on charges of plotting a coup.

    “Alexandre de Moraes has taken it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt against U.S. and Brazilian citizens and companies,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

    Bessent said Moraes “is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized prosecutions — including against former President Jair Bolsonaro.”

    Last week, the Brazilian justice levied search warrants and restraining orders against Bolsonaro over allegations he courted Trump‘s interference in his criminal case, in which he is accused of plotting to stop President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office in 2023.

    Trump‘s final tariff order and the sanctions followed weeks of sparring with Lula, who has likened the U.S. president, a close ideological ally of Bolsonaro’s, to an unwanted “emperor.”

    On Wednesday, Lula and his government closed ranks behind Moraes, calling the U.S. sanctions “unacceptable.”

    “The Brazilian government considers the use of political arguments to defend the trade measures announced by the U.S. government against Brazilian exports to be unjustifiable,” it said in a statement.

    Lula added that Brazil was willing to negotiate trade with the U.S., but that it would not give up on the tools it had at hand to defend itself, hinting that retaliation was possible.

    Still, Trump‘s tariff order threatened that if Brazil were to retaliate, the U.S. would also up the ante.

    DIPLOMACY AT WORK

    Despite Trump‘s effort to use the tariffs to alter the trajectory of a pivotal criminal trial, the range of exemptions came as a relief for many in Brasilia, who since Trump announced the tariff earlier this month had been urging protections for major exporters caught in the crossfire.

    “We’re not facing the worst-case scenario,” Brazilian Treasury Secretary Rogerio Ceron told reporters.

    The new tariffs will go into effect on August 6, not on Friday as Trump announced originally.

    Trump‘s executive order formalizing a 50% tariff excluded dozens of key Brazilian exports to the United States, including civil aircraft, pig iron, precious metals, wood pulp, energy and fertilizers.

    Planemaker Embraer EMBR3.SA, whose chief executive has met with officials in Washington and U.S. clients in recent days to plead its case for relief, said an initial review indicated that a 10% tariff imposed by Trump in April remains in place, with the exclusion applying to the additional 40%.

    The exceptions are likely a response to concerns from U.S. companies, rather than a step back from Trump‘s efforts to influence Brazilian politics, said Rafael Favetti, a partner at political consultancy Fatto Inteligencia Politica in Brasilia.

    “This also shows that Brazilian diplomacy did its work correctly by working to raise awareness among U.S. companies,” he said.

    Brazil‘s minister of foreign affairs, Mauro Vieira, said he met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday to express the nation’s willingness to discuss tariffs after negotiations stalled in June, though he stressed Bolsonaro’s legal troubles were not up for debate.

    It remains unclear what Brazilian authorities “are bringing to the negotiating table to, for instance, open the domestic market,” Goldman Sachs said in a note to clients.

    IMPACT SMALLER THAN EXPECTED

    The effective tariff rate on Brazilian shipments to the U.S. should be around 30.8%, lower than previously expected due to the exemptions, according to Goldman.

    Oil shipments to the U.S., which had been suspended, are set to restart after being spared, lobby group IBP said. Meanwhile, mining lobby Ibram said the exemptions covered 75% of mining exports.

    However, it was still too soon to celebrate, said former Brazilian trade secretary Welber Barral, estimating that Brazil exports some 3,000 different products to the United States.

    “There will be an impact,” Barral said.

    Trump‘s tariff exemptions did not shield two of Brazil‘s key exports to the U.S., beef and coffee.

    Meatpackers expect to log $1 billion in losses in the second half of the year on the new tariffs, lobby group Abiec, which represents beef producers including JBS JBS3.SA and Marfrig MRFG3.SA, said.

    Coffee exporters will also continue to push for exemptions, they said in a statement.

    The government said it was readying measures to protect Brazil‘s businesses and workers.

    If Brazil were to retaliate against Trump‘s measures, that “would generate a larger negative impact” on activity and inflation, Goldman said.

    “The political inclination may be to retaliate, but exporters and business associations have been urging the Brazilian administration to engage, negotiate and de-escalate.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Lufthansa Group increases Adjusted EBIT by 27 percent in the second quarter and confirms full-year forecast

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG:

    “The Lufthansa Group remains on course. Although the second quarter was again marked by geopolitical crises and economic uncertainties, we are today confirming our positive outlook for the full year. However, 2025 will remain a year of transformation for us, as delays in aircraft deliveries, certifications, and engine overhauls continue. The disproportionate burden on European airlines due to unilateral EU regulations also continues to put us at a disadvantage in global competition.

    In this challenging environment, we were able to increase our operating result by almost a third in the second quarter and double the Lufthansa Group result. The basis for this economic success is and remains the regained operational stability of our airlines. Thanks to the tremendous commitment of our employees on board and on the ground, we are now able to report positive operating results for the first six months of the year. Our core brand achieved its best stability and punctuality figures since 2016. This not only significantly improved customer satisfaction but also had a noticeable impact on earnings due to lower compensation payments.

    Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Technik once again demonstrated their global leading performance in the first half of 2025. It is also encouraging that our investment in ITA Airways is already contributing to the Group’s financial success.

    We are continuing our necessary efforts to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability, particularly in the turnaround of our core brand, in order to expand our position as the world’s largest airline group outside the US.”

    Results

    In the second quarter of 2025, the Lufthansa Group increased its revenue by three percent year-on-year to 10.3 billion euros (previous year: 10.0 billion euros). The Lufthansa Group generated an operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) of 871 million euros (previous year: 686 million euros). The improvement in earnings was mainly due to the four percent expansion of the flight program in the passenger business, a positive result from the investment in ITA Airways of 91 million euros, partly due to currency effects, and the doubling of the operating result of the logistics business segment compared to the previous year. As a result, the operating margin increased by 1.5 percentage points year-on-year in the second quarter. The Group net result was 1.01 billion euros, more than double the previous year’s figure (469 million euros). This disproportionate increase was due to extraordinary tax effects and currency effects.

    Passenger numbers and traffic development

    In the first half of the year, more than 61 million passengers flew with the airlines of the Lufthansa Group, an increase of two percent compared with 2024. In the second quarter alone, the airlines welcomed around 37 million passengers (previous year: 35.9 million) on board. Despite a four percent increase in seat capacity, the load factor remained stable compared with the previous year at 82 percent.

    The passenger airlines’ revenue per available seat kilometer (RASK) declined slightly by 0.9 percent in the second quarter compared with 2024 after adjusting for currency effects. This was primarily due to lower average prices in the European business as a result of intensifying competition. In contrast, average revenues from intercontinental traffic remained stable despite a market-wide expansion of capacity. Unit costs (CASK) excluding fuel and emissions expenses rose by 4.1 percent compared with the same quarter last year due to ongoing cost inflation, driven in particular by personnel and location costs.

    Overall, revenue from passenger airlines rose by three percent to 8.2 billion euros in the second quarter (previous year: 8.0 billion euros). Adjusted EBIT increased to 690 million euros (previous year: 581 million euros). All airlines generated a positive result in the second quarter.

    In the first half year, revenue for the passenger airlines totaled 14.1 billion euros, representing growth of around four percent compared with the previous year. Adjusted EBIT improved to -244 million euros (first half of 2024: -337 million euros). The positive development is mainly attributable to lower fuel costs, higher income from investments, and the absence of financial strike-related expenses in the previous year. In contrast to the first half of 2024, network stability also improved significantly, resulting in a 106 million euros reduction in financial expenses due to flight irregularities.

    The integration of ITA Airways, in which the Lufthansa Group holds a 41 percent stake in the first phase, is continuing to progress. The benefits for customers are already clearly noticeable. Since the beginning of July, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways have harmonized the benefits for their respective status customers, such as mutual lounge access, priority boarding, and conditions for additional baggage.

    Also since July, flights from Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines can be combined with long-haul flights from ITA Airways in a single booking. This has been possible for short- and medium-haul flights since March.

    Starting in September, ITA Airways guests will be able to store their travel profile electronically in the Lufthansa Group Travel ID and benefit from the associated digital customer services of the Lufthansa Group.

    Lufthansa Airlines continues to implement Turnaround program

    Lufthansa Airlines’ Turnaround program remains on track. Increasing operational stability forms the foundation for the success of this program. Significant progress has already been made in this regard: punctuality and reliability achieved their best figures in ten years in the first six months. At the same time, revenues increased. Revenue from flight-related ancillary services rose by more than 25 percent in the first half of the year. In addition, structural measures have been initiated with the announced closure of the customer service center in Peterborough (Canada) and the associated reduction in personnel, which will make Lufthansa Airlines more efficient in the long term. The Turnaround measures are expected to have a gross earnings effect of 1.5 billion euros in 2026 and 2.5 billion euros in 2028.

    Lufthansa Technik at record levels in the first half of the year, Lufthansa Cargo doubles its second quarter result compared with the previous year

    The sustained high demand for air travel is leading to a further increase in demand for maintenance and repair services. Lufthansa Technik’s revenue rose by eight percent to 2.0 billion euros in the second quarter (same quarter last year: 1.8 billion euros). Ongoing material shortages, the US dollar exchange rate and increased US tariffs led to a ten percent increase in expenses compared with the same quarter last year. Nevertheless, Lufthansa Technik achieved an Adjusted EBIT of 310 million euros in the first half of 2025, once again setting a new record.

    Lufthansa Cargo continued the positive trend of the first three months of the year in the second quarter. With an Adjusted EBIT of 73 million euros, the operating result in the second quarter doubled compared with the previous year (second quarter of 2024: 36 million euros). High demand for Asian e-commerce shipments and capacity bottlenecks in sea freight traffic led to an increase in demand and thus a higher load factor for Lufthansa Cargo. Since June 2025, Lufthansa Cargo has been marketing the freight capacity of ITA Airways’ South American routes to Rome. Lufthansa Cargo plans to gradually expand the marketing of belly capacity to all continental and intercontinental routes of the Italian airline. This will further consolidate Lufthansa Cargo’s route network.

    Balance sheet strengthened, debt reduced

    The Lufthansa Group’s operating cashflow amounted to around 2.8 billion euros in the first half of the year (previous year: 2.7 billion euros). Net investments remained at the previous year’s level at 1.6 billion euros. Overall, the Lufthansa Group generated an Adjusted Free Cashflow of 1.04 billion euros (previous year: 878 million euros).

    Net debt decreased slightly to 5.5 billion euros compared with the end of 2024 (December 31, 2024: 5.7 billion euros). Net pension obligations fell by 400 million euros to 2.2 billion euros due to the higher discount rate. The Lufthansa Group’s available liquidity increased by 100 million euros compared with the beginning of the year to 11.1 billion euros.

    Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG:

    “We continue to operate in a volatile environment with high uncertainty and high cost pressure. I am therefore pleased to be able to present another quarterly result that is significantly above the previous year and to report progress in our Turnaround program. In our assessment, opportunities and risks are balanced. We therefore continue to expect a full year 2025 result significantly above the previous year and Adjusted Free Cashflow at approximately the previous year’s level. We thereby confirm our guidance. At the same time, we are closely monitoring macroeconomic developments and can respond flexibly to changes in the business environment.”

    Outlook

    Global demand for air travel remains strong. However, geopolitical crises and macroeconomic uncertainties, particularly commodity price and exchange rate volatility, are affecting the accuracy of forecasts for the rest of the year. In addition, the tendency of many travelers to book at shorter notice is limiting visibility for the second half of the year.

    Despite ongoing global uncertainties, the Lufthansa Group is reaffirming its forecast for the full year and expects operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) to be significantly higher than last year (previous year: 1.6 billion euros) with capacity growth of around four percent.

    The company continues to expect Adjusted Free Cashflow to remain at the previous year’s level (previous year: 840 million euros). This includes net investments of 2.7 to 3.3 billion euros, primarily for the ongoing fleet renewal.

    Among other things, this will finance the remaining payments for the first Boeing 787-9 long-haul aircraft at the group’s largest hub in Frankfurt. By the end of the year, up to ten of these ‘Dreamliner’ with the new Allegris seat generation are expected to be added to the group’s fleet. In summer 2026, Lufthansa Airlines plans to operate a total of 15 Boeing 787-9 s from Frankfurt, more than doubling the number of aircraft offering the Lufthansa Allegris premium product to customers.

    Further information

    Further information on the results of individual business segments will be published in the report for the second quarter of 2025. This will be published simultaneously with this press release on July 31 at 7:00 a.m. CEST at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/financial-reports-publications/financial-reports.html.

    Traffic figures for the second quarter of 2025 will also be published at 7:00 a.m. CEST at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/financial-reports-publications/traffic-figures.html.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Lufthansa Group increases Adjusted EBIT by 27 percent in the second quarter and confirms full-year forecast

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG:

    “The Lufthansa Group remains on course. Although the second quarter was again marked by geopolitical crises and economic uncertainties, we are today confirming our positive outlook for the full year. However, 2025 will remain a year of transformation for us, as delays in aircraft deliveries, certifications, and engine overhauls continue. The disproportionate burden on European airlines due to unilateral EU regulations also continues to put us at a disadvantage in global competition.

    In this challenging environment, we were able to increase our operating result by almost a third in the second quarter and double the Lufthansa Group result. The basis for this economic success is and remains the regained operational stability of our airlines. Thanks to the tremendous commitment of our employees on board and on the ground, we are now able to report positive operating results for the first six months of the year. Our core brand achieved its best stability and punctuality figures since 2016. This not only significantly improved customer satisfaction but also had a noticeable impact on earnings due to lower compensation payments.

    Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Technik once again demonstrated their global leading performance in the first half of 2025. It is also encouraging that our investment in ITA Airways is already contributing to the Group’s financial success.

    We are continuing our necessary efforts to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability, particularly in the turnaround of our core brand, in order to expand our position as the world’s largest airline group outside the US.”

    Results

    In the second quarter of 2025, the Lufthansa Group increased its revenue by three percent year-on-year to 10.3 billion euros (previous year: 10.0 billion euros). The Lufthansa Group generated an operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) of 871 million euros (previous year: 686 million euros). The improvement in earnings was mainly due to the four percent expansion of the flight program in the passenger business, a positive result from the investment in ITA Airways of 91 million euros, partly due to currency effects, and the doubling of the operating result of the logistics business segment compared to the previous year. As a result, the operating margin increased by 1.5 percentage points year-on-year in the second quarter. The Group net result was 1.01 billion euros, more than double the previous year’s figure (469 million euros). This disproportionate increase was due to extraordinary tax effects and currency effects.

    Passenger numbers and traffic development

    In the first half of the year, more than 61 million passengers flew with the airlines of the Lufthansa Group, an increase of two percent compared with 2024. In the second quarter alone, the airlines welcomed around 37 million passengers (previous year: 35.9 million) on board. Despite a four percent increase in seat capacity, the load factor remained stable compared with the previous year at 82 percent.

    The passenger airlines’ revenue per available seat kilometer (RASK) declined slightly by 0.9 percent in the second quarter compared with 2024 after adjusting for currency effects. This was primarily due to lower average prices in the European business as a result of intensifying competition. In contrast, average revenues from intercontinental traffic remained stable despite a market-wide expansion of capacity. Unit costs (CASK) excluding fuel and emissions expenses rose by 4.1 percent compared with the same quarter last year due to ongoing cost inflation, driven in particular by personnel and location costs.

    Overall, revenue from passenger airlines rose by three percent to 8.2 billion euros in the second quarter (previous year: 8.0 billion euros). Adjusted EBIT increased to 690 million euros (previous year: 581 million euros). All airlines generated a positive result in the second quarter.

    In the first half year, revenue for the passenger airlines totaled 14.1 billion euros, representing growth of around four percent compared with the previous year. Adjusted EBIT improved to -244 million euros (first half of 2024: -337 million euros). The positive development is mainly attributable to lower fuel costs, higher income from investments, and the absence of financial strike-related expenses in the previous year. In contrast to the first half of 2024, network stability also improved significantly, resulting in a 106 million euros reduction in financial expenses due to flight irregularities.

    The integration of ITA Airways, in which the Lufthansa Group holds a 41 percent stake in the first phase, is continuing to progress. The benefits for customers are already clearly noticeable. Since the beginning of July, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways have harmonized the benefits for their respective status customers, such as mutual lounge access, priority boarding, and conditions for additional baggage.

    Also since July, flights from Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines can be combined with long-haul flights from ITA Airways in a single booking. This has been possible for short- and medium-haul flights since March.

    Starting in September, ITA Airways guests will be able to store their travel profile electronically in the Lufthansa Group Travel ID and benefit from the associated digital customer services of the Lufthansa Group.

    Lufthansa Airlines continues to implement Turnaround program

    Lufthansa Airlines’ Turnaround program remains on track. Increasing operational stability forms the foundation for the success of this program. Significant progress has already been made in this regard: punctuality and reliability achieved their best figures in ten years in the first six months. At the same time, revenues increased. Revenue from flight-related ancillary services rose by more than 25 percent in the first half of the year. In addition, structural measures have been initiated with the announced closure of the customer service center in Peterborough (Canada) and the associated reduction in personnel, which will make Lufthansa Airlines more efficient in the long term. The Turnaround measures are expected to have a gross earnings effect of 1.5 billion euros in 2026 and 2.5 billion euros in 2028.

    Lufthansa Technik at record levels in the first half of the year, Lufthansa Cargo doubles its second quarter result compared with the previous year

    The sustained high demand for air travel is leading to a further increase in demand for maintenance and repair services. Lufthansa Technik’s revenue rose by eight percent to 2.0 billion euros in the second quarter (same quarter last year: 1.8 billion euros). Ongoing material shortages, the US dollar exchange rate and increased US tariffs led to a ten percent increase in expenses compared with the same quarter last year. Nevertheless, Lufthansa Technik achieved an Adjusted EBIT of 310 million euros in the first half of 2025, once again setting a new record.

    Lufthansa Cargo continued the positive trend of the first three months of the year in the second quarter. With an Adjusted EBIT of 73 million euros, the operating result in the second quarter doubled compared with the previous year (second quarter of 2024: 36 million euros). High demand for Asian e-commerce shipments and capacity bottlenecks in sea freight traffic led to an increase in demand and thus a higher load factor for Lufthansa Cargo. Since June 2025, Lufthansa Cargo has been marketing the freight capacity of ITA Airways’ South American routes to Rome. Lufthansa Cargo plans to gradually expand the marketing of belly capacity to all continental and intercontinental routes of the Italian airline. This will further consolidate Lufthansa Cargo’s route network.

    Balance sheet strengthened, debt reduced

    The Lufthansa Group’s operating cashflow amounted to around 2.8 billion euros in the first half of the year (previous year: 2.7 billion euros). Net investments remained at the previous year’s level at 1.6 billion euros. Overall, the Lufthansa Group generated an Adjusted Free Cashflow of 1.04 billion euros (previous year: 878 million euros).

    Net debt decreased slightly to 5.5 billion euros compared with the end of 2024 (December 31, 2024: 5.7 billion euros). Net pension obligations fell by 400 million euros to 2.2 billion euros due to the higher discount rate. The Lufthansa Group’s available liquidity increased by 100 million euros compared with the beginning of the year to 11.1 billion euros.

    Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG:

    “We continue to operate in a volatile environment with high uncertainty and high cost pressure. I am therefore pleased to be able to present another quarterly result that is significantly above the previous year and to report progress in our Turnaround program. In our assessment, opportunities and risks are balanced. We therefore continue to expect a full year 2025 result significantly above the previous year and Adjusted Free Cashflow at approximately the previous year’s level. We thereby confirm our guidance. At the same time, we are closely monitoring macroeconomic developments and can respond flexibly to changes in the business environment.”

    Outlook

    Global demand for air travel remains strong. However, geopolitical crises and macroeconomic uncertainties, particularly commodity price and exchange rate volatility, are affecting the accuracy of forecasts for the rest of the year. In addition, the tendency of many travelers to book at shorter notice is limiting visibility for the second half of the year.

    Despite ongoing global uncertainties, the Lufthansa Group is reaffirming its forecast for the full year and expects operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) to be significantly higher than last year (previous year: 1.6 billion euros) with capacity growth of around four percent.

    The company continues to expect Adjusted Free Cashflow to remain at the previous year’s level (previous year: 840 million euros). This includes net investments of 2.7 to 3.3 billion euros, primarily for the ongoing fleet renewal.

    Among other things, this will finance the remaining payments for the first Boeing 787-9 long-haul aircraft at the group’s largest hub in Frankfurt. By the end of the year, up to ten of these ‘Dreamliner’ with the new Allegris seat generation are expected to be added to the group’s fleet. In summer 2026, Lufthansa Airlines plans to operate a total of 15 Boeing 787-9 s from Frankfurt, more than doubling the number of aircraft offering the Lufthansa Allegris premium product to customers.

    Further information

    Further information on the results of individual business segments will be published in the report for the second quarter of 2025. This will be published simultaneously with this press release on July 31 at 7:00 a.m. CEST at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/financial-reports-publications/financial-reports.html.

    Traffic figures for the second quarter of 2025 will also be published at 7:00 a.m. CEST at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/financial-reports-publications/traffic-figures.html.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley, Johnson, Krishnamoorthi, Moolenar Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Safeguard U.S. Infrastructure from Foreign Spy Technology

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI) announced the reintroduction of the Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act, bipartisan legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation from using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology produced by foreign adversaries.

    LiDAR technology produces highly detailed 3-D maps used to manage transportation infrastructure, improve traffic safety, and support airport and disaster response operations. However, companies from foreign adversaries, like China, are expanding their footprint in this critical industry. Given Chinese laws requiring companies to share data with their government, this technology poses a growing risk of foreign surveillance and interference with U.S. infrastructure. This bipartisan bill would ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to purchase equipment that could compromise, disrupt, or manipulate our nation’s critical infrastructure.

    “While LiDAR technology is widely employed in our nation’s transit infrastructure, including in airports, autonomous vehicles, and traffic control systems, it is increasingly being produced by Chinese companies that are required to hand over any data collected by their equipment to the Chinese government upon request. This raises serious concerns that China could not only access sensitive data mapping U.S. infrastructure, but also use it to disrupt the systems that rely on their technology,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “Now more than ever, we must remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding the infrastructure that Americans depend on every day.”

    “LiDAR technology creates incredibly detailed maps of its surroundings. Allowing our adversaries like China to have access to these maps of critical infrastructure like ports, railways, airports, roads, and bridges could allow them to disrupt our supply chains and cause a national security crisis,” said Congressman Johnson. “My bill ensures our nation’s critical infrastructure is protected from the malign interests of the Chinese Communist Party.”

    “LiDAR is essential to modern infrastructure, but when it’s controlled by companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party, it becomes a security risk,” said Select Committee on China Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi. “We can’t allow adversaries to gather sensitive data or disrupt our systems. This bill takes a necessary step to keep our infrastructure secure and our technology supply chains trusted.”

    “Taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund technology from our adversaries,” said Select Committee on China Chairman Moolenaar (R-MI). “This bill makes America’s critical infrastructure more secure from foreign surveillance and influence by ensuring the Department of Transportation is not supporting the growing market share of Chinese-made LiDAR equipment. It’s a common-sense step to put American security first.”

    “Trucks reach every corner of the country and routinely access some of our nation’s most sensitive sites—such as ports, border crossings, and military installations. That is why supply chain and infrastructure security are very important to our industry,” said Henry Hanscom, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs at the American Trucking Associations. “The American Trucking Associations commends Reps. Johnson, Brownley, Moolenaar, and Krishnamoorthi for taking this issue seriously by working to block potential national security threats from foreign-owned LiDAR technology.”

    “This legislation marks an important step forward in strengthening the security of America’s transportation systems and critical infrastructure. As LiDAR technology becomes increasingly central to the future of transportation, including autonomous systems, it’s essential that the technology used to build and operate our national infrastructure is safe, secure, and protected against adversarial interference,” said Michael Robbins, President and CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    ###

    Issues: 119th Congress, National Security, Transportation and Infrastructure

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Appropriators Advance Bill with Alaska Priorities for Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

    07.30.25

    Washington, DC – Last week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to advance the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development bill for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) that contains significant Alaska priorities. The bill was approved in committee and will now advance to the Senate floor for consideration.

    “This funding meets some of Alaska’s most critical needs, ranging from affordable housing to infrastructure improvements,” said Senator Murkowski. “I look forward to continuing to advocate for these wide-ranging investments that will benefit all Americans and provide stability for those who need some help getting back on their feet.”

    Highlights from the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Bill

    Investments in Aviation Safety

    Air travel is a way of life in Alaska, and oftentimes pilots are flying without guidance or accurate weather assessments. In recognition of these life-threatening conditions, Senator Murkowski is focused on bolstering aviation safety in Alaska and around the country. To that end, the THUD appropriations bill invests $20 million for the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative (DYAASI), and $687.5 million for Essential Air Service.

    Bolstering Infrastructure

    Senator Murkowski understands the diverse infrastructure needs in Alaska and around the country. Ensuring America’s roads, railroads, and maritime transport routes remain safe and efficient is essential. This bill provides for $63 billion for the Federal Highway Administration, $2.9 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration, and $874 million for the Maritime Administration, including $30 million for Assistance to Small Shipyards Grants and $75 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program.

    Supporting Community Development Initiatives

    Senator Murkowski recognizes the importance of having a safe place to call home for people of all ages, and how difficult it is to secure it. She advocated for significant funding for initiatives that aim to make housing more accessible in communities around the country.

    Senator Murkowski ensured a continued investment of $107 million in funding for the Youth Homeless Demonstration Program, which takes a comprehensive, community-based approach to reduce the number of young people experiencing homelessness. She also secured $1.25 billion for the HOME Investment Partnership Program, which provides the Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for grants used by states, local governments, and nonprofits to buy, build, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing options for low-income Americans. She also successfully fought for $52 million to rehouse survivors of domestic violence. Additionally, Senator Murkowski advocated for significant investments in Tribal Housing programs, $1.11 billion for Indian Housing Block Grants, and $10 million for Tribal Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers.

    In addition to programmatic funding to help Alaskans, Senator Murkowski was able to secure investments specific to 27 Alaska communities, projects that have been requested and prioritized by local governments and organizations in this bill:

    • Anchorage: $1,600,000 for Covenant House Alaska to purchase the Dena’ina House.
    • Anchorage: $287,000 for NeighborWorks Alaska to replace their fire alarm system.
    • Anchorage: $750,000 for Anchorage Community Land Trust for building repairs.
    • Anchorage: $320,000 for Catholic Social Services to improve accessibility and egress at shelter.
    • Buckland, Noatak, Kivalina: $330,000 for Northwest Arctic Borough School District to construct and renovate teacher housing.
    • Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of AK: $2,500,000 to provide housing for first responders in Angoon, Hydaburg, Kake, Thorne Bay, and Pelican.
    • City of Angoon: $2,000,000 to design and construct access to boat launch facility.
    • Cordova: $750,000 for Cordova Family Resource Center to purchase and renovate a building.
    • Craig: $900,000 for Helping Ourselves Prevent Emergencies (HOPE) to purchase a building for a domestic violence shelter.
    • Emmonak: $4,000,000 through the Denali Commission to construct a domestic violence shelter.
    • Fairbanks: $5,000,000 for the Alaska Department of Transportation (AKDOT) for road reconstruction.
    • Fairbanks: $2,000,000 for North Star Council on Aging to rehabilitate senior housing.
    • Fairbanks: $1,000,000 for Fairbanks Neighborhood Housing Services Inc to construct affordable housing.
    • Fairbanks: $700,000 for Fairbanks Youth Advocates to build transitional housing for youth at risk of homelessness.
    • Haines: $1,000,000 for Borough of Haines to construct an early childhood education building.
    • Kake: $2,000,000 for Kake Tribal Corporation to replace a dock.
    • Ketchikan: $1,575,000 for Inter-Island Ferry Authority for marine vessel upgrades.
    • Ketchikan: $1,000,000 for Southeast Alaska Independent Living, Inc. to purchase and renovate a building to support people with disabilities.
    • Ketchikan: $2,000,000 for Ketchikan Indian Community to construct a navigation center.
    • Minto: $608,000 for Yukon Koyukuk School District to renovate teacher housing.
    • Naknek: $2,000,000 for South Naknek Village Council to construct affordable housing.
    • Native Village of Diomede: $1,500,000 to renovate teacher housing.
    • Native Village of Unalakleet: $255,000 to construct housing for victims of violent crimes.
    • Nome: $4,000,000 for City of Nome to construct housing for teachers and public safety officers.
    • Nulato Village: $4,000,000 for Nulato Village for port infrastructure improvements.
    • Petersburg: $2,000,000 for Petersburg Borough to replace a float and breakwater at Banana Point.
    • Saint Paul Island: $1,000,000 for City of Saint Paul for fire station construction and renovation.
    • Seldovia: $482,000 for City of Seldovia to replace the Jakolof Bay Dock.
    • Sitka: $1,000,000 for Sitkans Against Family Violence to construct and renovate a domestic violence shelter.
    • Soldotna: $2,387,000 for AKDOT to reconstruct a portion of Marydale Avenue.
    • Talkeetna: $4,500,000 for Sunshine Station Child Care Center to design and construct a new childcare center.
    • Thorne Bay: $1,574,000 for City of Thorne Bay to construct a new Fire and EMS building.
    • Wasilla: $3,000,000 for Wasilla Airport (IYS) to design and extend runway.
    • Yakutat: $2,000,000 for City & Borough of Yakutat to build housing.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • NISAR launch a landmark in Indo-US space cooperation, set to transform earth observation: Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded the successful launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite on Wednesday, calling it a “global benchmark” in Earth observation and a powerful symbol of Indo-US scientific collaboration.

    Though parliamentary duties kept him in the capital, Singh joined scientists and senior officials at the CSIR Auditorium in New Delhi to witness the satellite’s flawless lift-off aboard the GSLV-F16 rocket via live telecast from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

    “NISAR is not just a satellite; it is India’s scientific handshake with the world,” Singh said, emphasising that the mission represents the growing strength of India’s space programme and its transition from utility-based goals to knowledge-driven global initiatives.

    The 2,393-kg satellite is the first in the world to carry dual-frequency synthetic aperture radars—L-band by NASA and S-band by ISRO—on a single platform. This enables high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging of Earth’s land and ice surfaces, with a revisit time of just 12 days.

    In a first for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the GSLV-F16 successfully placed the satellite into a 747-kilometre Sun-synchronous Polar Orbit, marking the vehicle’s 18th mission and its 12th flight using an indigenous cryogenic stage.

    Singh highlighted NISAR’s broad utility in areas such as disaster management, glacier tracking, agriculture monitoring, climate observation, and more. But he also stressed the mission’s extended value across sectors like aviation safety, maritime navigation, coastal management, and urban planning.

    “This satellite will be a data backbone for smarter decisions in shipping routes, air traffic systems, and infrastructure development,” he said.

    The open-access data policy of NISAR will benefit global researchers, disaster-response agencies, and developing nations, making cutting-edge Earth observation insights widely available over its five-year mission life.

    Jointly funded by NASA and ISRO, the $1.5 billion mission involved significant hardware contributions from both agencies. NASA provided the L-band radar, GPS receiver, high-rate telecom system, and 12-meter deployable antenna, while ISRO contributed the S-band radar, spacecraft bus, launch vehicle, and support systems.

    Singh concluded by attributing India’s space advancements to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “From Chandrayaan to NISAR, we are not just launching satellites—we are launching new possibilities for global science, sustainability, and shared progress.”

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Action to Address the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    STRENGTHENING AMERICA’S COPPER INDUSTRY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation to address the effects of copper imports on America’s national security, including by imposing tariffs on several categories of copper imports.
    The Proclamation imposes universal 50% tariffs on imports of semi-finished copper products (such as copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes) and copper-intensive derivative products (such as pipe fittings, cables, connectors, and electrical components), effective August 1.
    The copper 232 tariffs apply to the copper content of a product; non-copper content of a product remains subject to reciprocal tariffs or other applicable duties. These tariffs do not stack.
    The copper 232 tariffs do not stack with auto 232 tariffs. If a product is subject to auto 232 tariffs, then the auto 232 tariffs apply, not the copper 232 tariffs. 
    Copper input materials (such as copper ores, concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes) and copper scrap are not subject to 232 or reciprocal tariffs.

    The Proclamation directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a product “inclusion” process to add copper derivative products to these tariffs.
    The President is also authorizing the Secretary of Commerce to take steps under the Defense Production Act to support the domestic copper industry, including:
    Requiring 25% of high-quality copper scrap produced in the United States to be sold in the United States. This will improve access to this important feedstock for domestic fabricators and secondary refiners.
    Commerce also recommended an export licensing requirement for high-quality copper scrap to ensure adequate domestic supply.

    Requiring 25% of copper input materials (such as copper ores, concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes) produced in the United States to be sold in the United States – starting at 25% in 2027, increasing to 30% in 2028 and 40% in 2029. This will boost U.S. refining capacity by ensuring low-cost inputs while domestic refiners grow their operations.

    By taking these actions, President Trump is leveling the playing field for U.S. copper businesses to support a strong domestic copper industry.
    ADDRESSING THE EFFECTS OF COPPER IMPORTS: The Proclamation follows the Secretary of Commerce’s completion of a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended.
    President Trump directed the initiation of the Section 232 investigation through Executive Order 14220 of February 25, 2025, “Addressing the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper.” The investigation found that:
    Copper is essential to the manufacturing foundation on which U.S. national and economic security depend. Copper is a necessary input in a range of defense systems, including aircraft, ground vehicles, ships, submarines, missiles, and ammunition. It is the Department of Defense’s second-most used material, and it plays a central role in the broader U.S. industrial base.
    Foreign competitors’ predatory practices and excessive environmental regulations have undercut the American copper industry and domestic investment in smelting, refining, and fabrication facilities.
    The U.S. now has a massive trade deficit in, and an unsustainable dependence on, many foreign copper products.

    REVITALIZING DOMESTIC INDUSTRY AND REDUCING TRADE IMBALANCES: This Proclamation builds on previous actions taken by the Trump Administration to ensure U.S. trade and industrial policies serve the national interest.
    On Day One, President Trump established his America First Trade Policy to make America’s economy great again.
    President Trump signed Proclamations to close existing loopholes and exemptions and elevate tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%.
    President Trump implemented a 10% additional tariff on imports from China in response to China’s role in the border crisis. 
    President Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs to take back America’s economic sovereignty and address nonreciprocal trade relationships that threaten our economic and national security.
    President Trump has issued several Executive Orders and Presidential Memoranda to boost mining, manufacturing, and investment in domestic industry, including by reducing regulations and eliminating bureaucracy.
    President Trump signed a Memorandum to safeguard American innovation, including the consideration of tariffs to combat digital service taxes, fines, practices, and policies that foreign governments levy on American companies.
    President Trump has initiated several other Section 232 investigations in addition to the one on which he is taking action today.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Tests Epic Solution for Supersonic Parachute Deliveries

    Source: NASA

    [embedded content]

    NASA/Lori Losey

    The best way to solve a mystery is by gathering evidence and building a case. That’s exactly what NASA researchers are doing with a series of research flights aimed at advancing a sensor for supersonic parachutes. The clues they find could help make these parachutes more reliable and safer for delivering scientific instruments and payloads to Mars.
    These investigative research flights are led by the EPIC (Enhancing Parachutes by Instrumenting the Canopy) team at NASA’s Armstrong Fight Research Center in Edwards, California. During a June flight test, a quadrotor aircraft, or drone, air-launched a capsule that deployed a parachute equipped with a sensor. The flexible, strain-measuring sensor attached to the parachute did not interfere with the canopy material, just as the EPIC team had predicted. The sensors also provided data, a bonus for planning upcoming tests.
    “Reviewing the research flights will help inform our next steps,” said Matt Kearns, project manager for EPIC at NASA Armstrong. “We are speaking with potential partners to come up with a framework to obtain the data that they are interested in pursuing. Our team members are developing methods for temperature testing the flexible sensors, data analysis, and looking into instrumentation for future tests.”
    The flight tests were a first step toward filling gaps in computer models to improve supersonic parachutes. This work could also open the door to future partnerships, including with the aerospace and auto racing industries.
    NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) funds the EPIC work through its Entry Systems Modeling project at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. The capsule and parachute system were developed by NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. NASA Armstrong interns worked with Langley to build and integrate a similar system for testing at NASA Armstrong. An earlier phase of the work focused on finding commercially available flexible strain sensors and developing a bonding method as part of an STMD Early Career Initiative project.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: 354th AEW takes ACE, interoperability to the skies for REFORPAC 25

    Source: United States Airforce

    The intent of the exercise was to enhance interoperability between allied and partnered multi-national air forces while working in Agile Combat Employment conditions, relying on the launching, recovering and maintaining aircraft from dispersed locations throughout the Indo-Pacific.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Adjusting Imports of Copper into the United States

    Source: US Whitehouse

    class=”has-text-align-center”> BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
     
    A PROCLAMATION

    1.  On June 30, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of copper in all forms (copper), including copper ores, copper concentrates, refined copper, copper alloys, scrap copper, and derivative products, on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1862 (section 232).  Based on the facts considered in that investigation, the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that copper is being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.

    2.  The Secretary found that the present quantities of copper imports and the circumstances of global excess capacity for producing copper are weakening our economy, resulting in the persistent threat of further closures of domestic copper production facilities and the shrinking of our ability to meet national security production requirements.  Because of these risks, and taking into account the close relation of the economic welfare of the Nation to our national security and other relevant factors, see 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), the Secretary found that the present quantities and circumstances of copper imports threaten to impair the national security as provided in section 232.

    3.  In reaching this conclusion, the Secretary found that copper is essential to the manufacturing foundation on which United States national and economic security depend.  Copper is the second most widely used material by the Department of Defense and is a necessary input in a range of defense systems, including aircraft, ground vehicles, ships, submarines, missiles, and ammunition.  Copper also plays a central role in the broader United States industrial base.  The metal’s exceptional electrical conductivity and durability also make it indispensable to critical infrastructure sectors that support the American economy, national security, and public health.  Alternatives to copper are insufficient substitutes for these vital industries and products in many circumstances.

    4.  The Secretary found that the United States was a world leader across the value chain of copper production (mining, refining, semi-finished goods, and finished goods containing copper) for most of the 20th century.  But despite copper being a crucial material in manufacturing and for the national and economic security of the United States, United States copper production has plummeted.  Today, a single foreign country dominates global copper smelting and refining, controlling over 50 percent of global smelting capacity and holding four of the top five largest refining facilities.

    5.  The Secretary found that unfair trade practices abroad, exacerbated by overly burdensome environmental regulations at home, have hollowed out United States copper refining and smelting, caused the United States to be overly reliant on foreign copper imports, and prevent a path forward without strong corrective action.  Foreign competitors leverage state subsidies and overproduction to flood international markets with artificially low-priced copper products, driving United States producers out of business.  The United States is now dangerously dependent on foreign imports of semi-finished copper, intensive copper derivative products, and copper-containing products, and imbalances in the global markets make domestic investment increasingly unviable.

    6.  The Secretary found that United States dependency on foreign sources of copper is a national security vulnerability that could be exploited by foreign countries, weakens United States industrial resilience, exposes the American people to supply chain disruptions, economic instability, and strategic vulnerabilities, and jeopardizes the United States defense industrial base. 

    7.  In light of these findings, the Secretary recommended a range of actions to adjust the imports of copper so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security.  For example, the Secretary recommended an immediate universal 30 percent import duty on semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products.  The Secretary also recommended a phased universal tariff on refined copper of 15 percent starting in 2027 and 30 percent starting in 2028.  The Secretary further recommended a domestic sales requirement for copper input materials starting at 25 percent in 2027, a domestic sales requirement of 25 percent for high-quality copper scrap, and export controls for high-quality copper scrap. 

    8.  After considering the Secretary’s report, the factors in section 232(d), 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), and other relevant factors, among other things, I concur with the Secretary’s finding that copper is being imported into the United States in quantities and under circumstances that threaten to impair the national security of the United States.  In my judgment, and in light of the Secretary’s report, the factors in section 232(d), 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), and other relevant factors, among other things, I also determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose tariffs, as described below, to adjust imports of copper and its derivatives so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security of the United States.

    9.  To ensure that the tariffs on copper in this proclamation are not circumvented and that the purpose of this action to address the threat to impair the national security of the United States posed by imports of copper is not undermined, I also deem it necessary and appropriate to set up a process to identify and impose tariffs on certain derivatives of copper, as further described below.

    10.  In my judgment, the action in this proclamation will, among other things, help increase domestic production of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, thereby reducing our Nation’s reliance on foreign sources.  It will ensure that domestic fabricators are able to supply sufficient quantities of copper products essential for infrastructure, defense systems, and advanced manufacturing.  This action will also promote investment, employment, and innovation in the domestic copper fabrication sector, strengthen supply chains, enhance industrial resilience, and generate meaningful economic benefits.  This action will adjust the imports of semi-finished copper products, intensive copper derivative products, and certain other copper derivatives and is necessary and appropriate to address the threat to impair the national security of the United States posed by imports of such articles.

    11.  Section 232 authorizes the President to adjust the imports of an article and its derivatives that are being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security. 

    12.  Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 2483, authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.

    13.  Consistent with the General Terms for the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal (May 8, 2025), the United States intends to coordinate with the United Kingdom to adopt a structured, negotiated approach to addressing the national security threat in the copper sector.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 232; the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA), as amended, 50 U.S.C. 4511; section 301 of title 3, United States Code; and section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 2483, do hereby proclaim as follows:
    (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, all imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, as set forth in the Annex to this proclamation, shall be subject to a 50 percent tariff.  This tariff shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 1, 2025, and shall continue in effect, unless such action is expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.  This tariff is in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, unless stated otherwise below.
    (2)  The Secretary, in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shall determine whether any modifications to the HTSUS are necessary to effectuate this proclamation and shall make such modifications through notice in the Federal Register if needed.
    (3)  Within 90 days after the date of this proclamation, the Secretary shall establish a process for including additional derivative copper articles within the scope of the duties of this proclamation, consistent with the processes established pursuant to Proclamation 10895 of February 10, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States) and Proclamation 10896 of February 10, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States).
    (4)  The non-copper content of all copper articles subject to this proclamation shall be subject to tariffs pursuant to Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff To Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), and any other applicable duties, including those imposed by Executive Order 14193 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border), as amended, Executive Order 14194 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Situation at Our Southern Border), as amended, and Executive Order 14195 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China), as amended.  The additional duties described in clauses 1 through 3 of this proclamation shall apply only to the copper content of articles subject to this proclamation.  CBP shall issue authoritative guidance mandating strict compliance with declaration requirements for copper content in imported articles and outlining maximum penalties for noncompliance, including that importers who submit underreported declarations may be subject to severe consequences, such as significant monetary penalties, loss of import privileges, and criminal liability, consistent with United States law.
    (5)  If any product is subject to tariffs under both this proclamation and Proclamation 10908 of March 26, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States), as amended, the product shall be subject to the duties imposed pursuant to Proclamation 10908, as amended, and not those imposed pursuant to this proclamation.
    (6)  Any product described in clause 1 of this proclamation, except those eligible for admission as “domestic status” as described in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to a duty imposed by this proclamation and that is admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after the effective date of this proclamation must be admitted as “privileged foreign” status as described in 19 CFR 146.41, and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading. 
    (7)  The Secretary shall continue to monitor imports of copper and its derivatives.  The Secretary shall, from time to time, in consultation with any senior executive branch officials the Secretary deems appropriate, review the status of copper and copper derivative imports with respect to national security.  The Secretary shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action by the President under section 232.  By June 30, 2026, the Secretary shall provide the President with an update on domestic copper markets, including refining capacity and the market for refined copper in the United States, so that the President may determine whether imposing a phased universal import duty on refined copper of 15 percent starting on January 1, 2027, and 30 percent starting on January 1, 2028, as recommended by the June 30, 2025, report, is warranted to ensure that copper imports do not continue to threaten to impair the national security.  The Secretary shall also inform the President of any circumstance that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate that the duty rate provided for in this proclamation, or any actions modifying this proclamation, is no longer necessary.
    (8)  Separately, I find that copper input materials and high-quality copper scrap meet the criteria specified in section 101(b) of the DPA, 50 U.S.C. 4511(b).  Pursuant to the authority delegated to the Secretary in Executive Order 13603 of March 16, 2012 (National Defense Resources Preparedness), the Secretary shall take all appropriate action to implement the domestic sales requirements that he recommended in the June 30, 2025, report.
    (9)  The Secretary may issue regulations, rules, guidance, and procedures consistent with the purpose of this proclamation, including to address operational necessity.
    (10)  No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this proclamation.
    (11)  CBP may take any necessary or appropriate measure to administer the tariff imposed by this proclamation.
    (12)  Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.  If any provision of this proclamation, or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
     
     
     
                                   DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Columbia Falls man sentenced to prison for pointing a laser at a helicopter

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    MISSOULA – A Columbia Falls man who pointed a laser-mounted firearm at a helicopter was sentenced today to eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a $15,000 fine, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Travis Kurt Myers, 57, pleaded guilty in March 2025 to one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.

    U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies received a report from a delivery driver that had a green laser pointed at his vehicle and then heard a gunshot in Columbia Falls, Montana. Another witness also reported Myers had pointed a gun at her and discharged it at the ground. As deputies were interviewing the witness, they continued to hear gunshots coming from the area. Aerial surveillance was requested.

    A helicopter equipped with thermal-capable cameras was able to locate Myers outside his residence with a firearm. Myers repeatedly pointed the firearm with a laser mounted on it at the helicopter. The pilots were able to see the laser and able to capture it on their cameras. The pilots observed the gun being fired but were unsure if he had it pointed in their direction. Law enforcement officers on the ground near Myers’ residence could hear the helicopter in flight, supporting Myers had knowledge he was aiming the laser at the helicopter.

    Law enforcement took Myers into custody without incident. They obtained a search warrant for the property and located numerous firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammo. They located an unregistered silencer and a rifle with a green laser attached.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 07.29.2025 Sen. Cruz Introduces Bill to Establish Drone Manufacturing in Texarkana

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), joined by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.), introduced the SkyFoundry Act of 2025 to establish a drone production facility, SkyFoundry, at the Red River Army Depot (RRAD) in Texarkana, Texas. This bill will allow RRAD to develop, produce, and field drones for the Department of Defense.
    Sen. Cruz said, “Establishing a drone manufacturing facility at the Red River Army Depot will help ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of drone production. I’m proud to see the Lone Star State continuing to lead in defense innovation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to swiftly pass this legislation.”
    Sen. Cornyn said, “Russia and China are currently outpacing America in scalable drone production and investment, making us vulnerable to national security threats if left unmatched. This legislation seeks to close this gap and help ensure America remains competitive with our foreign adversaries by establishing a new innovation and production facility that would rapidly improve our ability to develop, test, and mass-produce small unmanned aircraft systems.”
    Sen. Cotton said, “Large-scale manufacturing of small drones is critical to the Army’s current and future operational capability. This bill is a win for national security and for Arkansas as the Skyfoundry program presents a unique opportunity to more fully utilize the Army’s organic industrial base by positioning Red River Army Depot to meet the Army’s emerging requirements.”
    Sen. Boozman said, “The men and women of the Red River Army Depot are committed to providing our servicemembers with the tools they need to defend our nation. With unmanned aircraft systems playing an increasingly prominent role in modern warfare, tasking them with developing and sustaining an adequate supply of drone systems would be a win for this skilled workforce and our armed forces. I am pleased to join my colleagues to champion this effort and the Arkansans whose vital contributions to Red River support our national security and local economy.”
    Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.-10).
    Rep. Harrigan said, “The future of warfare is cheap, fast, and scalable—and right now, America is none of those things. The SkyFoundry Act changes that. It creates a fully American pipeline to design, test, and mass-produce FPV drones at scale, decoupled from Chinese supply chains and driven by U.S. innovation. This initiative doesn’t just build drones; it rebuilds our defense industrial base to meet the demands of modern conflict.”
    Read the full text of the bill here.
    The Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, TexAmericas Center, and the City Manager of the City of Texarkana support the bill.
    Robin Hickerson, President & CEO of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce said, “The Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce thanks Senators Ted Cruz, John Boozman, Tom Cotton, and John Cornyn for sponsoring the SkyFoundry Act of 2025, which supports the rapid development and production of small unmanned aircraft systems and emphasizes the use of existing Army Depot facilities. Red River Army Depot is well positioned to meet the criteria outlined in the bill, with over 15,000 acres, 8 million square feet of facilities, and a central location near four states. The Chamber commends RRAD for its flexibility and readiness to support future innovation in defense manufacturing. RRAD has long been a vital economic engine for the Texarkana region. This legislation reinforces its strategic value and opens the door for even greater impact on jobs, innovation, and national security. The Chamber stands ready to support the SkyFoundry Program and advocate for continued investment in Red River Army Depot.”
    Scott Norton, Executive Director & CEO of the TexAmericas Center said, “TexAmericas Center thanks Senator Cruz and his staff for all their efforts with the SkyFoundry Act of 2025. Utilizing a location such as Red River Army Depot for the annual production of 1,000,000 unmanned aircraft systems, and other associated systems, allows the Department of Defense to collaborate employee training and program enhancements with Texas A&M University – Texarkana, University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, and Texarkana College. Investing in the dedicated organic industrial base workforce emphasizes the value of the current and future workforce at Red River Army Depot and demonstrates value of our defense community to our nation’s defense. We look forward to the passing of the SkyFoundry Act of 2025 and the continued expansion of workload at Red River Army Depot.”
    David Orr, City Manager of the City of Texarkana, Texas said, “The SkyFoundry Act of 2025 represents a forward-thinking investment in advanced manufacturing of unmanned aircraft systems and workforce development that aligns with the Texarkana region’s long-standing commitment to economic growth and regional opportunity. We appreciate Senator Cruz’s leadership in advancing legislation that strengthens our national defense and the industries that power our future.”

    BACKGROUND
    The SkyFoundry Act of 2025 will:

    Establish a production facility and innovation facility for the production and development of small unmanned aircraft systems.
    Utilize a Government-Owned, Government-Operated Contractor Augmented (GOGO/CA) model, blending military, civilian, and contract personnel.
    Encourage public-private partnerships with industry, academia, and nonprofits.

    RRAD supports 3,500 direct jobs and over 9,100 total jobs, providing an economic impact of at least $1.6 billion annually to the region.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prepare for Heavy Rain and Potential Flooding

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today directed State agencies to prepare for heavy rain and the potential for localized flooding as parts of the state are forecast to be impacted by periods of heavy rain Thursday into Friday. New Yorkers across the Mid-Hudson, Long Island and New York City Regions could see locally higher totals over 3 inches of rain beginning Thursday and are cautioned to be vigilant in impacted areas. The storm also has the potential to impact the Capital Region if the storm track shifts. This is expected to be a slow-moving weather event with the most severe impacts occurring where the storm ultimately sets up. Isolated strong thunderstorms bringing locally heavy downpours, isolated damaging winds and large hail may occur Wednesday evening in parts of the Capital Region, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island. Following the rain, cooler temperatures and low levels of humidity will blanket the State over the weekend.

    “As the forecast shifts from extreme heat to heavy rains, I am urging all New Yorkers to stay vigilant and use caution through the end of this week,” Governor Hochul said. “State agencies are on standby for heavy downpours and localized flooding and will be monitoring the situation in real-time to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers in the path of the storm.”

    Residents are encouraged to monitor their local forecasts, weather watches and warnings. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website at alerts.weather.gov.

    New Yorkers should ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They should also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

    Agency Preparations

    Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
    The Division’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with their local counterparts and is prepared to facilitate requests for assistance. OEM has enhanced their monitoring, the Office of Fire Prevention and Control is preparing to stage water rescue teams in Orange County and Ulster Counties in advance of the anticipated weather and will activate the State Fire Operations Center if conditions warrant.

    State stockpiles are ready to deploy emergency response assets and supplies as needed. The State Watch Center is monitoring the storm track and statewide impacts closely.

    Department of Transportation
    The State Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and prepared to respond with 3,428 supervisors and operators available statewide. All field staff are available to fully engage and respond.

    Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

    • 1,431 large dump trucks
    • 337 large loaders
    • 92 chippers
    • 86 tracked and wheeled excavators
    • 33 water pumps
    • 32 traffic and tree crew bucket trucks
    • 28 traffic tower platforms
    • 16 vacuum trucks with sewer jets

    The need for additional resources will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event. For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit 511ny.org, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.

    Thruway Authority
    The Thruway Authority has 669 operators and supervisors prepared to respond to any wind or flood related issues across the state with small to medium sized excavators, plow/dump trucks, large loaders, portable Variable Message Signs (VMS) boards, portable light towers, smaller generators, smaller pumps and equipment hauling trailers, as well as signage and other traffic control devices available for any detours or closures. VMS and social media are utilized to alert motorists of weather conditions on the Thruway.

    Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

    • 337 Large and Small Dump Trucks
    • 63 Loaders
    • 31 Trailers
    • 5 Vac Trucks
    • 14 Excavators
    • 8 Brush Chippers
    • 99 Chainsaws
    • 24 Aerial Trucks
    • 22 Skid Steers
    • 86 Portable Generators
    • 65 Portable Light Units

    The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to live traffic cameras, real-time traffic information and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway, follow @ThruwayTraffic on X, and visit thruway.ny.gov to see an interactive map showing traffic conditions for the Thruway and other New York State roadways.

    Department of Public Service
    New York’s utilities have approximately 5,500 workers available statewide to engage in damage assessment, response, repair and restoration efforts across New York State, as necessary. The utilities will work with the local, county, and state transportation agencies to navigate closed roadways in any areas experiencing flooding. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

    New York State Police
    State Police instructed all Troopers to remain vigilant and will deploy extra patrols to affected areas as needed. All four-wheel drive vehicles are in service, and all watercraft and specialty vehicles are staged and ready for deployment.

    Department of Environmental Conservation
    The Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Emergency Management staff, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and regional staff remain on alert and continue to monitor weather forecasts. Working with partner agencies, DEC is prepared to coordinate resource deployment of all available assets, including first responders, to targeted areas in preparation for potential impacts due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

    DEC will have swift water teams staged in the Hudson Valley starting tomorrow morning through Friday, August 1.

    DEC reminds local officials to watch for potential flooding in their communities. Municipalities are encouraged to undertake local assessments of flood-prone areas and to remove any accumulating debris. DEC permits and authorization are not required to remove debris unless stream banks or beds will be disturbed by debris removal and/or the use of heavy equipment. Municipalities and local governments are advised to contact DEC’s Regional Permit Administrators if assistance is required and to help determine if a permit is necessary.

    If a permit is necessary, DEC can issue Emergency Authorizations to expedite approval of projects in place of an individual permit. DEC approves Emergency Authorizations for situations that are deemed an emergency based on the immediate protection of life, health, general welfare, property, or natural resources.

    Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
    New York State Park Police and park personnel are on alert and closely monitoring weather conditions and impacts. Park visitors should visit parks.ny.gov, check the free mobile app, or call their local park office for the latest updates regarding park hours, openings and closings.

    Metropolitan Transportation Authority

    The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is closely monitoring weather conditions to ensure safe, reliable service. MTA employees will be poised to respond to any weather-related issues. To reduce the likelihood of flooding and respond to any instances of flooding, MTA crews will inspect drains in flood-prone areas to ensure they are functional, and supervisors will monitor flood-prone locations for any reports of flooding to ensure quick response. Elevator and escalator specialists will be deployed to flood-prone locations to attend to any weather-related elevator and escalator troubles.

    Customers are encouraged to check mta.info for the latest service updates, and to use caution while navigating the system. Customers should also sign up for real-time service alerts via text or email. These alerts are also available via the MTA app and the TrainTime app.

    Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

    The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is closely monitoring weather forecasts and is working with airport terminal operators and other airport partners in preparation. Air travelers should check with their airlines for updated information on their flights or check the Federal Aviation Administration website for any FAA programs that may affect flight operations at their departure airport before leaving for the airport and allow for additional travel time. Motorists who use the Port Authority’s six bridges and tunnels are strongly encouraged to sign up for email alerts, bus riders can use the MyTerminal app for real-time alerts on bus service at the Midtown Bus Terminal, or for PATH riders, check train service information via the PATH mobile app, RidePATH.

    Flood Safety

    • Know your area’s type of flood risk — visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center.
    • Have a flood emergency plan in place that includes considerations for your children, pets and neighbors.
    • If you live in a flood-prone area, document your belongings and valuables. Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create digital, password-protected copies of important documents, pictures, and other items.
    • Obtain flood insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding.
    • Monitor your local weather forecast and follow any warnings that may be broadcast.
    • If you are advised by emergency officials to take immediate action such as evacuation, do not wait – follow all orders promptly.
    • Traveling during a flood can be extremely dangerous. One foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Never walk, swim or drive through flood waters. If you have doubts, remember: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”
    • Consider those with access and functional needs to determine if they are prepared for a flood emergency where they live and work.

    For more preparedness information and safety tips from DHSES, visit dhses.ny.gov/safety. The National Weather Service website also includes Flood Safety Tips and Spring Safety Resources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Updated GA workplan released alongside regulatory roadmaps

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    We’re pleased to announce the release of our updated General Aviation (GA) Workplan 2025, alongside the Forward Regulatory Program and the refreshed RPAS and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Strategic Regulatory Roadmap – 3 key initiatives shaping the future of aviation in Australia.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Cotton Back Effort to Establish Drone Production Facility at Red River Army Depot

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) joined Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Cornyn (R-TX) to introduce the SkyFoundry Act of 2025, legislation to establish a Department of Defense drone production facility at the Red River Army Depot to develop, produce and field drones for the Department of Defense.

    “The men and women of the Red River Army Depot are committed to providing our servicemembers with the tools they need to defend our nation,” said Boozman. “With unmanned aircraft systems playing an increasingly prominent role in modern warfare, tasking them with developing and sustaining an adequate supply of drone systems would be a win for this skilled workforce and our armed forces. I am pleased to join my colleagues to champion this effort and the Arkansans whose vital contributions to Red River support our national security and local economy.”

    “Large-scale manufacturing of small drones is critical to the Army’s current and future operational capability,” said Cotton. “This bill is a win for national security and for Arkansas as the Skyfoundry program presents a unique opportunity to more fully utilize the Army’s organic industrial base by positioning Red River Army Depot to meet the Army’s emerging requirements.”

    “Establishing a drone manufacturing facility at the Red River Army Depot will help ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of drone production,” said Cruz. “I’m proud to see the Lone Star State continuing to lead in defense innovation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to swiftly pass this legislation.”

    “Russia and China are currently outpacing America in scalable drone production and investment, making us vulnerable to national security threats if left unmatched,” said Cornyn. “This legislation seeks to close this gap and help ensure America remains competitive with our foreign adversaries by establishing a new innovation and production facility that would rapidly improve our ability to develop, test, and mass-produce small unmanned aircraft systems.”

    Specifically, the SkyFoundry Act of 2025 will:

    • Establish a production facility and innovation facility for the manufacturing and development of small unmanned aircraft systems;
    • Utilize a Government-Owned, Government-Operated Contractor Augmented (GOGO/CA) model, blending military, civilian and contract personnel; and
    • Encourage public-private partnerships with industry, academia and nonprofits.

    Boozman has continually championed efforts to support the Red River Army Depot,  successfully securing $47 million in 2024 for workforce support and recently advancing an additional $93 million in funding through the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee as part of the FY 2026 MilCon-VA Appropriations Act.  

    This legislation is supported by the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce and the TexAmericas Center.

    Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10).

    The bill text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Rain batters Delhi, Air India cautions flyers; IMD flags intense rainfall across the country

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    As heavy rain lashed the national capital on Tuesday morning, Air India issued a travel advisory cautioning passengers that flight operations to and from Delhi may be affected due to adverse weather conditions.

    The airline advised travelers to check their flight status on its official website before leaving for the airport and to allow extra time for their journey.

    “Gusty winds and rain may impact flight operations to and from Delhi this morning. Please check your flight status… before heading to the airport and allow extra time for your journey,” said Air India on X.

    The downpour, accompanied by thunderstorms, brought much-needed relief from the humid weather in several parts of Delhi.

    Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall across large parts of the country until August 4. On July 29, extremely heavy rain is expected over eastern Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, while Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana may witness heavy showers.

    In western India, Konkan and Gujarat are likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall on July 29, with light to moderate showers predicted over the next 6–7 days.

    Northeast India, including Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is expected to see heavy to very heavy rainfall. Eastern and central states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh may face isolated heavy rain and thunderstorms.

    In southern India, heavy rainfall is likely over Kerala and coastal Karnataka on July 29 and 30, accompanied by strong winds ranging between 40–50 kmph. Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is expected in most southern states throughout the week.

    The IMD further stated that fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is expected over northwest, northeast, and eastern regions of the country in the coming days, while central and peninsular India may witness scattered to fairly widespread rain.

    For Wednesday, the IMD has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in eastern Rajasthan. Heavy rainfall is also expected at isolated locations in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Jharkhand, Kerala, Mahe, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, and western Rajasthan.

    Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) are likely at isolated places in Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Jharkhand, parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Vidarbha.

    (With inputs from ANI)

  • Heavy rains lash Delhi; IMD warns of more intense showers

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Delhi witnessed an intense spell of rain on Tuesday morning, bringing much-needed relief from the prevailing humid conditions.

    However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of continued heavy rainfall across Delhi-NCR, raising concerns over flooding and traffic disruptions.

    According to the IMD, the downpour may lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas, road flooding, closure of underpasses, traffic congestion, reduced visibility, and potential damage to plantations, standing crops, and weak structures, including kutcha houses.

    In response to the inclement weather, Air India issued a travel advisory alerting passengers to possible disruptions in flight operations to and from Delhi. The airline urged travellers to check their flight status and allow extra time while heading to the airport.

    Similarly,  IndiGo and SpiceJet also issued travel advisories, warning passengers of potential disruptions to flight operations on Tuesday morning.

    The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across large parts of the country until August 4. On Tuesday, extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Northwest India, particularly East Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, while Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana will continue to receive heavy showers.

    In West India, regions such as Konkan and Gujarat are expected to experience isolated heavy rain on July 29, with light to moderate rainfall forecast for the next six to seven days.

    Northeast India, including Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is also likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, while East and Central India, including Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, may see isolated heavy rain and thunderstorms.

    In South Peninsular India, states like Kerala and Coastal Karnataka are expected to receive heavy rain and strong winds (40–50 kmph) on July 29–30, along with light to moderate rainfall across most areas through the coming week.

    (With ANI inputs)