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Category: Aviation

  • Netanyahu to Carney: World leaders express shock and grief over Air India plane crash

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Top leaders of the world continue to express their heartfelt condolences and deep grief at the tragic crash of an Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The London-bound aircraft, carrying over 200 people, crashed shortly after takeoff near Meghani Nagar.

    “To my friend PMO India Narendra Modi and the people of India, I was saddened to learn of the tragic Air India crash. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X.

    Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that he was “deeply saddened” by the tragic crash of Air India flight with the civilian casualties on the ground being equally heartbreaking.

    “I am deeply saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 near Ahmedabad today. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of all those affected onboard. Equally heartbreaking are the civilian casualties on the ground, including young medical students whose lives and futures were struck by this tragedy. At this moment of deep sorrow, the people of Sri Lanka stand in solidarity with India. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted,” Dissanayake posted on X.

    Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, mentioned that Canada is deeply saddened by the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad.

    “Devastated to learn of the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad. My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board. Canada’s transportation officials are in close contact with counterparts and I am receiving regular updates as the response to this tragedy unfolds,” he said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Canada for the G7 Summit, next week. Cyprus, another country PM Modi is expected to visit en route to Canada, also expressed shock over the Ahmedabad air crash.

    “Dear PM Narendra Modi, I express my heartfelt condolences to you and the people of India following the devastating loss of Air India Flight AI171. The people of Cyprus mourn with you. In this time of sorrow, we stand by our Indian friends with solidarity and compassion,” stated Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides.

    Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was visiting India recently, also took to X to offer his condolences.

    “Akshata and I are deeply shocked and distressed by the news of the Air India tragedy. There is a unique bond between our two nations and our thoughts and prayers go out to the British and Indian families who have lost loved ones today,” he stated.

    Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, who had just hosted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Brussels, said that he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the crash of the Air India flight near the airport in Ahmedabad.

    “Our thoughts are with the victims, the rescuers on the ground, and the people of India in these painful moments. Belgium stands in solidarity with India and all affected communities. Our services are closely following developments,” he said.

    Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolence to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad..

    “Please accept the deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. Kindly convey the words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and near ones of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe,” said Putin

    President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu also expressed grief and extended solidarity with the Government and people of India.

    “I express profound sadness at the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171 near Ahmedabad. At this difficult time, the government and people of Maldives stand in solidarity with the people and the Government of India,” Muizzu posted on X.

    Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union, too expressed shock over the “heartbreaking news” from India.

    “My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss. We share your pain. Dear Narendra Modi, Europe stands in solidarity with you and the people of India in this moment of sorrow,” she said.

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.

    “I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,” Starmer posted on X.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also took to X, offering his deepest condolences on the tragic accident.

    “Horrible news of a passenger plane crash in India. My deepest condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the entire people of India on this tragic day. Our thoughts are with all victims’ relatives and close ones in India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. We share your shock and grief on this tragic day. We all pray for as many lives to be saved as possible and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” Zelensky posted on X.

    (IANS)

  • Metro rail, highway, and logistics projects reviewed at 95th NPG meeting under PM GatiShakti Plan

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The 95th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG), under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, was held today to assess a series of infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing multimodal connectivity and improving logistics efficiency across India. Five major proposals, including a metro rail extension, two highway initiatives, and two multi-modal logistics parks, were reviewed for their alignment with the principles of integrated infrastructure planning and last-mile connectivity.

    One of the key projects discussed was the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project Phase-2A, proposed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). This project involves the extension of the metro line by 6.032 kilometers from Koteshwar Metro Station to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The extension is designed to significantly boost urban mobility in Ahmedabad by offering quicker and more direct access to the airport for commuters, staff, and residents. Developed in collaboration with the airport authority, municipal corporations, and other local and central stakeholders, the project is expected to ease city congestion and enhance the city’s public transport infrastructure.

    The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) presented two highway development projects. The first is the construction of an 8-lane access-controlled highway along NH-248S to improve connectivity to the proposed Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra. Designed to support one of India’s most ambitious port projects, the highway will facilitate the movement of cargo to and from the port, which is set to become one of the top ten container ports globally. The highway is projected to handle over 57,000 passenger car units daily by 2030 and will link directly with the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and NH-48, ensuring seamless freight evacuation via road and rail.

    The second highway project is a 4-lane elevated corridor in Jodhpur city, which will run 7.63 kilometers from Mahamandir to Akhaliya Chouraha. Aligned along NH-62 and NH-125, the elevated road aims to alleviate heavy urban traffic by bypassing 28 junctions and reducing peak-hour travel times by approximately 20 minutes. The corridor is designed to accommodate future traffic growth and will improve intra-city movement and regional connectivity in Rajasthan.

    Two proposals for multi-modal logistics parks were also reviewed to support India’s broader logistics modernization efforts. The first, MMLP Hyderabad, will be developed in Parkibanda village in Telangana’s Medak district. Spanning 315 acres, this logistics hub is expected to handle 1.47 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo annually by 2028, with its capacity scaling up to nearly 20 MMT by 2070. Its strategic location near NH-44, Manoharabad Railway Station, and the upcoming Regional Ring Road ensures excellent connectivity to industrial clusters around Hyderabad.

    The second logistics park, MMLP Patna, is proposed at Jaitiya village in Bihar’s Fatuah Taluka. Covering 106 acres, this facility is expected to manage 5.43 MMT of cargo annually by 2071. With proximity to Top Sarthua Railway Station, Patna Airport, and multiple national and state highways, the park will be a key node in Eastern India’s logistics network. It will facilitate regional trade and strengthen connections to major hubs like Kolkata and Haldia Port.

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa rallies Africa behind Green Hydrogen at inaugural Summit

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Ramaphosa rallies Africa behind Green Hydrogen at inaugural Summit

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on African countries to seize the opportunity presented by green hydrogen as a catalyst for industrial transformation, energy security, and inclusive economic growth across the continent.

    Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Africa Green Hydrogen Summit at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town on Thursday, President Ramaphosa positioned the continent as a key player in the emerging global green hydrogen economy.

    “Our beloved continent Africa, the cradle of humanity, is uniquely positioned to become a major player in green hydrogen because it has abundant renewable resources manifested in high solar irradiance, strong winds and hydropower potential. 

    “The vast land our continent has lends itself to large-scale renewable energy projects. We are therefore perfectly placed to leverage the global shift towards cleaner energy sources for our collective advantage,” the President said. 

    WATCH | 

    Originally launched in 2022 as a South African initiative to articulate its national vision, the summit has now evolved into a continental platform to harness Africa’s green hydrogen potential. 

    Held under the theme: “Unlocking Africa’s Green Hydrogen Potential for Sustainable Growth”, this innovative summit convenes African energy ministers, policymakers, investors, developers, technology partners, and research institutions to shape the continent’s emerging green hydrogen sector.

    READ | Green hydrogen can ‘reposition’ Africa within global value chains

    New energy could spark million of jobs

    President Ramaphosa noted that over 52 large-scale projects have been announced across the continent, including South Africa’s Coega Green Ammonia project, the AMAN project in Mauritania and Project Nour in Morocco. 

    The target, as articulated through the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA), is to produce 30 to 60 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2050. 

    It is estimated that this could create between two and four million new jobs in alliance member states by 2050.

    The Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance brings together a number of African nations, including Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia and South Africa. 

    “To make use of these opportunities, we need to establish appropriate policy and regulatory environments. We must continue to move as a continent to develop regional certification schemes, hydrogen corridors and green product export platforms. 

    “We commend the work of countries like Mauritania, which has taken early steps on certification. It will be critical that we learn from one another and converge on standards that work for Africa,” the President said. 

    The President acknowledged the critical need for regulatory certainty, robust certification systems, and market access, stressing that investment and offtake agreements would be key to unlocking Africa’s green hydrogen future.

    “We cannot close that gap with potential alone. We must match it with demand signals, regulatory certainty and project preparation support. We need to ensure that there is sufficient and growing demand. This includes building domestic demand in African countries,” the President said. 

    In this regard, the President noted that the launch of green hydrogen production for mobility in Sasolburg and policy enablers for domestic offtake are important foundational steps. 

    “As we explore these exciting opportunities, we must work to address the impediments to the growth of this industry,” he said. 

    President Ramaphosa also highlighted Germany’s continued support through the H2Global mechanism, which has allocated one of its bidding windows to Africa and praised ongoing bilateral cooperation with the EU on green hydrogen projects, including Sasol’s HySHiFT sustainable aviation fuel initiative.

    READ | Germany, South Africa collaborate on green hydrogen

    The H2Global mechanism is opening its second bidding window, with one of the four lots allocated to Africa. 

    “The African lot, which is funded by the German government, will guarantee offtake for successful projects on the continent. 

    “A Joint Declaration of Intent with the German government focuses on market access, offfake opportunities and value-additive benefits in the production of green steel and green fertiliser. We commend the German government for its commitment to African supply,” the President said. 

    At home, South Africa is accelerating efforts to localise hydrogen production and industrial use. The country has invested R1.49 billion in its Hydrogen South Africa programme, launched new wheeling regulations, and initiated pilot projects, such as green hydrogen mobility in Sasolburg, and advanced planning for the Coega project. 

    In addition, the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan has been launched to integrate renewable energy and hydrogen into broader industrial development goals.

    President Ramaphosa acknowledged the many challenges facing the sector, including high capital costs, global investment gaps, and stiff competition from fossil fuels but urged unity and urgency in building an African-led hydrogen economy.

    “Tempered by these realities, this summit must not only be a platform of ideas. It must be a platform of commitments. We must put the African voice at the centre of global energy rulemaking. We must be authors of our own future,” he said. 

    Africa Green Hydrogen Summit an important part of SA’s G20 vision

    South Africa, which currently chairs the G20, has chosen just energy transitions as a key theme for its presidency, placing green hydrogen at the heart of its climate resilience and industrialisation agenda.

    IN PICTURES | Green Hydrogen Summit

    “The Africa Green Hydrogen Summit is an important part of that vision. Hydrogen is a bridge to a new export industry for African countries. It is an enabler for Africa’s energy independence and climate resilience,” he said. 

    More importantly, the President framed green hydrogen as more than an energy source, describing it as an “anchor for industrial transformation and infrastructure investment”.

    “We are called upon to join hands to build this bridge together as Africans, as partners and as builders of a green, prosperous and inclusive future,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

    DikelediM

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The choice between scenarios of confrontation and pragmatic cooperation between Russia and the United States remains with the American side – new Russian ambassador to the United States

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, June 12 /Xinhua/ — Moscow is open to joint painstaking work on settling the situation in Ukraine, including eliminating the root causes of the crisis, and on the rest of the extensive agenda of Russian-American relations, which have begun to gradually “unfreeze.” The choice between scenarios of confrontation and pragmatic interaction between Russia and the United States is up to the American side. This was stated in an interview with TASS on Wednesday by the new Russian ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev.

    “After the pogrom in Russian-American relations, caused by the previous administration, which openly declared that it would seek to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, the intention declared by the new team in the White House to restore interstate relations and bring common sense to them gives a certain hope for the best,” noted A. Darchiev.

    He noted that the tasks set for him as the Russian ambassador are to take full advantage of the opened “window of opportunity” to improve bilateral cooperation. It is also necessary to remove numerous barriers and sanctions restrictions, focusing in the long term on the two countries moving towards a model of non-confrontational coexistence, the ambassador added.

    According to him, it is difficult to do this overnight due to a number of problematic issues. At the same time, the Russian side is persistently working on specific areas of normalization of bilateral relations. “We are talking, in particular, about the State Department easing the absurd restrictions on communication with Russian diplomats and participation in joint public events,” A. Darchiev explained.

    He noted that, within the framework of the permanent mechanism of regular consultations, a negotiation process has been launched on the return of six diplomatic properties belonging to Russia that were actually confiscated by the US authorities in 2016-2018.

    In addition, A. Darchiev pointed out that another priority area is the restoration of direct air traffic between Russia and the United States, interrupted by Washington in 2022 with the closure of its airspace and subsequent reciprocal steps by the Russian side. “This is a multifaceted matter that requires negotiations with the involvement of aviation authorities, which we expect to launch in the near future,” the ambassador said, adding that a substantive discussion is also underway on simplifying the visa issuance procedure, which currently takes up to a year or more. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AAIB Update: Air India flight AI171, Ahmedabad to London Gatwick

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    AAIB Update: Air India flight AI171, Ahmedabad to London Gatwick

    Update on the fatal accident which occurred in Ahmedabad, India on 12 June 2025

    The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has formally offered its assistance to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, India. In addition, the UK AAIB will have expert status in the Indian safety investigation. This is in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 because UK citizens were on board the aircraft.  

    We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian led investigation.

    Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic accident.

    British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO): 020 7008 5000.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Drone Industry Applauds AUVSI Advancing U.S. Leadership in Drones Operations Putting Spotlight on Drone Stocks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) applauded executive orders advancing U.S. leadership in drones on what they called an historic day for advanced aviation. AUVSI represents leaders from more than 60 countries across industry, government, and academia in the defense, civil and commercial sectors. AUVSI has long advocated for many of these reforms through active engagement with the White House, public comments, Congressional testimony, and federal agency engagement. An outpouring of support from AUVSI member companies highlights the strong industry consensus on the Executive Orders and their significance for the future of autonomous aviation. Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX).

    Example of the key provisions of the AUVSI executive orders include: BVLOS Expansion and Drone Integration Acceleration: Directs the FAA to enable routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations for commercial and public safety missions, and to accelerate development, testing, and scaling of U.S. drone technologies, including advanced air mobility and autonomous systems. — Updated UAS Integration Roadmap: Calls for the FAA to publish a revised roadmap for the integration of civil UAS into the National Airspace System, reflecting updated capabilities and timelines. — Domestic Drone Industrial Base Strengthening: Prioritizes U.S.-manufactured UAS in federal procurement, promotes their export, and takes steps to protect critical drone technologies from foreign exploitation. — Supporting the Warfighter and Airspace Access: Improves access to high-performance, U.S.-made drones for military use and streamlines airspace and spectrum access to better support national security missions. — Detection and Tracking Authorities & Grants: Authorizes federal agencies to use existing legal authorities to detect, track, and identify drones and drone signals; and allows state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) agencies to access grant programs for related detection technologies.

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) ZenaDrone to File Patent and Accelerate Deployment of Counter-UAS Technology on the ZenaDrone 1000 in Response to US Executive Order – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, today announces its subsidiary ZenaDrone’s intent to file a patent and accelerate the deployment of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (Counter-UAS) technology, to be mounted on the company’s flagship ZenaDrone 1000 drone platform in response to a new executive order policy directive. Counter-UAS technology refers to tools or systems that can detect, track, or mitigate unauthorized or dangerous drones to protect people, property, and airspace.

    ZenaDrone’s technology for this was originally designed last year but was placed on hold as the company prioritized other commercial and defense applications. However, the recent policy directive on Counter-UAS contained in the June 6th, 2025, White House Executive Order, ‘Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty’, has clarified the urgency and importance of bringing effective drone defense solutions to market. In response, ZenaDrone is accelerating development and commercialization efforts to meet growing domestic and international demand.

    “We developed our Counter-UAS system with future threats in mind, and the Executive Order has made it clear that the time to act is now,” said Dr. Shaun Passley, CEO of ZenaTech. “Integrating this technology into the ZenaDrone 1000 positions us to meet urgent security needs with a smart, autonomous aerial defense platform and be seen as a provider of safe, trusted, and mission-ready solutions.”

    The company will immediately expand its engineering and defense teams to fast-track R&D, testing, and deployment. The enhanced ZenaDrone 1000 will feature real-time threat detection and neutralization capabilities, making it a viable solution for military, homeland security, and critical infrastructure protection operations.

    The recent executive order, one of two historic policy directives announced on June 6th, 2025, provides a boost to US drone companies by driving demand for counter-UAS technologies, setting needed federal standards for secure airspace integration, and prioritizing US-made systems over foreign alternatives.

    The ZenaDrone 1000 is an AI multifunction autonomous drone that is a 12X7-foot rotary-wing octocopter design—built for commercial applications including surveillance, inspection and precision agriculture, as well as for defense. It features a patented foldable-wing design, can carry up to a 40 kg or 88 lbs of payload, and can fly for up to an hour before recharging on its docking station. It can be equipped with a variety of thermal imaging, LiDAR, or multispectral sensors to enable real-time ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), border patrol, and other defense applications.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Other recent developments in the markets include:

    Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC), a U.S.-based manufacturer of drones and NDAA-compliant components, recently announced it has signed a lease for a 17,000-square-foot drone motor production facility in Orlando, Florida. The factory will significantly expand the company’s domestic manufacturing capabilities. Motor deliveries from this facility are scheduled to begin in September 2025.

    The facility is designed to support the production of high-performance brushless motors for First-Person View (FPV) and commercial drones. Initially, it will focus on three core motor sizes: 2207, 2807, and 3220. In-house winding capabilities will support both standard and custom KV ratings and hybrid workcells will allow for both high-volume and small-batch production. The space is located near the company’s existing headquarters and is an expansion of Unusual Machines’ Orlando campus. The proximity to Rotor Riot’s technical team and pilot community allows for rapid product feedback and alignment with end-user needs. The production system is designed to eventual scale to monthly production volumes exceeding 50,000 motors.

    AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently announced that it will report its financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2025, which ended April 30, 2025, after the market closes on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Management will host a conference call and live audio webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time that same day to discuss the results. The call will be led by Wahid Nawabi, AV’s chairman, president, and chief executive officer; Kevin P. McDonnell, executive vice president and chief financial officer; and Denise Pacioni, director, investor relations.

    Investors may access the conference call by registering through the following link up to 10 minutes before the event begins:

    Conference Call Details:

    Date: June 24, 2025

    Time: 4:30 p.m. ET | 1:30 p.m. PT | 2:30 p.m. MT | 3:30 p.m. CT

    Participant registration URL: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI7c8f067ba6664132925fef2e6130428b

    Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a technology company in defense, national security and global markets, announced recently that it was awarded a task order under the Command and Control System-Consolidated (CCS-C) Sustainment and Resiliency (C-SAR) contract with the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) to support ground system capabilities for Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (SATCOM) (ESS). The ESS system will provide the survivable and endurable satellite communications capability for the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) mission in all operational environments.

    First, the task order will begin to lay the CCS-C infrastructure groundwork to eventually support an out-of-band (OOB) ESS telemetry, tracking, and command capability as part of the larger SSC Military Communications & Positioning, Navigation and Timing Program Executive Office (PEO) mission. Second, it will create the necessary infrastructure to link the ground system solutions as required for operations. Third, through a pair of study efforts, it will facilitate the development of a road map for implementation of ESS Mission Unique Software and CCS-C micro-services implementation. Finally, the effort will facilitate a prototyping effort to allow CCS-C users to utilize new enterprise architecture.

    Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, was recently awarded a $646 million contract to continue producing AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the U.S. Navy. This is the fourth option exercised from the March 2022 hardware, production and sustainment contract that is valued up to $3 billion over five years.

    Under this contract, the U.S. Navy will receive four additional radars, increasing the total amount of radars under contract for procurement to 42.

    “SPY-6 enables the U.S. Navy to see further than they’ve ever seen before, providing sailors with more time to respond to detected threats,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. “This latest contract builds on our decades of experience and technical expertise in developing modular, scalable, and highly maintainable radars.”

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bullish on Drone Stocks as Recent Executive Orders Focuses on Strengthening U.S. Leadership for Drone Operations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – On Friday, June 6, the White House issued two sweeping executive orders focused on strengthening U.S. leadership in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS, or drones). These actions aim to streamline rulemaking for enabling regulations, fortify domestic supply chains and promote manufacturing, advance security measures, and align federal operations with emerging aviation technologies. The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) applauds the Administration’s commitment to advancing drone integration through timely, coordinated federal action. These Executive Orders mark a significant step toward reducing regulatory uncertainty, accelerating innovation and manufacturing, and reinforcing U.S. competitiveness in the global autonomy race. AUVSI envisions a future where uncrewed systems, robotics, and autonomous technologies are seamlessly integrated to solve critical challenges resulting in lasting safety and societal benefits, economic growth, and enhanced national security. AUVSI represents leaders from more than 60 countries across industry, government, and academia in the defense, civil and commercial sectors. Our strength is in our community, which gathers in-person and online to share new ideas, promote effective policy, advocate for the value of autonomous technology, and spark new partnerships. Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS).

    The AUVSI article added: “Today is a historic day for the drone industry in the United States. The White House Executive Orders issued today showcase that drones are critical to American economic strength, national security, and global leadership” said Michael Robbins, AUVSI’s President & CEO. “AUVSI commends the Trump Administration for advancing policies that will ensure U.S. leadership in drone innovation, security, operations, and manufacturing. As we have long advocated, innovation and security must advance in lockstep, and President Trump got that right with these Executive Orders. By prioritizing long-overdue drone enabling rules and much needed security reforms, the Administration is accelerating the safe and responsible growth of the drone industry at a pivotal moment.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) ZenaDrone to File Patent and Accelerate Deployment of Counter-UAS Technology on the ZenaDrone 1000 in Response to US Executive Order – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, today announces its subsidiary ZenaDrone’s intent to file a patent and accelerate the deployment of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (Counter-UAS) technology, to be mounted on the company’s flagship ZenaDrone 1000 drone platform in response to a new executive order policy directive. Counter-UAS technology refers to tools or systems that can detect, track, or mitigate unauthorized or dangerous drones to protect people, property, and airspace.

    ZenaDrone’s technology for this was originally designed last year but was placed on hold as the company prioritized other commercial and defense applications. However, the recent policy directive on Counter-UAS contained in the June 6th, 2025, White House Executive Order, ‘Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty’, has clarified the urgency and importance of bringing effective drone defense solutions to market. In response, ZenaDrone is accelerating development and commercialization efforts to meet growing domestic and international demand.

    “We developed our Counter-UAS system with future threats in mind, and the Executive Order has made it clear that the time to act is now,” said Dr. Shaun Passley, CEO of ZenaTech. “Integrating this technology into the ZenaDrone 1000 positions us to meet urgent security needs with a smart, autonomous aerial defense platform and be seen as a provider of safe, trusted, and mission-ready solutions.”

    The company will immediately expand its engineering and defense teams to fast-track R&D, testing, and deployment. The enhanced ZenaDrone 1000 will feature real-time threat detection and neutralization capabilities, making it a viable solution for military, homeland security, and critical infrastructure protection operations.

    The recent executive order, one of two historic policy directives announced on June 6th, 2025, provides a boost to US drone companies by driving demand for counter-UAS technologies, setting needed federal standards for secure airspace integration, and prioritizing US-made systems over foreign alternatives.

    The ZenaDrone 1000 is an AI multifunction autonomous drone that is a 12X7-foot rotary-wing octocopter design—built for commercial applications including surveillance, inspection and precision agriculture, as well as for defense. It features a patented foldable-wing design, can carry up to a 40 kg or 88 lbs of payload, and can fly for up to an hour before recharging on its docking station. It can be equipped with a variety of thermal imaging, LiDAR, or multispectral sensors to enable real-time ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), border patrol, and other defense applications. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Other recent developments in the markets include:

    Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS), a leading provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions through its Ondas Networks and Ondas Autonomous Systems business units, recently announced the closing of its underwritten public offering of (i) 27,200,000 shares of its common stock, which includes 4,800,000 shares of common stock sold pursuant to the exercise in full by the underwriter of their over-allotment option, and (ii) in lieu of common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 9,600,000 shares of its common stock, at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share. Ondas estimates net proceeds from the offering to be approximately $42.8 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, and excluding any proceeds that may be received from the exercise of the pre-funded warrants.

    Ondas intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, including funding capital expenditures and providing working capital. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. acted as the sole underwriter for the offering. Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Lake Street Capital Markets, LLC and Northland Capital Markets served as financial advisors to Ondas. Akerman LLP served as legal counsel to Ondas and Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. served as legal counsel to the underwriter.

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO), a drone solutions, and systems developer, recently announced the pricing of its public offering (the “Offering”) of 5,500,000 units, with each unit consisting of one common share and one warrant to purchase one common share. Each unit is to be sold at a public offering price of US$2.50, for gross proceeds of approximately US$13.75 million, before deducting placement agent discounts and offering expenses. The warrants will have an exercise price of CA$5.0768 (or US$3.71) per share, are exercisable immediately and will expire five years following the date of issuance.

    Maxim Group LLC is acting as sole placement agent for the Offering. Draganfly currently intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, including to fund its capabilities to meet demand for its new products including growth initiatives and/or for working capital requirements including the continuing development and marketing of the Company’s core products, potential acquisitions and research and development. The Offering is expected to close on or about June 12, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), sensors, and software solutions for commercial and government use, recently announced the Company participated in a second high-level, invitation only policy discussion with the White House, hosted by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). This most recent engagement was centered on the proposed FAA Rule Part 108, which will define the regulatory framework for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations across the United States. AgEagle CEO Bill Irby joined industry peers from uAvionix, BRINC, Kelly Hills, and Pierce Aerospace in presenting key insights on how enactment of Part 108 will remove significant operational barriers, drive capital investment, and unlock next-generation drone technologies that enhance both commercial and public sector applications.

    “This follow-up invitation by OIRA reaffirms the strategic importance of expanding BVLOS operations for the domestic drone industry,” commented Irby. “We were honored to continue our engagement with the White House and contribute our perspective on how thoughtful and timely rulemaking can accelerate innovation, improve safety and compliance, and strengthen the U.S. position as a global leader in drone technology. Of particular value was the discussion of how streamlined regulation will allow broader deployment of autonomous data solutions and open the door for increased economic activity.”

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently issued a statement of support for a series of executive orders from the White House that advance U.S. leadership in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and reinforce the resilience of America’s domestic industrial base.

    The executive actions are expected to remove regulatory barriers and modernize federal approval processes to prioritize U.S.-manufactured drones. Additional provisions include expanded detection and mitigation authority, and streamlined regulations to accelerate the deployment of UAS across federal and commercial sectors.

    About FN Media Group:

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

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Air India plane with 242 people onboard crashes near airport in India’s Gujarat

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

    People look at the debris of an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad of India’s Gujarat state, June 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    An Air India flight to London with 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, crashed Thursday shortly after takeoff from an airport in the western Indian state of Gujarat, officials said.

    The flight took off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, about 17 km south of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat.

    According to Air India, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 local time and was carrying 242 passengers and crew members.

    “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals,” the airline said.

    Air India has expressed condolences to the families of all those affected by this devastating event.

    “With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Air India, said in a statement.

    Chandrasekaran said further updates will be shared as they receive more verified information.

    People and rescuers are seen at a site of a plane crash in Ahmedabad of India’s Gujarat state, June 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    “An emergency center has been activated and support teams have been set up for families seeking information,” he further said.

    Local media reports said the plane had reached approximately 825 feet when it suddenly descended. Police said the plane crashed on the building of a doctors’ hostel.

    There were no reports of any survivors currently, and officials, so far, have not issued any statement on the number of casualties or injured in the crash.

    “As per preliminary information, a London-bound Air India flight has crashed at the doctors’ hostel. Within 2-3 minutes, police and other agencies reached the spot. Almost 70-80 percent of the area has been cleared. All agencies are working here,” a police official told media.

    Reports said the passenger aircraft went down in the Meghani area of the city.

    According to officials, immediately after the crash, authorities rushed over two dozen ambulances to the spot to carry out rescue work.

    Video footage from the site aired on television news channels shows thick columns of smoke rising from the ground.

    Police have diverted traffic from the area, and a green corridor has also been established to ferry the injured quickly to the hospital.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Odysight.ai to Participate in the 15th Annual ROTH London Conference on June 25 and 26

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Omer, Israel, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Odysight.ai Inc. (Nasdaq: ODYS), a leading provider of visual based predictive maintenance (PdM) and condition-based monitoring (CBM) solutions, today announced it will participate in the 15th Annual ROTH London Conference taking place June 25–26, 2025, in London, U.K.

    Einav Brenner, Chief Financial Officer, will be available for one-on-one investor meetings on site both days. To schedule a meeting, please contact your ROTH representative.

    About the ROTH London Conference

    The ROTH London Conference provides a unique platform for institutional investors to connect with executive leadership from approximately 70 growth-oriented companies across a range of sectors. Hosted in the heart of one of the world’s leading financial hubs, the event features a highly focused format designed to encourage insightful dialogue through one-on-one and small group meetings. Investors will have the opportunity to gain deeper insight into business strategies, explore sector trends, and evaluate potential investment opportunities.

    ROTH is a relationship-driven investment bank dedicated to supporting growth companies and their investors. Its full-service platform offers capital raising, in-depth equity research, macroeconomic insights, sales and trading, technical analysis, derivatives strategies, M&A advisory, and comprehensive corporate access. ROTH aims to deliver innovative, actionable, and proprietary content while supporting clients throughout every stage of their growth journey.

    About Odysight.ai

    Odysight.ai is pioneering the Predictive Maintenance (PdM) and Condition Based Monitoring (CBM) markets with its visualization and AI platform. Providing video sensor-based solutions for critical systems in the aviation, transportation, and energy industries, Odysight.ai leverages proven visual technologies and products from the medical industry. Odysight.ai’s unique video-based sensors, embedded software, and AI algorithms are being deployed in hard-to-reach locations and harsh environments across a variety of PdM and CBM use cases.Odysight.ai’s platform allows maintenance and operations teams visibility into areas which are inaccessible under normal operation, or where the operating ambience is not suitable for continuous real-time monitoring.

    We routinely post information that may be important to investors in the Investors section of our website. For more information, please visit: https://www.odysight.ai or follow us on X (Formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and YouTube.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Miri Segal
    MS-IR LLC
    msegal@ms-ir.com

    Company Contact:
    Einav Brenner, CFO
    info@odysight.ai

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Gatwick Airport confirms plane that crashed in India was heading to London

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    LONDON, June 12 (Xinhua) — London’s Gatwick Airport has confirmed that flight AI171, which crashed while taking off from Ahmedabad, India on Thursday, was scheduled to land at Gatwick at 18:25 local time.

    “Additional information will be released later,” the airport said on social media X.

    An Air India plane with more than 200 people on board crashed on Thursday shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in the western Indian state of Gujarat, local media reported.

    The plane was heading to Britain. Indian TV footage showed thick black smoke rising near the airport. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Aemetis CEO Meets with White House, Congress, and Agencies Regarding Support for Domestic Energy and Rural Communities in Budget Bill

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CUPERTINO, Calif., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), a renewable natural gas and renewable fuels company, announced today that its Chairman and CEO, Eric McAfee, has held meetings regarding support for domestic energy and rural communities in the federal tax bill with members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and with officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Treasury Department, and the White House National Economic Council. The meetings included a one hour presentation on transferable tax credits and the benefits of Section 45Z production tax credits to the Chief of Staff and biofuels policy staff of the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation.

    “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a generational opportunity to support domestic energy and rural communities through Section 45Z production tax credits for biofuels and biogas,” Mr. McAfee stated. “This year, we have travelled to Washington D.C. more than ten times to meet with the White House, Senate and House, as well as to present to agencies related to biofuels and biogas to communicate the important role of 45Z in the expansion of American energy and the importance of funding to farmers and rural communities through higher value crops.”

    The 45Z production tax credit (PTC) was established in 2022 and went into effect in January 2025. If enacted, the federal tax and spending bill version passed by the House would modify the Section 45Z PTC to extend the credit availability by four years from 2027 to 2031, require the use of domestic feedstocks, and eliminate the indirect land use penalty for ethanol and other biofuels.

    The value of the Section 45Z production tax credits earned by Aemetis is directly correlated with the quantity of biofuels and biogas produced. From 12 dairies currently operating, Aemetis Biogas is rapidly scaling up the construction of dairy digesters to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) using feedstock from 50 dairies that have already entered agreements with Aemetis Biogas. This summer, 16 dairies are scheduled to be operating in the Aemetis Biogas Central Digester Project near Modesto, California, with 36 miles of biogas pipeline and a central biogas-to-RNG production facility already in operation delivering RNG into the PG&E utility gas pipeline.

    Aemetis renewable energy and energy efficiency projects include the expansion of dairy renewable natural gas production to generate more than 1 million MMBtu per year of renewable natural gas; the Keyes ethanol plant mechanical vapor recompression system that is expected to generate $32 million of increased annual cash flow starting in 2026; the Riverbank carbon sequestration project to inject 1.4 million tons per year of CO2 per year underground; and the 78 million gallon per year sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel plant that has already received Authority To Construct air permits and other key approvals.

    About Aemetis

    Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Aemetis is a renewable natural gas and renewable fuel company focused on the operation, acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative technologies that replace petroleum products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Founded in 2006, Aemetis is operating and actively expanding a California biogas digester network and pipeline system to convert dairy waste gas into Renewable Natural Gas. Aemetis owns and operates a 65 million gallon per year ethanol production facility in California’s Central Valley near Modesto that supplies about 80 dairies with animal feed. Aemetis owns and operates an 80 million gallon per year production facility on the East Coast of India producing high quality distilled biodiesel and refined glycerin. Aemetis is developing a sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel fuel biorefinery in California that will use renewable hydrogen and hydroelectric power to produce low carbon intensity renewable jet and diesel fuel. For additional information about Aemetis, please visit www.aemetis.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events or other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections of financial results in 2025 and future years; statements relating to the development, engineering, financing, construction and operation of the Aemetis ethanol, biogas, SAF and renewable diesel, and carbon sequestration facilities; our ability to promote, develop, finance, and construct facilities to produce biogas, renewable fuels, and biochemicals; and statements about future market prices and results of government actions. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “showing signs,” “targets,” “view,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and predictions and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results or events could differ materially from those set forth or implied by such forward-looking statements and related assumptions due to certain factors, including, without limitation, competition in the ethanol, biodiesel and other industries in which we operate, commodity market risks including those that may result from current weather conditions, financial market risks, customer adoption, counter-party risks, risks associated with changes to federal policy or regulation, and other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and in our other filings with the SEC. We are not obligated, and do not intend, to update any of these forward-looking statements at any time unless an update is required by applicable securities laws.

    Company Investor Relations
    Media Contact:
    Todd Waltz
    (408) 213-0940
    investors@aemetis.com

    External Investor Relations
    Contact:
    Kirin Smith
    PCG Advisory Group
    (646) 863-6519
    ksmith@pcgadvisory.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Can the African Energy Bank Transform the Continent’s Refining and Downstream Future?


    Download logo

    Set to launch in June 2025 with an initial $5 billion in capital, the African Energy Bank (AEB) is positioned to catalyze a shift in Africa’s energy sector. Established by the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) in partnership with multilateral financial institution Afreximbank, the AEB aims to mobilize capital for upstream, midstream and downstream energy projects, addressing a continent-wide investment shortfall estimated at up to $50 billion annually. By providing accessible, Africa-focused financing, the AEB is expected to reduce dependency on foreign capital and imports, especially in the downstream sector where over 80% of refined petroleum products are currently imported.

    The AEB’s role in advancing refining capacity and downstream development will take center stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. As Africa’s premier platform for energy dialogue and investment, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will spotlight the AEB’s potential to transform Africa’s energy landscape.

    Driving Refining Capacity Through Local Investment

    Despite holding over 125 billion barrels of oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Africa continues to struggle with insufficient refining capacity, forcing nations to export crude oil and re-import refined products at a premium. Institutions such as the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) have long-advocated for investment in modernizing and expanding Africa’s refining infrastructure. Current projections indicate that African petroleum demand will increase from 4.1 million barrels per day (bpd) to 5.3 million bpd by 2040 – a trend that underscores the urgency of building self-sufficient refining systems.

    As such, the AEB – headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria and scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2025 – is uniquely positioned to support strategic investment across Africa’s downstream and refining sectors. With an ambition to grow its asset base to $120 billion, the bank is positioned to unlock domestic value chains and catalyze large-scale projects that meet the continent’s rising demand for petroleum.

    Momentum in Downstream Expansion

    Recent developments across the continent reflect growing momentum to scale refining capacity. Angola expects phase one of the Cabinda refinery to begin operations in 2025, bringing 60,000 bpd to the market. The country has a goal to increase capacity to 445,000 bpd and is on track to reduce imports of derivatives by 14% by 2026. Nigeria’s 650,000-bpd Dangote Refinery began producing diesel and aviation fuel in 2024, marking a significant milestone for domestic processing. Similarly, upgrades to the Port Harcourt Refinery and ongoing expansion to Ghana’s Sentuo Oil Refinery highlight national efforts to meet growing demand.

    Equatorial Guinea’s recent agreement with Shanghai SupeZet to build a new refinery and expand the Bata facility further illustrates the strategic push toward local processing. These efforts not only reduce import dependency but also create jobs, enhance energy security and promote regional trade in refined products.

    Aligning Regional Integration and Investment

    Africa’s refining and energy infrastructure ambitions are closely tied to broader goals of economic integration. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement, ratified by more than 48 countries, creates a platform for cross-border energy projects by removing trade barriers and harmonizing investment policies. It also supports the development of regional supply chains, enhancing the commercial viability of shared infrastructure.

    The AEB will play a central role in supporting these regional ambitions by working with over 700 African financial institutions and APPO member states to channel funding into integrated, cross-border energy systems. By reducing the time, cost and risk associated with project development, the bank could accelerate the pace of infrastructure buildout across the continent.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    About African Energy Week:
    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine: UK national statement to the IAEA Board, June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine: UK national statement to the IAEA Board, June 2025

    UK Ambassador to the IAEA Corinne Kitsell’s statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting on Ukraine

    Chair,

    The United Kingdom reiterates our support for the IAEA’s work to support nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine.

    We remain concerned that the IAEA was forced to conduct the most recent ISAMZ rotation through Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territory via the Russian Federation. The DG’s report explains the challenges the Agency has faced in obtaining security guarantees and ensuring the safety of the ISAMZ teams during rotations. The safety of Agency personnel must not be compromised.

    We welcome the DG’s continued commitment to this Board that the Agency will comply with UN General Assembly resolution 11/4 adopted on 12 October 2022 and all relevant resolutions from the IAEA policy making organs. All rotations must be conducted using routes agreed with the Government of Ukraine and with full respect of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Chair,

    The Agency’s assessment of the overall safety situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is that it remains “precarious”.

    For more than a month, ZNPP has been relying on a single external power line due to military activity near the site – a drastic reduction from the ten lines available before the conflict. This Board is now, sadly, accustomed to hearing about the vulnerability of the off-site power supply to ZNPP – such disruption increases the risk of a nuclear accident. There can be no room for complacency.

    The DG’s report highlights multiple other safety concerns at ZNPP: signs of potential degradation of equipment (paragraph 35), persistent “near daily” military activity around the plant, and obstruction, including by Russian troops, of access, which limits the IAEA’s ability to independently carry out its vital mission.

    We agree with the Agency’s assessment that in the current circumstances no reactor should be restarted. Any proposal to do so would be irresponsible and pose unacceptable risks to nuclear safety.

    Chair,

    Russia’s systematic strikes on Ukraine’s energy system, reports of drones, air raids and anti-aircraft fire continue to highlight the fragility of the situation in Ukraine. As a result of Russia’s irresponsible behaviour, all three of Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants have been forced to reduce power supply and operate on “significantly degraded off-site energy backup systems” which, as the DG notes, “increases the likelihood of the total collapse of the electrical grid.”

    In addition, damage caused when a drone struck the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement in February has compromised its intended confinement function and its planned lifetime.

    Chair,

    Financial support from the international community, including the UK, has provided Ukraine with vital safety and security equipment and enabled the IAEA to maintain a continuous presence – 196 missions so far – across Ukraine’s five nuclear sites. This provides the international community with the only source of regular, independent reporting on the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine.

    Nuclear safety and security in Ukraine remains at risk for as long as Russia continues its aggression. A lasting peace – one that fully respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, including over its nuclear facilities within its internationally recognised borders – is the only path forward.

    Thank you, Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Drug abuse and drug situation in Hong Kong in first quarter of 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) noted at its meeting today (June 12) the figures of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) and other drug-related figures for the first quarter of 2025. ACAN noticed that the total number of reported drug abusers in the first quarter of 2025 was lower than that of 2024. However, the figures tend to show greater volatilities in the first quarter of each year. The ACAN will closely monitor the situation in the remaining quarters of 2025, and will at the same time continue to carry out its anti-drug work.
     
    Figures from the CRDA revealed that the total number of reported drug abusers in the first quarter of 2025 was 1 644 while that of the same period in 2024 was 1 738. The most common type of drug abused in the first quarter of 2025 was heroin, followed by cocaine and cannabis.
     
    The number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 in the first quarter of 2025 was 285, of which 128 abused the “space oil drug”. The “Space oil drug”, followed by cannabis and cocaine, has replaced cannabis to become the most common type of drug abused among reported young drug abusers.
     
    Regarding the main active ingredients currently found in the “space oil drug”, the Government has listed etomidate and its three analogues (metomidate, propoxate and isopropoxate) as dangerous drugs, which are regulated under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134). The Government plans to list the remaining etomidate analogues as dangerous drugs, and has consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Security earlier this month.
     
    The Chairman of ACAN, Dr Donald Li, said, “When facing the ‘space oil drug’, the Government should not lower its guard. ACAN fully supports the Government’s proposal to list all etomidate analogues as dangerous drugs under the DDO, with a view to nipping this drug abuse problem in the bud. Apart from the legislation, ACAN will continue to carry out relevant publicity and education work.”
     
    On the enforcement front, according to the figures from the law enforcement agencies, the total number of persons arrested for drug offences in the first quarter of 2025 was 940. Among them, 140 of them are youngsters aged under 21. The “space oil drug”, cannabis and cocaine were the main drugs involved in these arrests in the first quarter. According to the court cases concluded for the same period, the conviction rate of persons being prosecuted for drug offences was as high as 86 per cent. As for young offenders aged under 21 who were sentenced to imprisonment for drug trafficking, more than half of them were sentenced to over five years in prison, and the longest imprisonment was 20 years.
     
    A spokesman for the Security Bureau (SB) said, “As the summer holidays approach, we remind youngsters not to  participate in drug trafficking out of greed or gambling on luck, including giving out their addresses for receiving ‘drug parcels’ and joining free trips to transport dangerous drugs across borders as ‘drug mules’. Young age is not a valid mitigating factor for drug offences. A plea of ignorance is not an excuse to avoid legal liability. Young drug offenders will also be sentenced to lengthy imprisonment.”
     
    Moreover, the spokesman reminded youngsters that they need to stay vigilant at all times when travelling outside Hong Kong, with a view to avoiding drug traps when trying something new. Foods and drinks, or even health supplements, skincare products (such as facial masks, massage oil), etc, may contain dangerous drugs. Products that are marked with the words “CBD”, “THC”, “cannabis”, “cannabinoids”, “ganja”, “hemp extracts” or “marijuana”, or with a picture of a cannabis leaf, may contain substances that are illegal in Hong Kong or prohibited for transit at the airport. Members of the public are reminded to pay close attention to product labels during online or in-store shopping. If in doubt, members of the public should not risk purchasing, consuming or bringing these products back to Hong Kong to not to breach the law inadvertently. Information and a video about examples of CBD products have been uploaded onto the Narcotics Division’s (ND) dedicated webpage about CBD (www.nd.gov.hk/en/CBD.html) for the public’s reference.
     
    The ACAN also noted the findings of the 2023/24 Survey of Drug Use among Students (Survey). The Survey is a triennial research project conducted by a research institute commissioned by the ND of the SB, with the aim of obtaining the latest drug taking trends in students and knowing more about students’ knowledge of drugs as well as their attitudes towards drug taking. Such information assists the Government in formulating anti-drug initiatives that would respond better to the actual situation. The Survey successfully surveyed 99 600 students from upper primary to post-secondary levels, accounting for about 15 per cent of the student population in Hong Kong.
     
    The Survey results indicated that the proportion of students who claimed to have taken dangerous drugs rose to 2.7 per cent from 2.5 per cent in the previous survey (i.e. the one conducted in 2020/21). Psychotropic substances are the most common types of drugs abused by these students. These findings are in line with the statistics recorded by the CRDA.
     
    The CRDA figures for the first quarter of 2025 are available on the ND’s website (www.nd.gov.hk/en/index.html).
     
    The ND’s website, as well as its official accounts (narcotics.divisionhk) on Facebook and Instagram, also contain detailed information about dangerous drugs including the “space oil drug” for reference by the public.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • PM Modi, world leaders react after Air India plane with 242 on board crashes in Ahmedabad

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep shock over the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, describing the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words.”

    “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. I have been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected,” PM Modi said in a post on X on Thursday.

    An Air India plane headed to London with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, airline and police officials said.

    The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was operating Flight AI-171 to Gatwick Airport when it went down shortly after departure. The aircraft was carrying 2 pilots, 10 cabin crew members, and 230 passengers.

    Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed her heartfelt condolences following the crash of an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad Airport, which was carrying 242 people, including crew members.

    “Distressed on hearing about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. My prayers are with all families and friends of those on board the flight,” said Sitharaman.

    Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said he was “deeply pained to learn about the plane crash in Ahmedabad.”

    “I convey my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. We stand firmly with those grieving and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Om Shanti,” he posted.

    Offering his condolences, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the passengers and their families.

    “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating,” Starmer wrote on X.
    “I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,” he added.

    British Foreign Minister David Lammy said he was deeply saddened by the news and that the UK was working with Indian authorities.

    “Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India,” Lammy said on X. “My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support.”

    Speaking later in the British Parliament, Lammy said the UK had activated a crisis team in both India’s capital, New Delhi, and in London.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also extended his condolences.
    “Horrible news of a passenger plane crash in India. My deepest condolences to Prime Minister @narendramodi and the entire people of India on this tragic day. Our thoughts are with all victims’ relatives and close ones in India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. We share your shock and grief. We pray for as many lives to be saved as possible and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” he said in a post on X.

    The Airports Authority of India (AAI) said an operational control room had been activated “to oversee and coordinate all necessary response measures.”

    It also shared emergency contact numbers for assistance and information: the Delhi control room can be reached at 011-24610843 and 9650391859, while the Ahmedabad control room can be contacted at 9978405304 and 079-23251900.

  • Air India flight with 242 on board crashes near Ahmedabad airport

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    n Air India plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday,  airline and police officials said. 

    According to Gujarat State Police Control Room, the Air India Flight AI 171 was bound for London.

    The plane was headed to London’s Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said. 

    “At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates,” Air India said on X.

    Thick plumes of smoke were visible at the crash site, and fire tenders were rushed to the spot immediately after the incident.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, state Home Minister, and Ahmedabad Police Commissioner regarding the crash. According to ANI, Shah assured full support and assistance from the central government.

    (With inputs from agencies)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to London-bound passenger plane crashing shortly after take-off in India

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on a London-bound Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashing shortly after take-off in India. 

    Prof Graham Braithwaite, Director of Aerospace and Aviation, Cranfield University, said:

    What do we know about the situation so far?

    “The aircraft involved is an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. This is the first major accident involving the 787.

    “At this point we don’t know whether there are any survivors or whether there have been any casualties on the ground.

    What don’t we know and are waiting to find out?

    “At this stage the focus will be on search and rescue at the site. For the airline, they will be focused on caring for family members and friends at both the departure airport and destination. Until the manifest is confirmed, they will be dealing with a very high number of enquiries from concerned friends and families. Early information about the accident is unlikely to be accurate so even though people will look at tools like FlightRadar 24, it won’t tell us anything about the “why it happened”. We should be very careful not to speculate on cause when there is so little reliable information available.

    Is it unusual for a plane crash to occur so soon after take-off?

    “Yes. Although take off is a critical stage of flight, aircraft accidents are incredibly rare, especially involving modern aircraft types such as the Boeing 787. Take off is a critical stage because the aircraft is still accelerating and any problem-solving requires a rapid response.

    Any other information you think is relevant for journalists to know.

    “The accident will be investigated by the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau – an organisation which is independent from the aviation regulator, and which is focused on ‘not for blame’ safety investigations. This is governed by an international standard known as ICAO Annex 13. Under that, participants will include the US National Transportation Safety Board as the State of Manufacturer. Stated with a significant number of people on board will also have a right to participate so I would expect the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch to be involved.”

    Declared interests

    No reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Largest amphibious exercise on Braunton Burrows since WW2

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Largest amphibious exercise on Braunton Burrows since WW2

    Exercise Catamaran brought together more than 3,000 personnel from several NATO allies to carry out training on the North Devon coast.

    Personnel from several NATO allies took part in the exercise. Copyright: MOD Crown Copyright.

    The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has enabled a major multi-national training exercise alongside NATO allies on Braunton Burrows Training Area, demonstrating its crucial role in supporting military capability.  

    Exercise Catamaran ran between 30 May and 7 June, bringing together military personnel from France, the UK, Brazil, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the US. Royal Marines from 40 and 47 Commando led British involvement in the exercise.  

    It is the largest amphibious exercise of this scale to have been conducted on the training area since it was used by US troops in 1943 to rehearse for the D-Day landings on Utah and Omaha beaches.  

    Ex Catamaran formed part of the wider French-led POLARIS 25 exercise, a month-long training exercise which sees more than 3,000 military personnel from allied nations working on warfighting skills together. The amphibious exercise involved more than 20 surface ships and 40 aircraft in the Atlantic and the Channel and included landing exercises taking place on the beach at Braunton Burrows. 

    Braunton Burrows Training Area is home to one of the largest sand dune systems in the UK and offers a unique place to train.  

    DIO’s Overseas and Training team played an important part in planning and facilitating the exercise. The Foreign Forces team acted as the liaison between the French exercise planners and the Ministry of Defence. They provided expert advice on how the training area could be best utilised to meet training objectives, ensuring that all partners were informed and engaged. 

    Alongside that, Braunton Burrows’ Deputy Training Safety Officer led safety briefings for military personnel, flexibly supported training requirements and ensured a safe place to train was maintained, carefully managing the balance between military training and public access on the area. This technical guidance proved crucial in developing realistic training scenarios that couldn’t be replicated elsewhere in the UK.  

    Braunton Burrows: Enabling Exercise Catamaran

    Brigadier Gavin Hatcher CBE, DIO’s Head of Overseas and Training Region, said:  

    As custodians of the Defence Training Estate, DIO proudly provides a safe and high-quality environment for our Armed Forces and allies to train. While we enable and support important military training year-round, the scale and complexity of Exercise Catamaran has really showcased the versatility and diversity of what we can facilitate.  

    My team has been working closely with the French military for some time to meticulously plan this phase of the exercise on Braunton Burrows Training Area. It has been great to see this collaboration brought to fruition this week with UK military personnel training alongside our allies as they prepare for potential deployments.

    Major Martyn Heenan, Royal Marines, said:  

    Braunton Burrows and the amphibious training it allows is so important as it is one of the most complex operations you can carry out and there’s very few places you can do it. It allows the allied nations involved in this exercise to get onto the same space in a challenging area and work together, which is very difficult to do anywhere else in the world.  

    It’s been a long planning process but DIO have been there all the way through, be it the Foreign Forces team, the Training Safety Officers or the regional commanders, they have really helped with the planning and delivering everything to make this a success.

    Braunton Burrows has to remain accessible to the public at all times, and the site’s Deputy Training Safety Officer conducts careful planning and continuous monitoring alongside colleagues from our industry partner, Landmarc, to ensure military activities can go ahead safely without endangering personnel or members of the public.  

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Air India plane crashes near Ahmedabad airport in India

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    NEW DELHI, June 12 (Xinhua) — An Air India plane with more than 200 people on board crashed shortly after takeoff at an airport in Ahmedabad, western India’s Gujarat state, on Thursday, multiple local media reported.

    The plane was reportedly heading to the UK, with local media footage showing thick black smoke rising into the sky near the airport. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • London-bound Air India flight crashes near Ahmedabad airport

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An Air India plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday,  airline and police officials said. 

    According to Gujarat State Police Control Room, the Air India Flight AI 171 was bound for London.

    The plane was headed to London’s Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said. 

    “At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates,” Air India said on X.

    Thick plumes of smoke were visible at the crash site, and fire tenders were rushed to the spot immediately after the incident.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, state Home Minister, and Ahmedabad Police Commissioner regarding the crash. According to ANI, Shah assured full support and assistance from the central government.

    (With inputs from agencies)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government publishes response to Arcadis report on PFAS12 June 2025 The Government of Jersey has published its full response to the Arcadis Hydrogeological Risk Assessment Report on the current state of PFAS in surface water and groundwater around Jersey airport. The… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    12 June 2025

    The Government of Jersey has published its full response to the Arcadis Hydrogeological Risk Assessment Report on the current state of PFAS in surface water and groundwater around Jersey airport. 

    The Minister for the Environment fully accepts the majority of the report’s recommendations and has already begun implementing key actions: 

    • A steering group has been set up which brings together the Government, Ports of Jersey, and Jersey Water to develop a coordinated remediation strategy that includes immediate, medium-, and long-term options 
    • Further testing of water, soil, and outfalls is underway to address gaps in knowledge 
    • Additional monitoring will take place this summer to track the movement of PFAS from and around the airport site 
    • Officers have identified properties drawing water from boreholes within the updated plume area and are providing direct environmental health advice and support to affected households. Testing of private supplies is already taking place 
    • Arcadis has also been asked to present its findings to the Independent PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel and support them with their upcoming report on PFAS in the Environment (Report 4). 

    The independent report by Arcadis, a world leading environmental consultancy, assessed PFAS across the St Ouen’s Bay and Upper Pont Marquet areas, and found that the extent of affected groundwater near the airport (the “plume area”) is larger than previously understood. 

    There is no immediate risk to the health of the broader population, as Jersey Water do not draw water from these impacted catchment areas for public water supply. 

    The report evaluates and shortlists a wide range of remediation options for the affected soil, groundwater and surface water. 

    The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, said: “This independent report gives us the clearest picture yet of PFAS in groundwater and surface water around the airport. 

    “I have fully accepted the majority of the report’s recommendations and decisive action is already underway. If necessary, I am prepared to use regulatory powers to ensure progress is made at the pace we need to protect our environment and public health. 

    “I want to reassure Islanders that there is no immediate risk to public health. Our public water supply continues to meet EU and UK standards for PFAS levels, and Jersey Water has already taken steps to avoid drawing from impacted sources.” 

    Deputy Luce will be hosting a public meeting at 6 pm on Wednesday 18 June to hear Islanders’ views and answer questions.​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In 2024, 64.59 billion interregional trips were made on China’s transport system – Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) — Chinese residents made 64.59 billion interregional trips in 2024, up 5.4 percent year on year, according to the 2024 Transportation Development Statistics Report released by the Ministry of Transport on Thursday.

    According to the report, 4.31 billion trips were made on the country’s railways, 59.29 billion on roads, 260 million on waterways and 730 million on air transport, respectively, during the year.

    Total commercial freight volume in 2024 was 56.88 billion tons. During the year, 193.68 billion parcels were delivered by mail, of which just over 175 billion were handled by express delivery services.

    By the end of 2024, the total length of railways in operation in China reached 162,000 km, including 48,000 km of high-speed railways. In addition, the country has 5.49 million km of highways, including 190,700 high-speed roads, 128,700 km of inland waterways, and 263 civil aviation airports.

    The data in the report also showed that in 2024, the volume of investment in fixed assets in the transport sector was nearly 3.8 trillion yuan (approximately 529 billion US dollars), including 850.6 billion yuan in rail transport and 2.58 trillion yuan in road transport. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Air India plane crashes at Ahmedabad airport

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An Air India plane crashed at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Ahmedabad airport on Thursday during takeoff, as per the Gujarat State Police Control Room.

    According to the Police Control room, the Air India Flight AI 171 was bound for London.

    Thick plumes of smoke could be seen at the accident spot, and fire tenders have reached the spot. More details are awaited on the matter.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Police Commissioner regarding the plane crash incident. He also assured to provide Central government assistance.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AAIB publishes Annual Safety Review 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    AAIB publishes Annual Safety Review 2024

    The AAIB Annual Safety Review 2024 has been published. It includes information on occurrences and the safety action taken or planned in response to AAIB investigations concluded in 2024.

    The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has published its Annual Safety Review which provides an overview of occurrences notified to the AAIB in 2024 as well as the safety action taken or planned in response to AAIB investigations concluded in 2024.

    • The AAIB received 762 occurrence notifications (compared to 790 in 2023) and opened 20 field investigations. A further 57 investigations were opened by correspondence.
    • The AAIB provided support to 53 new overseas investigations where there was a UK interest.
    • There were 10 investigations into fatal accidents which involved 11 deaths. All involved General Aviation (eight light aircraft, two gliders).
    • In 2024, the AAIB published final reports on 36 field investigations and 65 correspondence investigations and 160 record only investigations.
    • The Branch made 20 Safety Recommendations and 103 significant Safety Actions were taken proactively by the industry in 2024 as a direct result of AAIB investigations.

    The Annual Safety Review also contains an article on the categorisation of events reported on by the AAIB in 2024, it highlights some of the safety themes emerging from investigations into passenger transport events, GA fatal accidents and UAS events reported to AAIB in 2024.

    Crispin Orr, Chief Inspector of Air Accidents said “Commercial aviation remains one of the safest forms of public transport, with global accident rates continuing their long-term decline. Nevertheless, major accidents in Japan, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Korea in 2024 serve as a sobering reminder that safety must never be taken for granted. Thorough investigations into accidents and serious incidents continue to be needed to uncover remaining vulnerabilities.”

    Further comments from the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents can be found in the report foreword.

    Read the Annual Safety Review.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s AG600 Amphibious Aircraft Enters Mass Production Stage

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    April 2023, an AG600 large amphibious firefighting aircraft undergoes a flight test in Jingmen, central China’s Hubei Province. /Photo provided to Xinhua by China Aviation Industry Corporation of China/

    BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) — China’s self-developed large-size amphibious aircraft AG600 “Kunlong” officially entered mass production on Wednesday after receiving the relevant certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAA).

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: More than 220 people were arrested on the first night of a curfew in Los Angeles, USA

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    LOS ANGELES, June 12 (Xinhua) — More than 220 people were arrested on the first night of a curfew in Los Angeles amid protests against immigration raids, authorities in the second-largest U.S. city said Wednesday morning.

    There were 203 arrests for failure to disperse and 17 for violating curfew, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release.

    In addition, three people were arrested for carrying a firearm, one for assaulting a police officer with a deadly weapon and another for pointing a laser at a police aircraft, the police department said.

    Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced Tuesday evening a curfew in parts of downtown Los Angeles from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday local time. She said local authorities imposed the limited curfew in response to looting and vandalism that occurred in downtown on Monday night following largely peaceful daytime protests.

    Hundreds of people have been arrested since last Friday as protests erupted against federal immigration enforcement.

    US President Donald Trump has ordered more than 4,000 National Guard troops and about 700 Marines to Los Angeles, despite objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom and other local officials. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: EU, Spain, UK and Gibraltar reach agreement on future Gibraltar deal

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BRUSSELS, June 12 (Xinhua) — Senior officials from the European Union (EU), Spain and Britain, along with representatives from Gibraltar, reached agreement in Brussels on Wednesday on key aspects of a future EU-UK treaty on Gibraltar, aimed at removing border barriers and promoting regional prosperity.

    “The future agreement is without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom regarding sovereignty and jurisdiction,” the joint statement said.

    According to the statement, the aim of the future agreement is to ensure the prosperity of the region by removing all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods moving between Spain and Gibraltar.

    This will be done while maintaining the Schengen area, the EU single market and the customs union.

    As for the movement of people, checks at the checkpoint between Gibraltar and La Linea in Spain will be abolished for those who cross the border daily for work. Double checks will be carried out at the port and airport of Gibraltar.

    With regard to goods, close cooperation between both customs authorities and the abolition of checks on goods will lead to the creation of a customs union between the EU and Gibraltar.

    The future agreement also covers areas such as state aid, taxation, labour relations, environment, trade and sustainable development, anti-money laundering, transport, environment, cohesion and employment. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former CEO of Guam Helicopter Company Sentenced to 405 Months in Federal Prison for Criminal Aviation Violations

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that John D. Walker, age 60, was sentenced by Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in the District Court of Guam to 405 months imprisonment.  On September 9, 2022, a jury returned guilty verdicts against Walker and his company, Hansen Helicopters, Inc., on 110 counts involving conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”), aircraft parts fraud that caused serious bodily injury and death, employing a mechanic without a mechanic’s certificate, registration violations involving helicopters, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.  Walker was also ordered to pay a $250,000 fine, and a $9,900 special assessment fee.  Walker forfeited $58,407,513, which represented the proceeds of aircraft parts fraud and wire fraud, in addition to $11,770,000, which represented the amount of money involved in the money laundering offenses.

    Hansen Helicopters, Inc., was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the FAA and NTSB, in addition to aircraft parts fraud that caused serious bodily injury and death.  Hansen received a five-year term of probation, a $4,900,000 fine, and a $2,000 special assessment fee.

    Walker subverted aviation laws and regulations, enforced by the FAA and NTSB, which protect public health and safety.  Walker used at least 48 shell companies, most incorporated internationally, to operate an illicit helicopter/pilot/mechanic leasing business in Guam. By concealing that his aircraft were unregistered or illegally registered, unairworthy, and maintained and operated by uncertificated airmen, Walker entered fraudulent lease agreements with numerous tuna boat companies.  He earned over $400 million dollars through his scheme. He concealed his crimes by forging documents, counterfeiting aircraft parts, and bribing aviation officials.

    “The defendants built helicopters from an assortment of discarded frames and counterfeit parts,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “They blatantly disregarded aviation laws to build and operate aircraft that should never have left the ground.  Fishing companies throughout the Pacific region relied on these aircraft for spotting tuna.  Unfortunately, the defendants’ quest for money resulted in the deaths of many pilots.  This was a difficult case to investigate and prosecute, but well worth federal resources. I commend our law enforcement partners on bringing these defendants to justice.”

    “Unchecked greed and flagrant disregard for aviation safety create a recipe for disaster with catastrophic results,” said Special Agent in Charge Cory LeGars of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Western Region. “This sentencing epitomizes the criminal justice system’s commitment to holding individuals and companies accountable for egregious illicit conduct. I commend the relentless efforts of our special agents and the outstanding collaboration between our law enforcement, prosecutorial, and regulatory partners, whose collective efforts brought this complex and hazardous fraud scheme to justice.”

    “How many times have we heard, ’It’s just money…’ when it comes to financial crime?” asked Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Seattle Field Office. “This case shows that all too often, innocent people suffer catastrophic harm because of someone else’s greed. Financial crime is not victimless, and IRS-CI will continue to protect our communities from people like Mr. Walker who put their greed above all else.”

    “Over several years, Mr. Walker engaged in a multi-layered scheme to bribe public officials and defraud the government, significantly jeopardizing public safety in the process,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “The FBI remains steadfast and persistent in our efforts to investigate these schemes and bring bad actors to justice.”

    This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and in partnership with the Customs and Quarantine Agency of Guam.

    Assistant United States Attorney Stephen F. Leon Guerrero, Special Assistant United States Attorney Marie L. Miller, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha R. Miller prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Griffin Global Asset Management Announces the Delivery of Six Boeing 737 MAX 9 Aircraft to United Airlines

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBLIN, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Griffin Global Asset Management (“Griffin”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into long-term lease agreements for six new Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to United Airlines. The aircraft delivered over the course of April and May 2025.

    “We are thrilled to partner with United and welcome them as a new customer. These six new technology Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft are key to United’s fleet plan and we look forward to building on our long-term partnership with the United team in the years ahead,” said Eric Hild, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Griffin Global Asset Management.

    “We are pleased to work with Griffin on this transaction, as we grow our Boeing MAX 9 fleet in accordance with our United Next plan. They provide increased gauge, a great customer experience and will contribute to higher margins,” said Mike Leskinen, Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines. 

    This transaction is consistent with United’s fleet plan and aircraft delivery expectations as outlined in its 1Q25 investor update on April 15th, 2025.

    About Griffin Global Asset Management

    Griffin is a commercial aviation leasing and alternative asset management business with offices in Dublin, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and Los Angeles, CA. Griffin’s team of professionals works closely with airlines, manufacturers, maintenance providers, and financiers to deliver innovative capital solutions globally.

    For more information visit www.griffingam.ie or www.griffingam.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: EU, Spain, UK, Gibraltar reach deal on future border-free agreement

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

    People walk on the street in Gibraltar, March 30, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Senior officials from the European Union (EU), Spain and the United Kingdom (UK), along with Gibraltar representatives, reached an agreement in Brussels on Wednesday on the core aspects of a future EU-UK treaty concerning Gibraltar, aimed at removing border barriers and promoting regional prosperity.

    “The future Agreement is without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom with regard to sovereignty and jurisdiction,” said a joint statement.

    The goal of the future agreement is to secure the prosperity of the region by removing all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar, according to the statement.

    This will be done while preserving the Schengen area, the EU single market, and custom union.

    Regarding the circulation of people, checks at the crossing point between Gibraltar and Spain’s La Linea will be removed for people who cross daily to go to work. Dual checks will be carried out at Gibraltar port and airport.

    Regarding goods, a strong cooperation between both custom authorities and lifting checks on goods will lead to a custom union between the EU and Gibraltar.

    Other areas to be covered by the future agreement include State aid, taxation, labour, environment, trade and sustainable development, anti-money laundering, transport, environment, cohesion and employment. 

    MIL OSI China News –