Category: Aviation

  • MIL-OSI USA: WSDOT urges early planning for Memorial Day weekend travel and ferry crowds

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Holiday travel charts provide best times to travel on busy corridors like I-5, US 2 and I-90

    OLYMPIA – It may not be officially summer yet – but travelers should certainly plan ahead for summer-like crowds for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

    The Washington State Department of Transportation has released Memorial Day weekend travel charts showing the best (and worst) times to travel on key routes like Interstate 5, US 2, I-90 and at the I-5/Canada border crossing. Most state highway construction will pause Friday through Tuesday, May 23-27 to help ease congestion, though some temporary lane shifts, closures or adjusted bike lanes may remain in place for travel.

    Holiday weekends often mean increased traffic and delays along state highways, waterways, airports and pedestrian trails. Travelers should be patient, expect delays and stay alert. Delays may also occur as crews respond to crashes or conduct emergency repairs. Washington state ferry routes also are expected to be busy and reservations are strongly encouraged on routes that offer them. 

    WSDOT encourages travelers to “know before you go,” and follow these tips whether traveling across town or statewide:

    • Get informed about WSDOT’s online tools, including the WSDOT mobile app, traffic cameras and email alerts.
    • Visit online traveler information for traffic, weather, ferry schedules and a real-time travel map.
    • Follow WSDOT on various social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky and X.
    • Identify potential safety rest areas before heading out, to ensure enough breaks to avoid drowsy driving.
    • Pre-program vehicle radios to 530 AM and 1610 AM for highway advisory radio alerts – and be alert for other stations listed on notice signs in some areas.
    • Have a backup outdoor destination as parks and other outdoor recreation sites tend to fill up quickly on holiday weekends. If a site’s parking is full, never park along road shoulders as this is unsafe for everyone on the roadway, including emergency response vehicles.

    Most highway construction paused

    Most state highway construction work is suspended through the holiday weekend – including both Friday, May 23, and Monday, May 26 – to ease congestion. However, travelers should stay alert for lane shifts or work zone staging that may remain in place. Emergency repairs and crash response will still occur, so drivers need to give crews plenty of space to work safely. While no major construction is planned over the holiday weekend, work zone speed cameras may still be active in areas where speeding has been an ongoing issue and crews are present.

    Snoqualmie Pass

    No construction is planned on I-90 from Friday, May 23, through Tuesday, May 27. However, the usual holiday increase in traffic means travelers should expect delays, especially eastbound on Friday and westbound on Monday (see charts for more detail). People can receive text message alerts about significant delays by texting the words “WSDOT Snoqualmie” to 468311. 

    Chinook and Cayuse passes

    State Route 410/Chinook Pass and SR 123/Cayuse Pass are tentatively scheduled to reopen Friday, May 23. Check the mountain passes webpage to ensure the passes are open and to view current conditions.

    Mount Rainier information

    • The National Park Service has a project in progress to repair sections of SR 123 that adds about 30 minutes of travel time, seven days a week, through October.
    • This year marks the second season of timed-entry reservations into the park. More information.

    Vantage Bridge

    To help accommodate increased travel during the two major summer holidays (Memorial Day and Independence Day weekend), all four lanes of I-90 across the Vantage Bridge will be open from May 23 through July 7. Outside of that time, the bridge will have only one lane in each direction through fall due to construction on the bridge. This project is part of a long-term effort to replace the deteriorating bridge deck, with construction expected to be complete by fall 2028.

    Tolling

    In the Puget Sound region, weekend toll rates will be in effect on Monday, May 27, on the SR 520 bridge and SR 99 tunnel. The I-405 express toll lanes and SR 167 HOT lanes will be free and open to all drivers on the Monday holiday. Out-of-town travelers, including those using rental cars, can learn about toll roads and temporary account payment options on the Good To Go! visitors page.

    Ferry travel

    People boarding a ferry by vehicle can expect the busiest sailings will likely be westbound (or onto an island) Thursday through Saturday, May 22-24, and eastbound (or off island) Saturday through Monday, May 24-26. Walk-on passengers can bypass vehicle lines and usually board much faster.

    Trains, airports and transit

    Travelers making a trip by train, personal aircraft or bus also should plan ahead to avoid holiday delays:

    • Amtrak Cascades passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets early and plan to arrive at the station one hour before departure. Trains are running between Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene, Oregon, stopping at 18 stations along the way. Buses also are available for travel between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia and between Seattle and Bellingham. Visit www.AmtrakCascades.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for tickets and schedules.
    • For information about traveling via state-sponsored airports, visit wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation/airports-list or call 360-618-2477.
    • Check with local public transit agencies for any holiday schedule or service changes, including some Dial-A-Ride and fixed-route service that may not run on holidays.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Make do and create this half term at The D-Day Story

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    The D-Day Story has a range of activities this half term the whole family can experience together.

    During the Second World War toys and games were often handmade. Come and make your own toy aeroplane, peg doll and pinwheel to take home.

    Or why not create VE Day inspired paper flowers, flags and bunting.

    There will be toys and games for little ones under five, and Second World War uniforms for all the family to try on.

    These events run Tuesday 27 – Thursday 29 May, 11am until 3pm. No need to book but events can be very popular, so visitors are advised to come early.

    Operation: Spies and Lies also returns to the museum (Saturday 24 – Monday 26 May, Friday 30 May – Sunday 1 June), do you have what it takes to complete the challenges to find the mystery object hidden in the museum?

    The challenge will take you around the museum, learning more about the objects and people involved in D-Day. You also get an exclusive free D-Day backpack to take home.

    All activities are included in the admission price.

    You can also take part in our family trail Resist!, which is inspired by the French Resistance and their role during D-Day. Work together as a team to find and solve clues and puzzles on board LCT 7074 and throughout the museum. The trail is perfect for family groups and is included in the entrance fee to the museum. It is available every day just ask at the front desk.

    Portsmouth City Council leader Cllr Steve Pitt said:

    “Our incredible D-Day Story museum has so much going on, especially during the half-term. It’s a truly unique and educational family day out not to miss, especially during this 80th anniversary year of the end of the Second World War, for which D-Day played such a pivotal part.”

    Families can also experience the family audio guide together to learn more about the objects in the museum and the stories behind those impacted by the events of June 1944. It has been created to engage with a younger audience but can be experienced by all the family and is included in the museum admission price.

    For the full list of events and more information about The D-Day Story, visit www.theddaystory.com

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint statement on UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement progress – 15 May 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Joint statement on UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement progress – 15 May 2025

    A joint statement between the UK and Germany, providing progress on the Trinity House Agreement, following a meeting of Defence Secretary John Healey and Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius in Berlin

    On 23 October 2024, the United Kingdom and Germany signed the Trinity House Agreement on Defence Co-operation in London. The agreement set out our shared commitment to improve and further enhance bilateral defence co-operation to better meet the common challenges of the 21st century and to best secure the common interests of both countries in defence.

    The strategic situation remains difficult, the world is more unpredictable and challenging  than ever before. At this time, it is crucial that Allies stick together. This is most true for Ukraine, where the UK and Germany are leading Europe in stepping up our support by our joint leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), first on 11 April, raising nearly $23.5bn from partners so far. We will maintain our commitment and we will host the 28th UDCG in June, as well as the follow-on meetings. 

    Today we held the first Defence Ministerial Council under the Trinity House Agreement. Since we signed the agreement in October, our Ministries of Defence have worked together to take the first steps towards turning the words of the text into real, practical co-operation. Trinity House committed us to meet in key forums in military co-operation, capability and industrial collaboration, and policy coordination. We are pleased that all these, as well as our Armies, Navies, and Air Forces, have met over the last six months, driving forward Trinity House, its lighthouse projects, and co-operation between our armed forces.

    In October 2024 we announced a series of Lighthouse Projects, which provide the ambition and substance to Trinity House. Today we reviewed progress against these, and we continue to encourage our teams to accelerate progress. We are pleased to announce concrete steps we have taken, to work towards our shared ambition.

    Through Trinity House, we agreed to start work on a new Deep Precision Strike Capability. For the first time, we can confirm that we will aim for this system to have a range of over 2,000km, and are jointly leading a programme of work within the European Long Range Strike Approach.

    We agreed on a strategic partnership in land systems and will continue our close BOXER co-operation. Our armies signed a new bilateral vision statement to drive this forward, they have agreed a new Statement of Intent on Bridging, enabling Germany to purchase General Support Bridges via an existing UK contract.

    We agreed to work together to counter undersea threats. We have twice now had German crews fly on UK P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft, supporting NATO’s Baltic Sentry and helping to prepare for the German aircraft delivery later this year. And a UK P-8A will use the German Naval Air Base as a stopover shortly. Today we also signed a new agreement driving forward with a joint procurement of new Sting Ray torpedoes under development for our aircraft.

    We agreed to develop further connectivity between our Air Forces. They have now developed a detailed “Flight Plan” to make this a reality.

    Beyond these projects, work has advanced across the breadth of defence to enhance our co-operation more broadly, aiming to add joint operational value. We plan on establishing a defence industrial forum beneath Trinity House, bringing together our defence trade associations. We have a shared understanding, that digital transformation is central to the modernisation of the defence sector as it enables it to respond to evolving threats with agility, speed and precision. Consequently, we are intensifying our co-operation in the field of digitalisation and cyber. Finally, following Trinity House our governments are engaged in the development of a Bilateral Treaty, growing the strategic relationship between our nations even further.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Drone as a Service Market Well Poised for Sustained Growth in Commercial, Industrial and Civic Usage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Industry experts are expecting the Drone Service market to flourish. One such report from FACT.MR projected that the drone services market is valued at USD 8.66 billion in 2025 and the industry will grow at a CAGR of 14.3% and reach USD 32.96 billion by 2035. The report said: “In 2024, the drone services industry recorded dynamic shifts fueled by regulatory clarity, commercial adoption, and end-user digitization efforts. Fact.MR analysis found that demand surged notably in the precision agriculture segment, particularly across North America and Western Europe, as growers adopted drone-based imaging and multispectral analysis to improve field-level decision-making. In the mining as well as construction sectors, companies increased use of aerial mapping, which provided real-time volumetric analysis as well as site safety compliance. At the same time, drone-enabled monitoring made substantial progress in city policing and border security, with large pilot schemes initiated in the Middle East and South Asia. Commercial media organizations, event producers, and property agents also ramped up drone-based photography as well as filming in anticipation of increasing visual content needs. These trends reinforced a larger move away from use-case limitations toward operational adoption across industries.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC), NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR).

    FACT.MR continued: “As the sector moves into 2025, the environment is on the cusp of increased scalability. Business drone fleets are moving from pilot to standard operations, particularly in logistics and asset inspection. Fact.MR indicates that increasing adoption of AI-driven navigation, enhanced battery density, and BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) capabilities will drastically enhance service accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Valued at USD 8.66 billion in 2025 and expected to reach USD 32.96 billion by 2035 at a CAGR of 14.3%, the industry is well placed for sustained growth in industrial and civic usage. To stay ahead, companies must immediately pivot toward building integrated drone service platforms that combine AI-enabled flight autonomy, sector-specific analytics, and BVLOS capabilities. This intelligence highlights a shift from isolated deployments to enterprisescale drone ecosystems, requiring the client to reprioritize R&D toward modular, scalable solutions for logistics, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Reports Nearly Double Revenue Year-Over-Year for the First Quarter of 2025 – 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, announces financial results for the first quarter 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights:

    • Total revenues for the first quarter of 2025 were $1.13 million, up 92% compared to $591,379 for the first quarter of 2024 primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth.
    • ZenaTech’s new Drone as a Service or DaaS segment grew from completing two acquisitions of land survey drone servicing companies ─ Oregon-based Weddle Surveying and Florida-based KJM Land Surveying. The Company also signed five LOIs (Letter of Intent) for additional acquisitions during the quarter.
    • The company acquired Othership, a UK workplace management software company supporting its enterprise SaaS software segment, where it plans to leverage workplace AI and quantum computing productivity solutions targeting business and government customers.
    • The company made investments in longer term growth and in new segment development that caused general and administrative expenses to increase to $5.75 million in Q1 2025 versus about $0.7 million in Q1 of 2024. This primarily consisted of sales and marketing activities, new hires, professional services, and finance expenses.
    • ZenaTech made investments in its subsidiary ZenaDrone’s UAE manufacturing capabilities during the quarter, including hiring 35 new engineers and technicians. Also announced was the opening of a drone testing facility in Turkey for beyond-the-line-of-sight drone testing.
    • Drone product highlights in Q1 include finalizing the third-generation design and “production model” of the ZenaDrone 1000 drone that will enable the start of scaling up of production. The company also announced the IQ Square drone has moved from prototype to manufacturing stage.
    • The commence of work on a heavy-lift gas-powered ZD 1000 model for longer fight times for US defense applications took place during the quarter. Testing also commenced on a new high-density drone battery and a proprietary communications system for this drone.
    • The company reported that ZenaDrone is preparing for Green UAS followed by Blue UAS certification required to sell to the US Military. Additionally, it is reviewing and putting in place cybersecurity practices, documentation, and internal controls necessary to apply for this certification.
    • ZenaTech further expanded its Taiwan drone component manufacturer─ Spider Vision Sensors, adding additional engineering and business development staff. It also announced the first Blue UAS-certifiable drone sensors are under development.

    “The first quarter of 2025 was a very strong and encouraging start to the year as revenue nearly doubled, up 92% primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth across both our software and drone segments,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “During the first quarter we launched our Drone as a Service or DaaS business segment with a vision to have a national footprint in the US and globally.”

    “Although expenses increased during the first quarter, these are investments intended to grow the company over the long-term, namely in marketing, manufacturing, product development and testing capacity, which we believe will yield future rewards.

    “We believe that this quarter’s performance demonstrates that our strategy to disrupt legacy businesses like land surveys via a DaaS business model is on track. Our momentum is strong, and we are well positioned to expand our range of drone services with a pipeline of over 20 acquisitions over the next 12 months,” concluded Dr. Passley. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) Expands Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) Exterior Building Power Washing to Dubai Tapping into a Global Drone Cleaning Services Market Growing to USD 13 Billion by 2030 – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announced it is expanding its United Arab Emirates (UAE) presence by establishing a new office to sell Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) offerings based in Dubai. Initially this office will focus on delivering drone-powered cleaning services for building exteriors using the IQ Square drone tethered to a water pipe and electrical cord. The company is currently obtaining a permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to begin power wash testing and operations. Supporting this expansion, ZenaTech will hire two business development managers and up to four additional drone pilots, with drones supplied from its subsidiary ZenaDrone which has a manufacturing hub in nearby Sharjah.

    The global drone power washing market falls under a broader drone cleaning services market category that was valued at approximately USD 4.36 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 13.2 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 17% according to market analyst Valuates Reports , fueled by increasing demand for safe, efficient and cost-effective maintenance solutions.

    “With rising demand for tech-enabled and efficient maintenance solutions, whether for power washing buildings, renewable energy assets, or public spaces, we believe AI-powered drones will bring new safety standards, cost-efficiency, and greater environmental sustainability to maintenance tasks. UAE’s openness to innovative technology makes it an ideal launchpad for these DaaS solutions that we hope to expand to all seven emirates in addition to the US and Europe,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, recently provided an operating update and released financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. The first quarter 2025 results filing is accessible on the Company’s investor relations website.

    Stuart Simpson, CEO at Vertical, said: “2025 is on pace to be a transformational year for Vertical as we advance our piloted flight test programme and move into the final flight test phases. With the announcement of our hybrid-electric programme – opening up new high-value markets – and the expansion of our partnership with Honeywell to certify critical flight systems, we are deepening our technical and commercial edge. With growing regulatory confidence in the VX4 and a strong team behind us, we’re well positioned to deliver a scalable, certifiable aircraft to the global market.”

    Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC) (“Unusual Machines” or the “Company”), a leading U.S. manufacturer of drone components, recently announced it will exhibit at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025, the premier event for autonomy and uncrewed systems, taking place May 20-22, 2025, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

    Unusual Machines will host a booth on the expo floor, where the Company will feature its new U.S.-made FPV motors and its growing portfolio of Blue UAS Framework-approved drone components. These offerings underscore Unusual Machines’ commitment to delivering high-performance, NDAA-compliant drone technology for defense, commercial, and public safety applications.

    Attendees are invited to visit the booth for product demonstrations and to meet with representatives from Unusual Machines. The Company will be actively engaging with integrators, OEMs, and procurement professionals throughout the event and will be ready to take orders on-site.

    Vision software company Foresight Autonomous Holdings has integrated NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) Jetson Orin generative AI computing modules into its 3D-perception system.

    Foresight is using Nvidia’s Jetson Orin Nano and Jetson AGX Orin modules to improve the capabilities of its perception systems deployed in various use cases, with a major focus on autonomous drones and unmanned aerial vehicles.

    The Jetson modules, which are used in generative AI, computer vision and advanced robotics, upgrade Foresight’s vision system with the computing power needed for autonomous drones and UAVs, according to Foresight.

    Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) recently announced operating and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. The Company issued a shareholder letter discussing those results, as well as its second quarter 2025 estimates.

    Commenting on first quarter 2025 results, Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO, said: “Archer’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and reshaping the future of aviation for years to come. This quarter, the team made strong progress across our civil and defense efforts as we continue to deepen our strategic partner relationships and prepare for commercialization in the UAE later this year.”

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: EIA forecasts world oil consumption growth to slow amid less economic activity

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    May 15, 2025

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), May 2025, and Oxford Economics
    Note: Excludes 2020 and 2021 as outlier years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    We forecast consumption growth of crude oil and other liquid fuels will slow over the next two years, driven by a slowdown in economic growth, particularly in Asia, in our May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO).

    The world economy, measured by GDP, increases 2.8% in 2025 and 2026 in our forecast. Excluding the years of global economic contraction in 2020 and 2009, these economic growth rates would be the lowest since 2008. Considerable uncertainty over world trade, manufacturing, and investment points to downside risk in economic growth, which has a direct effect on oil consumption.

    Economic activity uses energy. Increases in population, individual mobility, the shipping of goods, and industrial output result in more oil consumption. Since the year 2000, annual oil consumption growth has been the lowest during the years when the world economy grew by less than 3%. World oil consumption was around 103 million barrels per day (b/d) last year based on preliminary estimates.

    The tariffs announced on U.S. trading partners in early April may have already slowed global trade in physical goods, based on preliminary container vessel departure data from Bloomberg. Less global trade will lead to fewer shipments of goods on vessels as well as fewer trucking deliveries and could affect employment and leisure travel as well. All these factors weigh on oil consumption growth.

    Although oil consumption will still grow, we forecast it will grow by less than 1 million b/d in 2025 and 2026, which would be three consecutive years below 1 million b/d. During the two decades before the pandemic, world oil consumption grew by an average of 1.3 million b/d.


    The biggest forecast slowdown in oil consumption growth is in Asia. Compared with our January STEO, when we forecasted oil consumption growth in Asia to average 0.7 million b/d over 2025 and 2026, we now expect consumption growth will slow to average 0.5 million b/d over those years.

    We forecast smaller changes in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Globally, we revised our world oil consumption growth forecasts down by 0.4 million b/d from the January STEO for 2025 and by 0.1 million b/d for 2026.


    Our forecast remains highly uncertain and subject to change. Leading economic indicators including vessel traffic, truck tonnage, and airport passenger throughput can provide insight into real-time economic activity and provide clues to global oil consumption trends. Market participants can also follow our Weekly Petroleum Status Report for trends in U.S. petroleum consumption (as measured by product supplied). The United States accounts for about one-fifth of world oil consumption.

    Principal contributor: Jeff Barron

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: North America Drone Market Size Expected Reach $31 Billion By 2034 as Revenue Opportunities Jump

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The Drones-As-A Service market is expected to continue substantial growth in the coming years. The adoption of advanced technologies in drones, such as thermal imaging, gas detection, and loudspeakers, is increasing, particularly in public safety and emergency response. Drones equipped with these technologies are used extensively by fire departments, search and rescue teams, and law enforcement to manage disasters and enhance surveillance​. The primary reasons for the adoption of these technologies include the need for enhanced operational efficiency and safety in executing complex tasks such as infrastructure inspections, disaster management, and agricultural monitoring. The ability of drones to provide high-resolution imagery and real-time data is invaluable in these contexts, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation​. A report from Market.us projected that the North America Drone Market size is expected to be worth around USD 31,062.9 Million By 2034, from USD 11,445.1 Million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.The U.S. Drone market was estimated at USD 10,869.4 Million in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2025 to 2034. The report said: “The primary reasons for the adoption of these technologies include the need for enhanced operational efficiency and safety in executing complex tasks such as infrastructure inspections, disaster management, and agricultural monitoring. The ability of drones to provide high-resolution imagery and real-time data is invaluable in these contexts, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation​.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV).

    The Market.us report continued: “The North America drone market is characterized by a significant presence of small and medium-sized enterprises, with a considerable portion being small drone companies. This market is seeing growth in diversity with the entry of major tech companies like Alphabet and Intel. The integration of cutting-edge technologies by companies such as DJI, which recently introduced a LiDAR system for professional surveying, exemplifies the ongoing innovation within this sector. Several key drivers are propelling the North America drone market. Regulatory developments have played a crucial role, especially with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) updating rules to allow more extensive commercial drone operations, including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights​. Additionally, technological advancements in drone hardware and software are enhancing their capabilities, making them more appealing for commercial applications​.” It concluded: “The US Drone Market is valued at approximately USD 10,869 Million in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD 11,999 Million in 2025 to approximately USD 29,233.5 Million by 2034, projected at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2025 to 2034. The presence of supportive government policies and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations has facilitated controlled commercial drone operations, especially in areas such as logistics, agriculture, and infrastructure inspection. Moreover, consistent investment by the U.S. Department of Defense in military drones has further strengthened the market.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Reports Nearly Double Revenue Year-Over-Year for the First Quarter of 2025 – 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, announces financial results for the first quarter 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights:

    • Total revenues for the first quarter of 2025 were $1.13 million, up 92% compared to $591,379 for the first quarter of 2024 primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth.
    • ZenaTech’s new Drone as a Service or DaaS segment grew from completing two acquisitions of land survey drone servicing companies ─ Oregon-based Weddle Surveying and Florida-based KJM Land Surveying. The Company also signed five LOIs (Letter of Intent) for additional acquisitions during the quarter.
    • The company acquired Othership, a UK workplace management software company supporting its enterprise SaaS software segment, where it plans to leverage workplace AI and quantum computing productivity solutions targeting business and government customers.
    • The company made investments in longer term growth and in new segment development that caused general and administrative expenses to increase to $5.75 million in Q1 2025 versus about $0.7 million in Q1 of 2024. This primarily consisted of sales and marketing activities, new hires, professional services, and finance expenses.
    • ZenaTech made investments in its subsidiary ZenaDrone’s UAE manufacturing capabilities during the quarter, including hiring 35 new engineers and technicians. Also announced was the opening of a drone testing facility in Turkey for beyond-the-line-of-sight drone testing.
    • Drone product highlights in Q1 include finalizing the third-generation design and “production model” of the ZenaDrone 1000 drone that will enable the start of scaling up of production. The company also announced the IQ Square drone has moved from prototype to manufacturing stage.
    • The commence of work on a heavy-lift gas-powered ZD 1000 model for longer fight times for US defense applications took place during the quarter. Testing also commenced on a new high-density drone battery and a proprietary communications system for this drone.
    • The company reported that ZenaDrone is preparing for Green UAS followed by Blue UAS certification required to sell to the US Military. Additionally, it is reviewing and putting in place cybersecurity practices, documentation, and internal controls necessary to apply for this certification.
    • ZenaTech further expanded its Taiwan drone component manufacturer─ Spider Vision Sensors, adding additional engineering and business development staff. It also announced the first Blue UAS-certifiable drone sensors are under development.

    “The first quarter of 2025 was a very strong and encouraging start to the year as revenue nearly doubled, up 92% primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth across both our software and drone segments,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “During the first quarter we launched our Drone as a Service or DaaS business segment with a vision to have a national footprint in the US and globally.”

    “Although expenses increased during the first quarter, these are investments intended to grow the company over the long-term, namely in marketing, manufacturing, product development and testing capacity, which we believe will yield future rewards.

    “We believe that this quarter’s performance demonstrates that our strategy to disrupt legacy businesses like land surveys via a DaaS business model is on track. Our momentum is strong, and we are well positioned to expand our range of drone services with a pipeline of over 20 acquisitions over the next 12 months,” concluded Dr. Passley.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) Expands Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) Exterior Building Power Washing to Dubai Tapping into a Global Drone Cleaning Services Market Growing to USD 13 Billion by 2030 – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announced it is expanding its United Arab Emirates (UAE) presence by establishing a new office to sell Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) offerings based in Dubai. Initially this office will focus on delivering drone-powered cleaning services for building exteriors using the IQ Square drone tethered to a water pipe and electrical cord. The company is currently obtaining a permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to begin power wash testing and operations. Supporting this expansion, ZenaTech will hire two business development managers and up to four additional drone pilots, with drones supplied from its subsidiary ZenaDrone which has a manufacturing hub in nearby Sharjah.

    The global drone power washing market falls under a broader drone cleaning services market category that was valued at approximately USD 4.36 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 13.2 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 17% according to market analyst Valuates Reports , fueled by increasing demand for safe, efficient and cost-effective maintenance solutions.

    “With rising demand for tech-enabled and efficient maintenance solutions, whether for power washing buildings, renewable energy assets, or public spaces, we believe AI-powered drones will bring new safety standards, cost-efficiency, and greater environmental sustainability to maintenance tasks. UAE’s openness to innovative technology makes it an ideal launchpad for these DaaS solutions that we hope to expand to all seven emirates in addition to the US and Europe,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 and provides a corporate update.

    Recent Operational Highlights:

    • Announced the expansion of our multi-domain Family of Systems with a new line of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). This strategic move marks Red Cat’s official entry into the rapidly evolving maritime autonomy market and reinforces its position as a provider of comprehensive, interoperable unmanned systems for air, land, and sea operations.
    • Expanded our Red Cat Futures Industry Consortium to include Palantir and Palladyne to boost AI capabilities in contested environments, including visual navigation.
    • Introducing Black Widow™ and Edge 130 drones to the Latin American market at LAAD 2025 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in April 2025.
    • Introduced our Black Widow™ short-range reconnaissance drone and Edge 130 Tricopter to the Middle East market at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Feb 17-21, 2025.
    • Introduced Black Widow™ to the Asia Pacific Market at the AISSE conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia in January 2025.
    • Announced that the Black Widow drone and FlightWave Edge 130 were included on the list of 23 platforms and 14 unique components and capabilities selected as winners of the Blue UAS Refresh. The platforms will undergo National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) verification and cyber security review with the ultimate goal of joining the Blue UAS List.
    • Partnered with Palantir to deploy Warp Speed, Palantir’s manufacturing OS. This collaboration will transform our supply and manufacturing operations with Palantir’s AI enabled monitoring, process flow enhancement and comprehensive data analysis. Palantir’s Warp Speed will optimize Red Cat’s production and streamline its supply chain, change management, and quality assurance, ultimately reducing costs and improving margins.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of advanced drone and aerial imaging solutions, recently announced the sale of 20 high-performance RedEdge-P cameras to Wingtra, a global leader in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone surveying technology.

    This transaction strengthens the partnership between AgEagle and Wingtra, combining AgEagle’s advanced camera technology with Wingtra’s innovative drone platforms to deliver unparalleled aerial mapping and surveying solutions. The cameras are designed for precision agriculture and environmental monitoring, water management, and geospatial applications, and support Wingtra’s ability to provide high-quality data collection for its customers worldwide.

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer, recently announced its first quarter financial results. Key Financial and Operational Highlights for Q1 2025:

    • Revenue for the first quarter of 2025 was $1,547,715 which represents a 16% year over year increase. Product sales of $1,541,811 were up 24.5% over the same period last year.  
    • Gross profit for Q1 2025 was $310,088 up 10.7% from $280,011 for the same period last year. Gross margin percentage for Q1 2025 was 20.0% compared to 21.1% in Q1 2024. Gross profit would have been $271,422 and gross margin would have been 17.5%, not including a one-time non-cash recovery of a write down of inventory of $38,666. The decrease is due to the sales mix of the products sold.  
    • The comprehensive loss for the period of $3,433,712 includes non-cash changes comprised of a positive change in fair value derivative of $157,830, a recovery of a write down of inventory of $38,666, and an impairment gain on notes receivable of $25,951 and would otherwise be a comprehensive loss of $3,656,159 vs an adjusted comprehensive loss of $3,559,976 for the same period last year. Contributors to the slight year-over-year increase are increased research and development, office and miscellaneous, professional fees, share based payments, and wages offset by change in derivative liability.

    AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently announced a new contract with the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) to modernize the Netherlands’ Puma™ UAS fleet with expanded capabilities for enhanced situational awareness and operational effectiveness.

    Under the contract, the Dutch MoD is modernizing its Puma 3 AE UAS fleet with advanced capabilities that empower forces to carry out mission-critical operations autonomously and securely—even in GPS-denied and contested environments. Upgrades will boost survivability, strengthen communications and add the option for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) to maximize operational agility. Deliveries are underway, with the upgraded systems set for rapid deployment at the squad and platoon levels.

    Additionally, the Netherlands is expanding its UAS portfolio with the acquisition of Puma LE, which delivers extended endurance and range. Both Puma 3 AE and Puma LE provide scalable ISR capabilities for tactical formations and civilian missions.

    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: OSS Appoints Lieutenant General David Bassett (Ret.) Board Member

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Former Director of the Defense Contract Management Agency brings decades of defense acquisition and modernization expertise to support OSS’s AI and edge compute growth opportunities

    ESCONDIDO, Calif., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — One Stop Systems, Inc. (OSS or the Company) (Nasdaq: OSS), a leader in rugged Enterprise Class compute for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and sensor processing at the edge, today announced that it has appointed Lieutenant General David Bassett (Ret.) to its Board of Directors, effective May 14, 2025. OSS’s Board of Directors consists of five current directors: Mike Knowles, Greg Matz, Mike Dumont, Mitch Herbets, and David Bassett.

    “We are excited to welcome Lieutenant General Bassett to OSS’ Board of Directors,” stated OSS President and CEO, Mike Knowles. “Attracting a Director of David’s caliber reflects the significant opportunities OSS is pursuing to improve the compute power and competitive edge of the U.S. Armed Forces. His experience managing modernization efforts and Ground Combat Systems programs across the U.S. Army is well aligned with our growth initiatives, including current programs underway to improve the situational awareness of U.S. Army vehicles. I look forward to David’s contributions and guidance.”

    “I’m honored to join the Company’s Board at such a pivotal moment in defense innovation,” said Lieutenant General David Bassett (Ret.). “I believe OSS’s advanced commercial AI and edge computing technologies are critical enablers for the modernization of our military platforms. Delivering resilient capability to our soldiers means processing data at the tactical edge and the Army needs to accelerate the deployment of these commercial capabilities where speed, resiliency, and data-driven decision-making are paramount.”

    Lieutenant General David Bassett (Ret.) Bio
    Bassett currently serves as a Senior Counselor at The Cohen Group, a consulting firm based in Washington DC, where he advises on business development, regulatory affairs, and capital raising activities.   Bassett’s distinguished 35-year military career was marked by leadership in modernization efforts and the management of large-scale acquisition programs.

    From 2020-2023, Bassett served as Director of the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), where he led more than 11,000 civilian and military personnel who managed more than 250,000 contracts with total value in excess of $3.5 trillion. Prior to his role at DCMA, he served as Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T), where he led the development and acquisition of the Army’s tactical network—one of the service’s top modernization priorities. Earlier, he served as Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS), where he led modernization efforts for the Army’s fleet of ground combat vehicles, including the Abrams, Bradley, and Stryker. His previous assignments include Deputy Program Executive Officer for Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS) and manager of the Joint Program Office, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV).

    He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Virginia, is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and is a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

    About One Stop Systems
    One Stop Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSS) is a leader in AI enabled solutions for the demanding ‘edge’. OSS designs and manufactures Enterprise Class compute and storage products that enable rugged AI, sensor fusion and autonomous capabilities without compromise. These hardware and software platforms bring the latest data center performance to harsh and challenging applications, whether they are on land, sea or in the air.

    OSS products include ruggedized servers, compute accelerators, flash storage arrays, and storage acceleration software. These specialized compact products are used across multiple industries and applications, including autonomous trucking and farming, as well as aircraft, drones, ships and vehicles within the defense industry.

    OSS solutions address the entire AI workflow, from high-speed data acquisition to deep learning, training and large-scale inference, and have delivered many industry firsts for industrial OEM and government customers.

    As the fastest growing segment of the multi-billion-dollar edge computing market, AI enabled solutions require-and OSS delivers-the highest level of performance in the most challenging environments without compromise.

    OSS products are available directly or through global distributors. For more information, go to www.onestopsystems.com. You can also follow OSS on X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    One Stop Systems cautions you that statements in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as, but not limited to, “anticipate,” “aim,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “suggest,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions or phrases, or the negative of those expressions or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by One Stop Systems or its partners that any of our plans or expectations will be achieved, including but not limited to the potential and/or the results of current or future programs with defense contractors and the U.S. Department of Defense, the future adoption of technologies or applications, the potential benefit to the Company of Bassett’s background and experience, the expansion of the Company’s offerings and/or relationship with different branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risk and uncertainties inherent in our business, including risks described in our prior press releases and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

    Media Contacts:
    Robert Kalebaugh
    One Stop Systems, Inc.
    Tel (858) 518-6154
    Email contact

    Investor Relations:
    Andrew Berger
    Managing Director
    SM Berger & Company, Inc.
    Tel (216) 464-6400
    Email contact

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Odysight.ai Reports Financial Results for The First Quarter of 2025 and Provides Business Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OMER, Israel, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Odysight.ai Inc. (NASDAQ: ODYS), a leading provider of visual based predictive maintenance (PdM) and condition-based monitoring (CBM) solutions, announces its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and provides a business update.

    Key highlights

    First quarter revenues totaled $2.1 million.
       
    Uplisted to the Nasdaq Capital Market in February 2025 and raised gross proceeds of $23.7 million.
       
      Net cash position1 of approximately $37.2 million as of March 31, 2025.
       
    Commercial achievements:
       
    Partnered with Israel Railways to develop advanced AI-powered visualization system to prevent derailments and enhance railway safety.
       
    Received an initial purchase order from a European partner for a combined industrial solution, using Odysight.ai’s sensors and machine learning algorithms, designed to monitor the condition of belts and cables used across various industrial sectors such as cranes, elevators and transportation systems.


    Einav Brenner, Chief Financial Officer of Odysight.ai:
    “We’re making important strides in building the technological and operational foundations that will support our long-term growth. While some of this progress is not yet reflected in our financial results, we are focused on strengthening our infrastructure, expanding our technological capabilities, establishing relationships with global leaders in our industry and positioning ourselves for future success in Aerospace and new verticals. Our successful uplisting to Nasdaq and recent capital raise mark major milestones for the Company. These achievements not only strengthen our balance sheet, but also enhance our visibility, credibility and access to global customers and investors. We believe we are well-positioned to support our strategic initiatives and drive sustainable, long-term growth. These are investments in a differentiated value proposition — for our customers, our partners and our shareholders.”

    Financial highlights for three months ended March 31, 2025

    Revenues were approximately $2.1 million, compared to $0.2 million from the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributed to the full recognition of approximately $1.7 million in revenues from the fulfillment of contract with a Fortune 500 medical company.

    Backlog2 was approximately $14.8 million as of March 31, 2025. 

    Cost of Revenues was $1.5 million, compared to $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributed to the approximately $1 million in cost of revenues related to the fulfillment of a contract with a Fortune 500 medical company, and to the recognition of an inventory impairment of $0.2 million.

    Gross Profit (Loss) was $0.6 million, reflecting a gross margin of 26%, compared to gross loss of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The improvement is attributable to Industry 4.0 revenues and to the contract fulfillment related to a Fortune 500 medical company.

    Operating expenses were $5.1 million, compared to $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by the expansion of the Company’s operations, including the development of new Industry 4.0 products and one-time expenses related to the Company’s uplisting to Nasdaq.

    Net loss was $4.3 million, compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    Cash Balance1 as of March 31, 2025 was $37.2 million, compared to approximately $17.0 million as of March 31, 2024. In February 2025, the Company uplisted to the Nasdaq Capital Market and completed a U.S. underwritten public offering with gross proceeds of approximately $23.7 million.

    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 Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

    Backlog

    We present our results of operations in a way that we believe will be the most meaningful and useful to investors, analysts, rating agencies and others who use our financial information to evaluate our performance. Backlog is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for any GAAP financial measures, including revenue or net income (loss), and, as calculated, may not be comparable to companies in other industries or within the same industry with similarly titled measures of performance. In addition, backlog should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Therefore, backlog should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to future events or our future performance. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding long-term growth prospects, future plans related to infrastructure, technological capabilities and relationships with global leaders and success in Aerospace and new verticals. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Those statements are based on information we have when those statements are made or our management’s current expectation and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward- looking statements. Factors that may affect our results, performance, circumstances or achievements include, but are not limited to the following: (i) market acceptance of our existing and new products, including those that utilize our micro Odysight.ai technology or offer Predictive Maintenance and Condition Based Monitoring applications, (ii) lengthy product delays in key markets, (iii) an inability to secure regulatory approvals for the sale of our products, (iv) intense competition in the medical device and related industries from much larger, multinational companies, (v) product liability claims, product malfunctions and the functionality of Odysight.ai’s solutions under all environmental conditions, (vi) our limited manufacturing capabilities and reliance on third-parties for assistance, (vii) an inability to establish sales, marketing and distribution capabilities to commercialize our products, (viii) an inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, (ix) our efforts obtain and maintain intellectual property protection covering our products, which may not be successful, (x) our reliance on a single customer that accounts for a substantial portion of our revenues, (xi) our reliance on single suppliers for certain product components, including for miniature video sensors which are suitable for our Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor technology products, (xii) the fact that we will need to raise additional capital to meet our business requirements in the future and that such capital raising may be costly, dilutive or difficult to obtain, (xiii) the impact of computer system failures, cyberattacks or deficiencies in our cybersecurity, (xiv) the fact that we conduct business in multiple foreign jurisdictions, exposing us to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, logistical, global supply chain and communications challenges, burdens and costs of compliance with foreign laws and political and economic instability in each jurisdiction, including the adoption or expansion of economic sanctions, tariffs or trade restrictions and (xv) political, economic and military instability in Israel, including the impact of Israel’s war against Hamas. These and other important factors discussed in Odysight.ai’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 26, 2025, and our other reports filed with the SEC, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Odysight.ai undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

    Company Contact:

    Einav Brenner, CFO
    info@odysight.ai

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Miri Segal
    MS-IR LLC
    msegal@ms-ir.com
    Tel: +1-917-607-8654

    1Including cash, cash equivalents, short term deposits and restricted deposit/cash.

    2Backlog is measured and defined differently by companies within our industry. We refer to “backlog” as our booked orders based on purchase orders or hard commitments but not yet recognized as revenue. Backlog is not a comprehensive indicator of future revenue and is not a measure of profitability. Orders included in backlog may be cancelled or rescheduled by customers. A variety of conditions, both specific to the individual customer and generally affecting the customer’s industry, may cause customers to cancel, reduce or delay orders that were previously made or anticipated. Projects may remain in backlog for extended periods of time.

    ODYSIGHT.AI INC.
    INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

        Three months ended  
        March 31,  
        2025     2024  
        Unaudited  
        USD in thousands
    (except per share data)
     
                 
    REVENUES     2,065       187  
    COST OF REVENUES     1,527       410  
    GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)     538       (223 )
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES     2,487       1,567  
    SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES     396       234  
    GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES     2,215       1,340  
    OPERATING LOSS     (4,560 )     (3,364 )
    FINANCING INCOME, NET     295       202  
    NET LOSS     (4,265 )     (3,162 )

     ODYSIGHT.AI INC.
    INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

        March 31,     December 31,  
        2025     2024  
        Unaudited     Audited  
        USD in thousands  
    Assets                
                     
    CURRENT ASSETS:                
    Cash and cash equivalents     36,881       18,164  
    Restricted cash     326        
    Restricted deposit           322  
    Accounts receivable     192       1,510  
    Inventory           203  
    Other current assets     692       588  
    Total current assets     38,091       20,787  
                     
    NON-CURRENT ASSETS:                
    Contract fulfillment assets           1,017  
    Property and equipment, net     407       407  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     995       1,113  
    Severance pay asset     254       259  
    Other non-current assets     96       96  
    Total non-current assets     1,752       2,892  
                     
    TOTAL ASSETS     39,843       23,679  
    Liabilities and shareholders’ equity                
                     
    CURRENT LIABILITIES:                
    Accounts payable     486       442  
    Contract liabilities – short term     243       702  
    Operating lease liabilities – short term     505       539  
    Accrued compensation expenses     1,456       1,124  
    Related parties     218       120  
    Other current liabilities     510       368  
    Total current liabilities     3,418       3,295  
                     
    NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:                
    Contract liabilities – long term           1,373  
    Operating lease liabilities – long term     406       508  
    Liability for severance pay     254       259  
    Total non-current liabilities     660       2,140  
                     
    TOTAL LIABILITIES     4,078       5,435  
                     
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:                
    Common stock, $0.001 par value; 300,000,000  shares authorized as of March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, 16,307,321 and 12,612,517 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively     17       13  
    Additional paid-in capital     85,987       64,205  
    Accumulated deficit     (50,239 )     (45,974  
    TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     35,765       18,244  
                     
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     39,843       23,679  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: “No credible net-zero plan can include rampant airport expansion”

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    Opening a third runway at Heathrow Airport could result in pollution equivalent to an additional 2.4 million tons of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each year by 2050, according to the government’s own figures released through FOI requests. Responding to this being reported in Politico, Sian Berry MP said,  

    “This Labour Government is wildly out of touch with reality. Even with the maximum possible impact of “jet zero” efforts on fuel this expansion remains a climate catastrophe.

    “The Net-zero minister is missing in action and his department is shamefully failing to stand up to a misguided Chancellor. 

    “No credible net-zero plan can include rampant airport expansion and it’s time Labour looked to the many, many alternative ways to create high-paid green jobs.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Next Hydrogen Reports Q1 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc. (the “Company” or “Next Hydrogen”) (TSXV:NXH, OTC:NXHSF), a designer and manufacturer of electrolyzers, is pleased to report its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025.

    “The value proposition offered by our unique water electrolyzers is clear and well supported by over 40,000 hours of data. This has resulted in partnerships with blue chip industry partners such as Casale, GE Vernova and Pratt & Whitney,” said Raveel Afzaal, President & CEO. “The focus for 2025 is to (1) scale up our product line up to 8MW, (2) demonstrate a strong execution pathway for large volume manufacturing, and (3) show further and significant growth in our sales backlog. We are executing well on all three of these goals which should unlock long-term funding solutions for Next Hydrogen.”  

    Q1 2025 Financial Highlights

    • Cash balance was $1.5M as of March 31, 2025, compared to $3.5M as of December 31, 2024.
    • Revenue for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 was $0.3M compared to $0.6M in the same period of the prior year.
    • Net loss and comprehensive loss for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 was $3M compared to $3.4M in the same period of the prior year.

    Management is proud to highlight several recent milestones that demonstrate significant recent progress:

    • In April 2025, Next Hydrogen received a $5M working capital debt facility from the Export Development Canada (“EDC”), of which approximately $3M has been received in cash and the remaining $2M is expected later in the year. Next Hydrogen intends to use the funds for its scale up and general corporate purposes.
    • Next Hydrogen has achieved over 40,000 hours of data on its test platform driving the significant improvement in cell performance achieved to date.
    • In March 2025, Next Hydrogen partnered with a leading hydrogen production system manufacturer with an existing gigawatt scale manufacturing facility to accelerate the scale-up and commercialization of its water electrolysis technology. This partnership provides Next Hydrogen with world-leading manufacturing capacity and competitively positions it to bid on large-scale projects globally starting in 2026. Next Hydrogen will continue to maintain control over intellectual property and electrolyzer design. The Company also aims to further expand its Canadian operations to ensure flexible supply chain and production that aligns with evolving clean energy policies, driving global green hydrogen adoption.
    • In March 2025, Next Hydrogen received ISO 9001-2015 and ISO 45001-2018 certifications for its 6610 Edwards Boulevard site in Mississauga, Canada. This demonstrates and certifies Next Hydrogen’s standardized quality systems, health and safety management systems, supplier selection processes, and continuous improvement processes. These certifications show that the Company has an efficient operating system capable of scaling to support its expanding customer base.
    • In March 2025, the Company appointed Adarsh Mehta to the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”). Ms. Mehta filled the vacancy on the Board resulting from the resignation of Mr. Matthew Fairlie, who resigned from the Board effective January 15, 2025. Ms. Mehta is VP of Business Development at Jenner Renewable Consulting, with 22 years of experience in renewable energy, leading technical reviews, due diligence, and development for over 2,500MW of wind and solar projects in the Americas. She served on the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s Board from 2008 to 2015 and was Chairperson in 2011. Her extensive expertise in renewable energy and project development is crucial for the Company’s growth.
    • As of December 2024, the Company closed a private placement offering (the “Offering”) and received unsecured convertible debentures (each, a “Debenture”) consisting of about $2.7M principal amount of Debentures. Next Hydrogen intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to invest in its scale-up efforts and for general corporate purposes.
    • In November 2024, Next Hydrogen and Pratt & Whitney announced a collaboration to demonstrate the use of hydrogen in aircraft engines as an enabler for reducing CO2 emissions. This project is partially funded by Canada’s Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (“INSAT”) and will accelerate the Company’s efforts towards high efficiency, low-cost electrolyzers which are needed for establishing hydrogen production infrastructure for aviation fuel.
    • In October 2024, the Company successfully completed a durability test of its second-generation water electrolyzer technology (“GEN2”) electrolysis cells used in the efficient production of green hydrogen. The GEN2 cells will be deployed in Next Hydrogen electrolyzers at customer sites for commercial operation. Next Hydrogen previously reported that it has achieved its energy efficiency targets cell performance of 1.90 V/cell at 1 A/cm2 and 70°C for its GEN2 water electrolyzer technology which exceeded the reported US Department of Energy (“DOE”) technical targets status for energy efficiency. The GEN2 performance achievement has positioned the Company to being the industry leader in electrolysis cell performance.
    • In September 2024, the Company successfully completed an extended Factory Acceptance Test for its GEN2 electrolysis cells. The Company plans to commission the system at an external reference site for market demonstration in 2025.
    • In August 2024, the Company was awarded a contract by the University of Minnesota (“UMN”) for its latest generation electrolysis technology to be installed at the UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center (“WCROC”). The WCROC project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Project Agency (“ARPA-E”) as well as other partners including RTI International (“RTI”) and will include technologies from Casale SA, RTI, UMN, Nutrien and Shell to demonstrate the production of ammonia from renewable energy targeting emerging energy markets and existing agricultural markets. Next Hydrogen will be supplying its latest third-generation Alkaline Water Electrolyzers featuring further advancements in energy efficiency, current density and operating pressure.

    For a more detailed discussion of Next Hydrogen’s first quarter results, please see the Company’s financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis, which are available on the Company’s website at nexthydrogen.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    In addition, to better understand our achievements from 2024 and the outlook for 2025, please refer to the CEO letter included in the 2024 year-end MD&A.

    About Next Hydrogen

    Founded in 2007, Next Hydrogen is a designer and manufacturer of electrolyzers that use water and electricity as inputs to generate clean hydrogen for use as an energy source. Next Hydrogen’s unique cell design architecture supported by 40 patents enables high current density operations and superior dynamic response to efficiently convert intermittent renewable electricity into green hydrogen on an infrastructure scale. Following successful pilots, Next Hydrogen is scaling up its technology to deliver commercial solutions to decarbonize industrial and transportation sectors.

    Contact Information

    Raveel Afzaal, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc.
    Email: rafzaal@nexthydrogen.com
    Phone: 647-961-6620

    www.nexthydrogen.com

    Cautionary Statements

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the risks associated with the hydrogen industry in general; delays or changes in plans with respect to infrastructure development or capital expenditures; cell efficiency targets; expected order sizes for the product line; customer relationships and customer terms for testing of products at a customer site; the ability of the Corporation to optimize energy efficiencies; the Corporation’s available resources to double its growing backlog; uncertainty with respect to the timing of any contemplated transactions or partnerships, or whether such contemplated transactions or partnerships will be completed at all; whether the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to costs and expenses; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals; health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to infrastructure developments or capital expenditures; currency exchange rate fluctuations; as well as general economic conditions, stock market volatility; and the ability to access sufficient capital. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, there will be no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Adyton announces $11M funding round from Venrock, Khosla and new deployment with the U.S. Navy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Adyton announced its $11M funding round, led by Venrock with participation from Khosla Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Alumni Ventures, Initialized Capital, Kindred Ventures, and Leblon Capital.

    The company also announced a multi-year deal worth up to $7M with U.S. Naval Aviation to deploy its technology, the Adyton Operations Kit (AOK), to thousands of sailors on multiple aircraft carriers, including the USS Stennis.

    AOK is the operating system for defense, built specifically for the warfighter. AOK is mobile-first technology that generates net new, real-time data about personnel, equipment, and munitions from the individual-level up through the chain of command, increasing readiness, operational agility, and lethality of America’s forces.

    “America’s success in the next conflict will be defined by how quickly we can learn, adapt, and innovate relative to our rivals, and how quickly we can convert data into action. In order to maintain force supremacy, we have to change the design of the systems that generate and distribute data for everyone in the Armed Forces, from the individual warfighter to four-star generals and admirals,” said James Boyd, CEO and co-founder of Adyton, and former member of the Army Special Forces. “AOK digitizes and automates operational processes, meaning the warfighter spends less time on paperwork and more time preparing for the mission, and Commanders have accurate, ground-truth data that does not exist today.”

    “As a Naval officer, I’ve seen firsthand how few technologies are built specifically with the warfighter in mind,” said Morgan Hitzig, Venrock’s lead investor in Adyton’s round. “James and JJ didn’t just interview users, they were the users. That authenticity and mission-intimacy puts Adyton in a position to build technology that gives our military a decisive tempo advantage necessary to succeed during the next conflict we hope not to fight, but must be prepared to win.”

    The number of active units with AOK deployed has increased more than 500% during 2024, including being in use in all Special Forces Groups and over 60% of Army Brigade Combat Teams. Troops use AOK to operate with greater agency and empowerment because they have instantaneous access to information, resources, supplies, and support platforms. AOK generates ground-level truth for Commanders to radically improve decision velocity and accuracy.

    “Adyton’s technology generates data about the ground-truth status of personnel and equipment that, until now, the Department of Defense has never had access to,” said Sven Strohband, Partner and Managing Director at Khosla Ventures.

    “My focus is finding the right people who I believe will succeed. James and JJ have the mettle and mission-focus to radically improve how the warfighter operates. We’ve been an early supporter of Adyton, and we’re proud to reaffirm our dedication to Adyton,” said Joe Montana, Managing Partner at Liquid 2 Ventures.

    About Adyton
    Adyton is a public benefit corporation, founded by former non-commissioned officers and U.S. Special Forces operators in 2019. Confronted with the operational challenges every member of the Armed Forces experiences, Adyton built the Adyton Operations Kit (AOK) to digitize and automate operational processes like equipment and inventory management and personnel availability and readiness.

    By reducing hours or days of paperwork and manual drudgery to minutes or seconds, AOK enhances warfighters’ level of battlefield effectiveness. Adyton’s technology is also used to provide accurate, individual-level data to Command, enabling leadership to confidently deploy troops for any mission, from kinetic action to humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery.

    Adyton is backed by leading investors at Venrock, Khosla Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Initialized Capital, Kindred Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and Leblon Capital.

    Contact
    Ian Martorana
    ian@aimcomms.xyz

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales boosts Air Traffic Management System for Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services SMATSA

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales boosts Air Traffic Management System for Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services SMATSA

    • Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services SMATSA will use Thales’s modular Air Traffic Management (ATM) solution, TopSky – ATC One complemented by TopSky – Sequencer powered by AI, to enhance its operational capabilities, optimize air traffic flow management, increase runway capacities, and reduce delays.
    • This future-proof, scalable solution positions SMATSA at the forefront of air traffic management, ensuring safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
    • SMATSA also joins the upgraded TopSky – ATC user group, to help shape the future of ATM systems.
    SMATSA and Thales representatives at Airspace World, Lisbon, © Marker Production

    Thales’s TopSky – ATC One offering, complemented by TopSky – Sequencer, will modernize SMATSA’s air navigation infrastructure. It introduces advanced software and features designed to optimize air traffic flow management, maximize runway capacities, and minimize delays. These improvements will not only support SMATSA’s operational goals, but will also enhance safety, productivity, and decision-making capabilities across the air traffic network.

    One of the main reasons that SMATSA selected the TopSky – ATC One offering is its modular, open-architecture design, which ensures that the platform will remain adaptable, scalable, and future-proof. This enables SMATSA to continuously evolve its ATM system, in line with emerging technologies, regulatory requirements, and the ever-growing demands of air traffic management.

    SMATSA’s move to the upgraded TopSky – ATC One offering also means joining the group of Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) using Thales’s TopSky – ATC One. This structure fosters collaboration, shared decision-making and ownership. By adopting this collaborative and unified solution, SMATSA can leverage a single baseline product that evolves according to a shared roadmap of future upgrades. This ensures alignment with industry regulations and the collective needs of the air navigation community.

    Alongside the technological upgrade, SMATSA is also committed to workforce development. The upgrade will provide extensive market-relevant training and strategic workforce management initiatives, focusing on attracting young talent and improving gender diversity in the aviation sector. As part of its broader inclusivity efforts, SMATSA aims to increase the representation of women in the aviation industry, positioning itself as an employer of choice.

    We are proud to partner with Thales for this significant upgrade of our air traffic management system,” said Raša Ristivojević, SMATSA CEO.The TopSky – ATC One system will modernize our operations, allowing us to better manage air traffic and enhance our service quality. This is an important step forward in ensuring SMATSA continues to meet the growing demands of regional traffic, while also investing in our workforce and promoting inclusivity in the sector.

    We are excited to see SMATSA adopt our TopSky – ATC One offering, a solution that will keep them at the forefront of air navigation services,” said Youzec Kurp, Vice President of Airspace Mobility Solutions at Thales. “This upgrade demonstrates SMATSA’s commitment to technological innovation, operational excellence, and its vision for a sustainable, future-ready air traffic management system.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New energy upgrades for public buildings to save taxpayers money

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New energy upgrades for public buildings to save taxpayers money

    Schools, community centres and care homes receive new awards to upgrade their buildings and save money off bills in the long term.

    • Local community buildings will benefit from cheaper energy bills in the years to come, thanks to funding allocated by the government
    • schools, community centres and care homes will benefit from upgrades, contributing to an estimated £650 million in savings for taxpayers per year on average to 2037

    Pupils at schools, residents at care homes, and users of community centres will all be given a boost today, as the government allocates funding to help cut energy bills for public buildings in the years to come. 

    The social institutions that allow local communities to thrive, such as schools, hospitals, and care homes, will be given extra help to make energy saving upgrades and tackle costs, allowing more money to be spent on the services that people care about. 

    More than £630 million has been awarded for measures including heat pumps, solar panels, insulation and double glazing, helping to make Britain energy secure as part of the Plan for Change while contributing to an estimated £650 million in savings for taxpayers per year on average over the next 12 years.

    The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been awarded over £30 million to install heat pumps at Queens Park Leisure Centre, Birkenhead Central Library and Chase Heys Home for the Elderly, while the Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust will receive more than £14 million to replace fossil fuel heating at two sites, helping power these pillars of the local community with cleaner, homegrown energy. 

    The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands will benefit from £1 million to install heat pumps and solar panels at one of its aircraft hangars, and Worcester City Council will receive £90,000 to upgrade the King George V Community Centre, which is used for employability training and youth activities, with new heat pumps, solar panels and double glazing. 

    The University of York has been awarded £35 million to capture energy from beneath the Earth’s surface to help deliver low-carbon heat to buildings on campus, while the National Portrait Gallery has been awarded over £5 million to switch to heat pumps in its main public gallery and Orange Street building, which houses the historic archives of the library.

    Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said:  

    Today we are providing even more support for Britain’s buildings – from schools to museums and galleries – helping to rebuild vital public services as part of the Plan for Change. 

    This investment will see local communities benefit from our sprint to clean power, with warm public buildings, run more affordably.

    An extra £102 million from the Green Heat Network Fund will help to develop new and existing heat networks in England, including the Hemiko South Westminster Area Network (SWAN), which could help to decarbonise iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament using waste heat from the River Thames.  

    This follows Great British Energy’s first major project to put solar panels on around 200 schools and 200 NHS sites, helping them to reinvest savings on their energy bills in teaching and healthcare.  

    Vice-Chancellor Professor at the University of York Charlie Jeffery said: 

    Our geothermal project will be a powerful catalyst in our journey towards net zero, offering a significant reduction in carbon emissions and a greener future. 

    Beyond its crucial environmental impact, the site will serve as a living laboratory that will drive research, educate our students and bring benefits beyond our campus. 

    The support from the government is a vital catalyst for this transformative endeavour, which we believe will empower the next generation of sustainability leaders and deepen community understanding of renewable energy technologies.

    Policy Manager at Energy UK Louise Shooter said: 

    High energy bills have been a big headache for schools, hospitals, leisure centres and other community facilities in recent years – so it’s great to see them being helped to install energy saving measures and other green technology that will cut energy costs permanently while also enabling them to do their bit to reduce emissions. Energy UK’s members have been helping schools and hospitals across the country do the same and save money which means more funding for the essential services they provide. It’s a very tangible example of the benefits that come from investing in the switch to cleaner energy.

    Head of External Affairs at ADE: Heat Networks Pablo John said: 

    Today’s investment in heat networks like the University of York’s geothermal project is a blueprint for Britain’s clean heat revolution. These networks capture every kilowatt of renewable energy and waste heat we produce, turning it into affordable warmth for consumers. York’s 78% cut in fossil fuels proves that when we back heat networks now – even outside of zones – we secure energy independence for good. Let’s build on this momentum by supporting heat network innovation everywhere and stop wasting the heat under our feet.

    Director of Content and Programmes at the RAF Museum Karen Whitting said:  

    Warm thanks to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for their investment through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This will enable us to introduce new, low/no-carbon technologies to a historic 1938 Type-C aircraft hangar as part of our Inspiring Everyone: RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme. The re-developed hangar will be used as a Learning Centre and exhibition gallery which will welcome and inspire around 500,000 visitors a year, sharing the nationally important Royal Air Force story. The project will make a major contribution to the RAF Museum’s Strategy including our commitment to achieving Carbon Net Zero.

    Notes to editors

    Decarbonising the public sector with low carbon heating and energy efficiency measures will save the public sector an estimated £650 million per year on average to 2037. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is contributing towards delivering these savings for public sector organisations. 

    Applications for Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme opened in October 2024. Funding for this phase is worth approximately £940 million and will run until financial year 2027/2028. Some remaining funding awards will be issued in the coming weeks. 

    As of May 2025, the regional breakdown for Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 4 funding is as follows:  

    • North East: £65,191,456 
    • Yorkshire and the Humber: £81,262,778 
    • North West: £116,815,617 
    • East Midlands: £73,405,602 
    • West Midlands: £84,306,700 
    • East of England: £29,149,553 
    • South East: £35,720,404 
    • South West: £30,002,246 
    • Greater London: £113,914,685 
    • Wales: £2,500,000 
    • Across Regions: £1,325,000 

    The Green Heat Network Fund supports new and existing heat networks in England to adopt low carbon technologies such as heat pumps, recovered heat, geothermal and energy from waste. A total of over £484 million in awards to 40 projects has been made public since the launch of the scheme in 2022.  

    The projects included in this announcement, which have been awarded a total of over £102 million in grant funding are:  

    • Derby Energy Network (Derby Energy Ltd): £23,240,000  
    • Bristol City Centre (Bristol Heat Networks/Vattenfall): £21,300,000 
    • SWAN (Hemiko): £21,000,000  
    • Lincoln (Hemiko): £15,508,000  
    • East London Energy (Bring Energy): £8,813,120 
    • Trafford Civic Quarter Heat Networks (Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council): £5,750,000   
    • West Bromwich Heat Network (Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council): £4,939,421  
    • Mersey Biochar Heat Network (Severn Wye Energy Agency Ltd): £1,728,890

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New 2,000 km “deep precision strike” weapon to be developed by UK and Germany as Trinity House Agreement delivers first major milestones

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    New 2,000 km “deep precision strike” weapon to be developed by UK and Germany as Trinity House Agreement delivers first major milestones

    The UK and Germany will confirm for the first time that they will work together to develop a new long-range strike capability with a range of over 2,000 km

    The United Kingdom and Germany will today (Thursday 15th May) confirm for the first time that they will work together to develop a new long-range strike capability with a range of over 2,000 km, as both countries step up on European security and drive economic growth at home.

    This comes following the signing of the landmark Trinity House Agreement on Defence Co-operation in October in London – the first-of-its-kind bilateral defence agreement between the UK and Germany.

    German Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, will host his counterpart Defence Secretary John Healey MP in the first Trinity House Defence Ministerial Council today in Berlin, where they will discuss how the agreement is already delivering real benefits, from deterring threats on NATO’s eastern flank, to creating skilled jobs and driving investment at home.

    The new 2,000 km precision deep strike capability will be among the most advanced systems ever designed by the UK, to safeguard the British public and reinforce NATO deterrence, while boosting the UK and European defence sectors.

    Discussions will focus on a joint procurement programme for Sting Ray torpedoes for P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, enhancing the UK and Germany’s ability to counter the latest underwater threats, boosting national security for both nations.

    A new commitment will also see Germany procure advanced British military bridges, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change by supporting jobs in the North-west.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    The UK and Germany have never been closer, and the Trinity House Agreement is already making a positive impact on our security and economy. This partnership is helping us make defence an engine for growth – creating jobs, boosting skills, and driving investment across the UK and Germany.

    In a more dangerous world, NATO and European allies stand united. Together with Germany, we’re leading the way in supporting Ukraine, defending NATO’s eastern flank, and jointly investing in next-generation capabilities.

    It follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty.  

    Since the Trinity House Agreement was signed in October, German crews have joined RAF personnel in two flights on UK P-8 Poseidon aircraft. The UK’s Poseidon fleet play a crucial role tracking Russian vessels near UK waters.

    The Defence Ministers will meet again tomorrow (Friday 16th May) alongside their Polish, Italian and French counterparts in a meeting of the European Group of Five (E5) Defence ministers in Rome.

    The UK and Germany will meet again in June alongside more than 50 nations and partners, when they jointly host the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. Since the UK took the chair, nearly £23bn has been pledged in military support for Ukraine. 

    The Trinity House Agreement is delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change by stepping up national security whilst strengthening our industrial base and boosting skilled jobs at home.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day with a Unique Sound Experience At St Paul’s Cathedral

    Source: Samsung

     
    LONDON, U.K. – May 15, 2025: Samsung Electronics celebrated Global Accessibility Awareness Day this year with a week of accessibility events and workshops in the U.K. The company’s third edition of Accessibility Festival Week was brought to a close with a groundbreaking event at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, aimed at bringing customers, partners and employees together, through a unique sound experience.
     
    In collaboration with hearing-aid provider, GN, and Ampetronic, Samsung showcased Auracast technology to attendees wearing Galaxy Buds3 Pro or GN hearing aids, which allows a single device to broadcast to multiple receivers, to embark on a unique journey of shared listening.
     
    Attendees experienced the famous London Cathedral through a guided tour and choir performances. Audio of this experience was broadcasted using Auracast microphones and transmitters directly into participants’ Galaxy Buds3 Pro or GN hearing aids, eliminating background noise to enhance clarity.
     

     
    Auracast & LE Audio
    Introduced in 2022 by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), Low Energy (LE) Audio is an updated standard for Bluetooth technology. It enables more power-efficient and higher-quality wireless transmission of audio from a broadcasting device such as a smartphone, to a receiver such as earbuds.
     
    Auracast is a feature of LE Audio that allows broadcasting from an audio source to multiple audio receivers, including earbuds and hearing aids, turning phones or TV’s into a radio station. It revolutionises audio experiences by enabling multiple devices to connect to a single audio source, fostering an inclusive listening environment. It also enhances audio clarity by reducing background noise, making it ideal for echo-prone venues like cathedrals and museums. Additionally, Auracast offers personalised sound settings, ensuring that users can tailor audio to their preferences and hearing needs, whether enjoying an audio tour or watching TV at home.
     
    Samsung has led efforts to ensure LE Audio compatibility for mobile devices and hearing aids. Since 2022, the company has been pushing for the expansion of LE Audio, introducing 360 Audio Recording and later adopting Auracast through the Buds2 Pro software update.
     
    Samsung’s commitment to hearing accessibility
    Among other areas, Samsung’s mission to redefine hearing accessibility has led to an unprecedented collaboration between mobile technology and hearing-aid innovation. With Auracast, Samsung bridges the gap between consumer audio and hearing devices, crafting a seamless, intelligent, and connected listening experience.
     
    Beyond Personal Audio: Now, both Galaxy Buds and hearing-aid users can tune into the same audio simultaneously, without limitations.
    Beyond Phones: When moving from your smartphone to TV, or from public to private spaces, sound stays with you—with no need to manually pair your device to each new transmitter. Anyone nearby can tune in freely to a shared audio stream, just like joining a public Wi-Fi.
    Beyond Boundaries: Whether at a stadium, airport or cafe, personalised audio is accessible in any setting.
     

    Accessibility Festival Week
    Ahead of bringing this vision to life at St Paul’s Cathedral, Samsung hosted its third annual Accessibility Festival Week (AFW) in London. The festival aims to reinforce the company’s commitment to accessibility and foster collaboration across departments and regions. Participants joined a host of activities,  including ‘Inspiration Tours’ exploring inclusive design practices at Samsung KX and Google’s Discovery Centre. Staff were invited to attend a number of accessibility workshops, and this was followed by a keynote session led by Simon Sung, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe, and Jinsoo Kim, Head of the Samsung Accessibility Committee, who shared the company’s accessibility strategy and vision for inclusive innovation.
     
    A recent study by Samsung UK and OnePoll revealed that over two-thirds (68%) of UK adults with disabilities feel excluded from products and services due to accessibility issues, highlighting a significant gap in mainstream brands’ efforts to cater to diverse needs. 80% of respondents believe brands are missing out by neglecting inclusive design, while 72% have abandoned purchases due to inaccessible design.
     
    Speaking on this week’s activity of events, Charlotte Grant, Head of People Experience, Samsung UK, said: “At Samsung, we are proud of our ongoing commitment to increasing the accessibility of experiences through our innovation and we were delighted to partner with GN and Ampetronic to showcase Auracast at St Paul’s Cathedral. It was fantastic to take people through a innovative experience with inclusive technology  and a great way to end our Accessibility Festival Week in the UK. We are committed to directly involving our customers and employees in our decision-making by taking on their feedback to improve our products and services, and help support our mission to inspire a culture of inclusive design across our organisation, into our products and beyond.”
     
    To read more about Samsung’s commitment to accessibility, please visit: Accessibility | Samsung UK
     
    About GN 
     
    GN brings people closer through our leading intelligent hearing, audio, video, and gaming solutions. Inspired by people and driven by innovation, we deliver technologies that enhance the senses of hearing and sight. We help people with hearing loss overcome real-life challenges, improve communication and collaboration for businesses, and provide great experiences for audio and gaming enthusiasts.
     
    GN was founded more than 150 years ago with a vision to connect the world. Today, inspired by our strong heritage, GN touches more lives than ever with our unique expertise and the broadest portfolio of products and services in our history – bringing people closer to what is important to them.
    We market our solutions with the brands Jabra, ReSound, SteelSeries, Beltone, Interton, BlueParrott, Danavox, and FalCom in 100 countries. Founded in 1869, GN Group employs more than 7,000 people and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (GN.CO).
     
    Visit GN.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and  X.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Auracast Transforms Cathedral Acoustics With Unmatched Audio Clarity

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics is bringing people together through sound. The company will showcase the capabilities of Auracast technology by partnering with hearing-aid provider GN on a groundbreaking event at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 16 to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Attendees wearing Galaxy Buds3 Pro or GN hearing aids will utilize Auracast, which allows a single audio source to broadcast to multiple receivers simultaneously and embark on a unique journey of shared listening.
    What’s Happening
    Attendees will experience the famous London cathedral through a guided tour and choral performances. Auracast microphones and transmitters will broadcast audio directly into participants’ Galaxy Buds3 Pro or GN hearing aids, decreasing background noise to enhance clarity. A select group was given the opportunity to discover the potential of Auracast – at a pilot event on May 1.
    “The Auracast experience with the tour guide was amazing,” said one participant. “Ordinarily I wouldn’t be able to join in with the tour because I would be unable to hear properly, but today it was completely different. This technology allowed me to hear everything so clearly so I didn’t miss a word.”

    Auracast and LE Audio
    What is LE Audio?1 Introduced in 2022 by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Low Energy (LE) Audio is an updated standard for Bluetooth technology. It enables more power-efficient and higher-quality wireless transmission of audio from a broadcasting device to a receiver such as from a smartphone to earbuds.
    Samsung has led efforts to increase LE Audio compatibility for mobile devices and hearing aids. Since 2022, the company has been pushing for the expansion of LE Audio, introducing 360 Audio Recording2 and adopting Auracast through the Buds2 Pro software update.
    What is Auracast? Auracast3 is a feature of LE Audio that allows broadcasting from a compatible audio source4 to multiple supported audio receivers5,6, including earbuds and hearing aids. Think of it as turning your phone into a radio station.

    Benefits of Auracast
    Shared Audio Experiences: As Auracast enables simultaneous audio streaming to multiple devices, listeners can enjoy a unified and enriched experience whether using ear buds or a compatible hearing aid. This represents a significant leap from traditional Bluetooth technology, which allows only one device to pair with an audio source.
    Seamless Audio Handoff: When moving from your smartphone to TV, or from public to private spaces, sound stays with you —as you don’t have to manually pair your device to each new audio source.
    Audio Clarity Anywhere: Auracast reduces background noise as audio is directly broadcast into your ears, providing a clearer sound experience. This is particularly beneficial in venues with loud echoes such as cathedrals and museums.
    Personalized Sound: Whether in a museum, a stadium, an airport or at home, Auracast allows you to tailor audio settings to your preferences. This customization ensures that users with varying hearing abilities can enjoy optimal clarity.
    Experience the benefits of Auracast with Galaxy Buds3 Pro
    The Big Picture
    Commitment to Accessibility: Samsung’s mission to redefine hearing accessibility has led to an unprecedented collaboration between mobile technology and hearing-aid innovation. With Auracast, Samsung bridges the gap between consumer audio and compatible hearing devices, crafting a seamless, intelligent and connected listening experience.
    1 Available on devices with Bluetooth 5.2 and above that support Auracast.
    2 360 Audio Recording is available on Galaxy Buds paired with a Galaxy smartphone running One UI 5.0 or above with LE Audio support, including the Galaxy S25 series, Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 and upcoming Galaxy smartphones. Requires installation of the latest software versions of the Galaxy smartphone and Galaxy Buds devices. To activate the feature, go to the Samsung Camera app > select Video mode and then tap Camera settings > tap Advanced video options > turn on 360 Audio Recording.
    3 The quality of the Auracast audio stream may vary depending on the application, network connection and other factors.
    4 Auracast Transmitter supported devices : Samsung Galaxy smartphones, tablets with Samsung One UI version 6.1 or later, and select TV models. Supported Galaxy smartphone and tablet models include: S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE, S23 (except FE edition), S23+, S23 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Fold5, A56, Tab S10+, Tab S10 Ultra, Tab S9+, Tab S9, Tab S9 Ultra. Supported TV models include: 2025 Neo QLED 8K QN990F, QN950F, QN900F, 2024 NeoQLED 8K QND800, QND850, QND900, 2024 MICRO LED models, 2023 Neo QLED 8K QNC 800, QNC900 and 2023 MICRO LED models.
    5 Auracast Assistant supported devices : Samsung Galaxy smartphones, tablets with Samsung One UI version 6.1 or later
    Supported Galaxy smartphone and tablet models include: S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE, S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23FE, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, Z Fold4, Z Flip4, A56, A55, A54, A36, XCover7 Pro,
    Tab S10+, Tab S10 Ultra, Tab Active5 Pro, TabS10 FE, Tab S10 FE+, Tab S9, Tab S9+, Tab S9 Ultra, Tab S9 FE
    6 Auracast Receiver supported devices : Galaxy Buds3, Buds3 Pro, Buds2 Pro

    MIL OSI Economics

  • Trump’s ‘palace in the sky’ plane gift concerns some Republicans

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Multiple congressional Republicans raised concerns about President Donald Trump’s desire to accept a $400 million airplane from Qatar, as rival Democrats slammed the plan as an illegal foreign donation and national security threat.

    Trump said on Monday that it would be “stupid” for him to refuse Qatar’s offer of the Boeing 747-8 airplane, which would be used as U.S. “Air Force One,” the jet American presidents travel on when they fly around the globe.

    Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told CNN on Wednesday that the offer was “a very simple government-to-government deal,” not a personal gift to Trump, and that “of course” it would be withdrawn if the transaction were deemed illegal.

    The aircraft eventually would be donated to Trump’s presidential library foundation and used by him after leaving office.

    “There will be plenty of scrutiny,” Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota told reporters. “There are lots and lots of issues around that, that I think will attract very serious questions.”

    Trump’s interest in the plane became public as he made a high-profile Middle East trip that included an announcement by state carrier Qatar Airways that it would purchase up to 210 widebody jets from Boeing.

    Experts have said it would take years and hundreds of millions of dollars to make the Qatari aircraft, known as a “palace in the sky,” suitable for use as transportation for the U.S. commander in chief, despite backers of the plan saying it would save money.

    Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the aircraft would have to be checked for surveillance equipment and receive security upgrades.

    “It would be like the United States moving into the Qatari embassy,” Wicker told Politico. “I’m not sure how quickly the Qatari aircraft can be retooled.”

    The Defense Department is already procuring a replacement for the current, aging Air Force One, with delivery by Boeing BA.N expected within a couple of years.

    DEMOCRATS RESPOND

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to block all of Trump’s nominees to the Justice Department until the agency reports what it knows about the Qatari offer. Three nominees are currently before the Senate.

    “The attorney general must testify before both the House and Senate to explain why gifting Donald Trump a private jet does not violate the emoluments clause (of the U.S. Constitution), which requires congressional approval,” he said in a speech.

    The Democratic National Committee flew a plane dragging a “Qatar-a-Lago” banner near Trump’s Florida Mar-a-Lago home on Wednesday.

    The action angered nearby Trump supporters. “Whoever’s flying that plane can kiss my ass,” said Steven Drew, a visitor from North Carolina. “As far as I know, Trump’s been trying to do everything to make the country as great as he can, and I’m fully on board with that,” he said.

    Schumer, of New York, said he wants answers to whether the Qatari government would pay for modifications needed to protect the president and secure communications.

    If the U.S. government must bear those costs, Schumer said, “why are American taxpayers being asked to spend hundreds of millions of dollars or more on a plane that will only be used for a year or two?”

    A White House spokesperson on Monday said details of the gift were still being arranged. A new commercial 747-8 costs approximately $400 million.

    Ethics experts have listed a range of Trump activities that could point to the president using his office to enrich himself or his family. Schumer mentioned a $TRUMP meme coin, plans for a new Trump hotel in Dubai, and a new golf course in Qatar.

    Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky said that Trump taking the plane would be a mistake.

    “I think it’s not worth the appearance of impropriety,” he told Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime” program. “I wouldn’t take it.”

    –Reuters

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Southern Rural Strategy will cultivate industry, resilience and communities

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    A new strategy for how and where Auckland’s southern rural area will grow and change over the next 30 years has been approved by Auckland’s Policy and Planning Committee.  

    Franklin ward councillor, Andy Baker, says the Southern Rural Strategy supports the region to accommodate a growing population, while continuing to support a healthy environment and the area’s established and emerging industries, like horticulture, dairy farming and construction.  

    “The southern rural area is expected to account for approximately 15 per cent of Auckland’s overall population growth over the next 30 years. At the same time, it is one of the country’s primary food production regions, with abundant natural resources and some of the most productive land in New Zealand. It’s strategic location, close to airports, seaport and key export markets, helps to further cultivate these industries. 

    “The strategy provides direction for where housing choices, industries and employment opportunities will grow, in a way that supports the area to thrive economically and ecologically. I’d like to acknowledge the Franklin Local Board, mana whenua, and local communities, businesses and representatives, as well as all who took part in the consultation for their work to help shape the future of Auckland’s southern rural land,” says Cr Baker.  

    Auckland Council anticipates an increase of 89,900 people, 37,500 households, and 16,500 jobs in the southern rural region by 2052. Housing capacity to cater for this expected population growth has been enabled by the Auckland Unitary Plan. Over time, areas that have been identified as places where future urban growth – known as ‘future urban areas’ – will also provide additional capacity. 

    Deputy chair of Auckland’s Policy and Planning Committee, Angela Dalton, is councillor of the Manurewa-Papakura Ward. She says the strategy supports the southern rural area to grow well. 

    “This is a vibrant region, where traditional industries thrive alongside emerging sectors. The strategy is about balanced growth, that minimises the impact on the environment while improving housing choices and socially connected communities. By making the most of existing infrastructure, and focusing on projects that deliver multiple benefits, we’re helping set up the region for a resilient and sustainable future.” 

    The strategy covers the fullFranklin ward. It also includes some rural land from theHowick, Manurewa,andPapakuralocal board areas.The area’s quickest growing towns, Drury, Ōpaheke , and Pukekohe, already have community-backed plans to guide their growth, so the strategy does not cover these areas. 

    Consultation on the Southern Rural Strategy took place from Tuesday 29 October – Sunday 1 December 2024.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump signed plenty of contracts in the Middle East, but he’s no closer to the two ‘deals’ he really wants

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shahram Akbarzadeh, Convenor, Middle East Studies Forum (MESF), and Deputy Director (International), Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University

    US President Donald Trump’s visit to Arab states in the Middle East this week generated plenty of multibillion-dollar deals. He said more than US$1 trillion (A$1.5 trillion) worth of deals had been signed with Saudi Arabia alone, though the real total is likely much lower than that.

    Qatar also placed an order for 210 Boeing aircraft, a deal worth a reported US$96 billion (A$149 billion). Trump will no doubt present these transactions as a major success for US industry.

    The trip also helped counter concerns about US disengagement from the Middle East. For more than a decade, local elites have viewed Washington’s attention as shifting away from the region.

    This trip was a reaffirmation of the importance of the Middle East – in particular the Gulf region – to US foreign policy. This is an important signal to send to Middle Eastern leaders who are dealing with competing interests from China and, to a lesser extent, Russia.

    And from a political standpoint, Trump’s lifting of sanctions on Syria and meeting with the former rebel, now president, Ahmed al-Sharaa was very significant – both symbolically and practically.

    Until recently, al-Sharaa was listed by the United States as a terrorist with a US$10 million (A$15 million) bounty on his head. However, when his forces removed dictator Bashar al-Assad from power in December, he was cautiously welcomed by many in the international community.

    The US had invested considerable resources in removing Assad from power, so his fall was cause for celebration, even if it came at the hands of forces the US had deemed terrorists.

    This rapid turn-around is dizzying. In practice, the removal of sanctions on Syria opens the doors to foreign investment in the reconstruction of the country following a long civil war.

    It also offers an opportunity for Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as Turkey, to expand their influence in Syria at the expense of Iran.

    For a leader who styles himself a deal-maker, these can all be considered successful outcomes from a three-day trip.

    However, Trump avoided wading into the far more delicate diplomatic and political negotiations needed to end Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and find common ground with Iran on its nuclear program.

    No solution in sight for the Palestinians

    Trump skirted the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and offered no plans for a diplomatic solution to the war, which drags on with no end in sight.

    The president did note his desire to see a normalisation of relations between Arab states and Israel, without acknowledging the key stumbling block.

    While Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have no love for Hamas, the Gaza war and the misery inflicted on the Palestinians have made it impossible for them to overlook the issue. They cannot simply leapfrog Gaza to normalise relations with Israel.

    In his first term, Trump hoped the Palestinian issue could be pushed aside to achieve normalisation of relations between Arab states and Israel. This was partially achieved with the Abraham Accords, which saw the UAE and three other Muslim-majority nations normalise relations with Israel.

    Trump no doubt believed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreed to just before his inauguration would stick – he promised as much during the US election campaign.

    But after Israel unilaterally broke the ceasefire in March, vowing to press on with its indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, he’s learned the hard way the Palestinian question cannot easily be solved or brushed under the carpet.

    The Palestinian aspiration for statehood needs to be addressed as an indispensable step towards a lasting peace and regional stability.

    It was telling that Trump did not stop in Israel this week. One former Israeli diplomat says it’s a sign Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his leverage with Trump.

    There’s nothing that Netanyahu has that Trump wants, needs or [that he] can give him, as opposed to, say, the Saudis, the Qataris, [or] the Emiratis.

    More harsh rhetoric for Iran

    Trump also had no new details or initiatives to announce on the Iran nuclear talks, beyond his desire to “make a deal” and his repeat of past threats.

    At least four rounds of talks have been held between Iran and the United States since early April. While both sides are positive about the prospects, the US administration seems divided on the intended outcome.

    The US Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have called for the complete dismantling of Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium as a sure safeguard against the potential weaponisation of the nuclear program.

    Trump himself, however, has been less categorical. Though he has called for the “total dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program, he has also said he’s undecided if Iran should be allowed to continue a civilian enrichment program.

    Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium, albeit under international monitoring, is a red line for the authorities in Tehran – they won’t give this up.

    The gap between Iran and the US appears to have widened this week following Trump’s attack on Iran as the “most destructive force” in the Middle East. The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi called Trump’s remarks “pure deception”, and pointed to US support for Israel as the source of instability in the region.

    None of this has advanced the prospects of a nuclear deal. And though his visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE was marked by pomp and ceremony, he’ll leave no closer to solving two protracted challenges than when he arrived.

    Shahram Akbarzadeh receives funding from Australian Research Council. He is affiliated with the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, a non-profit research centre in Doha, Qatar.

    ref. Trump signed plenty of contracts in the Middle East, but he’s no closer to the two ‘deals’ he really wants – https://theconversation.com/trump-signed-plenty-of-contracts-in-the-middle-east-but-hes-no-closer-to-the-two-deals-he-really-wants-256778

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • Trump secures $243.5 billion in economic deals during Qatar visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    US President Donald J. Trump signed a landmark agreement with Qatar on Wednesday to generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion, highlighting his second stop in a high-profile Middle East tour. During the visit, Trump announced economic deals totaling more than $243.5 billion between the United States and Qatar, including a historic sale of Boeing aircraft and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways.

    The centerpiece of these agreements is Qatar Airways’ purchase of 160 Boeing jets worth $200 billion, signed in Doha in the presence of Trump and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Boeing and GE Aerospace secured a landmark order from Qatar Airways, including a $96 billion agreement to acquire up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines. This represents Boeing’s largest-ever widebody order and largest-ever 787 order, supporting an estimated 154,000 U.S. jobs annually, amounting to over one million jobs during the production and delivery period.

    The agreements extend beyond aviation into energy, defense, and technology sectors. McDermott continues its strong partnership with Qatar Energy, currently managing seven active projects worth $8.5 billion as the sole provider of offshore components for Qatar’s major LNG expansion. Engineering firm Parsons has secured 30 projects worth up to $97 billion, while Quantinuum has finalized a joint venture agreement with Al Rabban Capital that will see Qatar invest up to $1 billion in quantum technologies.

    Significant defense deals were also announced during the visit. Raytheon secured a $1 billion agreement for Qatar’s acquisition of counter-drone capabilities, establishing Qatar as the first international customer for Raytheon’s Fixed Site – Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System. General Atomics secured a nearly $2 billion agreement for Qatar’s acquisition of the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft system. Additionally, the United States and Qatar signed a statement of intent outlining over $38 billion in potential investments, including support for Al Udeid Air Base and future defense capabilities.

    Qatar, which holds the world’s third-largest proven reserves of natural gas, has already made substantial investments in American energy infrastructure. Since 2019, QatarEnergy has invested $18 billion in the U.S. energy sector, including ExxonMobil’s Golden Pass LNG Terminal ($10 billion) and Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Golden Triangle Polymers Plant ($8 billion), both located on the Texas Gulf Coast.

    The United States maintained a $2 billion trade surplus with Qatar in 2024, continuing a positive trade balance that has existed since 2003. Last year, U.S.-Qatar trade totaled $5.64 billion, with $3.8 billion in U.S. exports and $1.8 billion in Qatari imports. Qatar’s greenfield investment in the United States totaled $3.3 billion in 2023, focused on hotels and tourism, information technology, advanced manufacturing, financial services, and oil and gas.

    This visit’s agreements build on the $600 billion investment commitment Trump secured in Saudi Arabia during the first leg of his Gulf tour, furthering his administration’s efforts to revitalize American manufacturing and create high-paying jobs across the nation.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: OPEC leaves global oil demand forecasts unchanged for 2025-2026

    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

    VIENNA, May 15 (Xinhua) — The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Wednesday left its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2025-2026 unchanged.

    In its monthly oil market report, OPEC forecasts demand growth of 1.3 million barrels per day in 2025 and about the same in 2026.

    “Total global oil demand is expected to average 105 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, supported by strong air travel demand and healthy road transport levels, as well as robust industrial, construction and agricultural activity in non-OECD countries,” OPEC said. Its analysts believe that increased capacity and profitability of the petrochemical industry in non-OECD countries will help boost oil demand. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI China: Boeing, Qatar Airways announce order for up to 210 widebody airplanes

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

    Qatar Airways and Boeing on Wednesday announced the carrier will purchase up to 210 widebody jets, which sets new records as the largest widebody order for Boeing.

    The order includes 130 787 Dreamliners, 30 777-9s, and options for an additional 50 787 and 777X airplanes.

    “We are happy to announce our agreement with Boeing and our partnership in the largest aircraft order in our history,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer.

    “We are deeply honored that Qatar Airways has placed this record-breaking order with Boeing, one that solidifies their future fleet with our market-leading widebody airplane family at its center,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Leads Members of NJ Congressional Delegation in Letter to Senate and House Appropriations Leaders Urging Emergency Funding to Strengthen FAA Air Traffic Control Infrastructure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    NEWARK, N.J. – This afternoon, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation in sending a letter to Senate and House Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members. The letter is signed by eight members of the state’s Congressional delegation and urges an immediate surge of at least $2 billion in emergency federal appropriations to address the ongoing situation at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and telecommunications failures at other airports across the country.

    The legislators wrote: “We write to request emergency supplemental funding for key programs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that will address the technology and equipment failures that are causing ongoing disruptions to the National Airspace System (NAS).  

    “Specifically, we ask for emergency supplemental funding for the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) through the Operations and Facilities and Equipment (F&E) accounts. F&E supports upgrades of our air traffic control system infrastructure including the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities. As you know, the Philadelphia TRACON facility’s faltering technology and outdated equipment has been the cause of a major and protracted disruption to the airspace primarily utilized by aircraft departing from and arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).”

    The legislators conclude: “Across our country, dozens more TRACON facilities rely on the same outdated technology and equipment and the installation of fiber wires, upgraded facilities, and modern telecommunications equipment will ensure that the chaos and disruptions ongoing in Newark do not soon occur in other regions of the nation as well.  

    “In order to resume operations at EWR and begin to expeditiously upgrade our nation’s air traffic control infrastructure, we request robust emergency supplemental funding to the FAA’s F&E account. This supplemental funding must include at least $2,000,000,000 dedicated to regions with repeated instances of a complete failure of the telecommunication system between TRACON facilities and approaching aircraft.”

    A full copy of the May 14 letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Chair Collins, Ranking Member Murray, Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, Chair Hyde-Smith, Ranking Member Gillibrand, Chairman Womack, and Ranking Member Clyburn: 

    We write to request emergency supplemental funding for key programs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that will address the technology and equipment failures that are causing ongoing disruptions to the National Airspace System (NAS).  

    Specifically, we ask for emergency supplemental funding for the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) through the Operations and Facilities and Equipment (F&E) accounts. F&E supports upgrades of our air traffic control system infrastructure including the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities. As you know, the Philadelphia TRACON facility’s faltering technology and outdated equipment has been the cause of a major and protracted disruption to the airspace primarily utilized by aircraft departing from and arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). 

    A complete shutdown of communications between air traffic controllers at the Philadelphia TRACON facility and approaching aircraft on April 28, 2025, and on two subsequent occasions, brought the operations at EWR to a halt. EWR operates within the busiest airspace in the nation and a ground stoppage immediately causes a ripple effect throughout the entire NAS. The ongoing weeks of delays, cancellations, and the significant reductions in flight capacity at EWR is disrupting the lives of our constituents, spreading uncertainty among the traveling public, and negatively impacting the operations of our entire interconnected national aviation system.    

    It is unacceptable that our air traffic control facilities—which rely on technology and equipment such as floppy disks and copper wire—are vulnerable to a region-wide blackout. In Newark, the initial disruption resulted in 90 seconds of zero communication or radar visibility between the air traffic controllers and approaching aircraft. The subsequent failures on May 9 and May 11 reinforces that the telecommunications system at the Philadelphia TRACON facility needs to be replaced in order to restore regular operations at EWR as soon as possible. 

    Across our country, dozens more TRACON facilities rely on the same outdated technology and equipment and the installation of fiber wires, upgraded facilities, and modern telecommunications equipment will ensure that the chaos and disruptions ongoing in Newark do not soon occur in other regions of the nation as well.  

    In order to resume operations at EWR and begin to expeditiously upgrade our nation’s air traffic control infrastructure, we request robust emergency supplemental funding to the FAA’s F&E account. This supplemental funding must include at least $2,000,000,000 dedicated to regions with repeated instances of a complete failure of the telecommunication system between TRACON facilities and approaching aircraft. 

    We appreciate your careful attention to this request. It is critical that Congress act to restore full flight operations in our region while also beginning the work of restoring the American people’s confidence in a safe, effective, and reliable aviation system.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ramirez to Noem: “YOU are not fit to hold the office, and I, again, – to your face – demand your resignation.”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Delia Ramirez – Illinois (3rd District)

    Washington, DC —  Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) demanded Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s resign after confirming her understanding of her constitutional duties and confronting her with her unconstitutional, illegal weaponization of DHS to pursue a campaign of persecution, mass incarceration, and deportation. 

    During her questioning of Secretary Noem, Congresswoman Ramirez slammed Noem for profiling and dehumanizing individuals, betraying the constitutional commitment to due process, undermining court orders, breaking the law, engaging in corruption, and weaponizing the immigration system to violate our civil rights. 

    Video of Ramirez’s remarks here. 

    Remarks as prepared for delivery:

    Do you agree that the Judiciary is a coequal branch of government, and it is your obligation as a member of the Executive Branch to honor decisions made by the highest court of the land? Yes or no.   

    Do you agree that Congress is a coequal branch of government, and it is your obligation as a member of the Executive Branch to honor legislation and appropriations duly authorized by Congress? Yes or no

    Do you agree that Article 1 of the Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse? Yes or no

    Do you believe you have the power to disregard Congressional appropriations and unilaterally repurpose funds that have been duly appropriated by Congress? Yes or no.

    Since you have been Secretary, you have repeatedly disregarded the law. You have illegally impounded funds that Congress appropriated, and your branch of government must implement pursuant to the law. Yet…

    You closed offices established in law, including the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman.

    You cancelled contracts for programs authorized in law, including shelter and services programs, and citizenship and integration grants. 

    You obstructed and roughed up Members of this committee as they conducted Congressional oversight. 

    You redirected funds to terrorize our communities, create taxpayer-funded political propaganda campaigns, and hold sick, disrespectful press conferences in my state, where let me be clear, you are not welcome. 

    You corruptly used emergency authority to avoid procurement to make Trump’s private prison donors richer by directing $45 billion to them for expanded ICE detention centers.

    You defunded work to address real threats to the Homeland, while you pursue the college newspaper editor, labor leaders, and a Harvard scientist who failed to declare frog embryos at the airport. 

    Clearly, we don’t have time for all my questions, so I will be submitting questions to the record that I expect you and the Administration to answer. 

    Here is my final question: When you took your oath did you swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States? Yes or no. 

    See, I find that laughable. You don’t behave like someone who takes that oath seriously. Let me tell you why…

    We don’t live in a dictatorship or a monarchy. Trump’s will is not the guiding doctrine of the nation, and our country is not a playground for his and your twisted authoritarian fantasies. 

    We are a democracy. We defend the Constitution, and we affirm the rule of law. We respect the co-equal branches of government, and we uphold our rights, even when we disagree. The foundation of our nation is based on a core set of constitutional rights, upon which our prosperity, pluralism, and peace depend. 

    You, however, have been leading this work for 110 days. And in that time, you have profiled and dehumanized our neighbors, betrayed our constitutional commitment to due process, undermined the courts, broken the law, engaged in corruption, and weaponized the immigration system to violate our civil rights. As Senator Murphy stated, your department is out of control, and as their leader, YOU are responsible. YOU have betrayed the sacred fundamentals of your oath; YOU are not fit to hold the office, and I, again, – to your face – demand your resignation and place that request on the record. 

    Mr Chairman, I yield back. “

    For the full text of the letter demanding Noem’s resignationCLICK HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dartmouth — UPDATE: Man wanted on Canada-wide arrest warrant has been arrested

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Richard MacInnis, 44, of Nova Scotia, who was wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant was located and safely arrested.

    This morning, Lunenburg County District RCMP received information from the public regarding the whereabouts of Richard MacInnis.

    Investigators searched the area and located him attempting to flee in a wooded area near Northfield Rd. in Lower Northfield. Lunenburg County District RCMP contained the area with the assistance of the Bridgewater Police Service, the RCMP Emergency Response Team, RCMP Air Services, an RCMP remotely piloted aircraft, RCMP Police Dog Services and the Department of Natural Resources Air Services.

    At approximately 12:51 p.m., investigators believed MacInnis could be armed and issued an emergency alert to Lunenburg County residents. Officers at the scene had located and seized a machete believe to have been in his possession.

    Shortly before 2:15 p.m., officers located MacInnis in a shed and safely arrested him.

    Over the past week, Lunenburg District RCMP and RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment have received multiple reports of break and enters that coincided with MacInnis’ whereabouts.

    As officers gather evidence, investigators would like to hear from you if you have any information, including video surveillance footage or if you’ve been the victim of a break-in that hasn’t been reported.

    The investigations are ongoing, and charges are anticipated.

    If you have information, please contact police at 902-490-5020 in HRM or at 902-527-5555 in Lunenburg County. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Africa Road Builders: Angolan President João Lourenco, winner of the Babacar Ndiaye Prize 2025

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    Angolan President João Lourenço has won the 2025 “Africa Road Builders” prize –awarded to African leaders who have invested in infrastructure development. He follows Equatorial Guinea’s Téodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso, who were joint winners in 2024.

    The selection committee for the Babacar Ndiaye Road Builder Super Prize, meeting in Dubai on 25 April, awarded it to Lourenço for the construction of major transport infrastructure in Angola. Projects include the Lobito Corridor, a strategic regional railway line between Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The African Development Fund, the African Development Bank Group’s concessional loans window, provided a grant of $8.14 million towards implementing the project, which will improve regional integration and support trade between the three countries.

    The construction of the new Dr Agostinho Neto international airport, which opened in November 2023, paving 2,000 km of roads, resurfacing a further 2,000 km and building a light metro system in Luanda were the key factors in making their decision, the committee said.

    “We were aware that in recent years, Angola has embarked on a major transformation of its transport infrastructure, with the aim of strengthening its strategic position in southern and central Africa and diversifying its economy. The immediate impacts of these various projects and achievements have been the creation of several services, including the use of new information and communication technologies,” explained the Africa Road Builders selection committee.

    The latest winner of the Babacar Ndiaye prize will receive his award in Abidjan on 28 May, alongside the Annual Meetings 2025 of the African Development Bank Group.

    Sponsored by the African Development Bank Group, the Babacar Ndiaye Africa Road Builders prize is awarded by Acturoutes, a platform that provides information on the road network and infrastructure in Africa, and the organization Media for Infrastructure and Finance in Africa (MIFA), a network of African journalists specializing in road infrastructure.

    The prize was created in honour of Babacar Ndiaye (1936-2017), President of the African Development Bank Group from 1985 – 1995. Each year, the “Africa Road Builders” Selection Committee evaluates ambitious, tangible projects that have a real impact on people’s mobility in Africa.

    Since its launch in 2016, the Babacar Ndiaye Prize has been awarded to the following heads of state: King Mohamed VI (Morocco), Edgar Lungu (Zambia), Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), Ali Bongo Ondimba (Gabon), Macky Sall (Senegal) and Paul Kagamé (Rwanda) as joint winners in 2017, Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Adama Barrow (Gambia), Abdel Fattah-al Sissi (Egypt), Muhammadu Buhari (Nigeria), Samia Suhulu Hassan (Tanzania), Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) and Denis Sassou-Nguesso (Congo), joint winners in 2024.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by Global Affairs Canada on decision of International Civil Aviation Organization Council to hold Russia responsible for downing of Flight MH17

    Source: Government of Canada News

    May 14, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement:

    “Canada welcomes the recent decision of the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council on the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 on July 17, 2014.

    “The council has found that Russia is responsible for the downing of the aircraft and that Russia breached the obligation not to use weapons against a civil aircraft in flight under Article 3 bis of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, commonly known as the Chicago Convention. In the coming weeks, the council will consider what form of reparation is in order.

    “This historic decision—the first one made by the council on the merits of a legal dispute in the ICAO’s history of almost 80 years—follows proceedings initiated in 2022 by Australia and the Netherlands against Russia in response to the tragedy of Flight MH17 being shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, including one Canadian.

    “We commend the council for fulfilling its responsibility to uphold the rule of law in civil aviation and for reaffirming that violations of it will not go unanswered.

    “Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives aboard Flight MH17. Canada continues to support efforts to ensure that justice is served and to reinforce international mechanisms that protect civilian lives.”

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: More jet fuel to be stored near Auckland Airport

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Cabinet has approved regulations that will give fuel companies until 1 November 2026 to increase the jet fuel they hold at or near Auckland Airport to protect New Zealand against unexpected fuel supply disruptions, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says.

    “As an island nation far from the rest of the world it is essential New Zealand has uninterrupted access to air travel,” Mr Jones says.

    “In 2019, an inquiry into the 2017 pipeline rupture recommended fuel companies invest in additional storage at or near the Airport ‘without delay’.

    “Since 2019, fuel companies have allowed jet fuel cover to fall below the inquiry’s recommended resilience target of 10 days’ cover at 80 per cent operations, leaving New Zealand susceptible to the impacts of an unexpected fuel supply disruption.

    “The regulations provide the extra impetus fuel companies need to avoid any further delay for investing in additional fuel storage.

    “The 2017 fuel disruption saw almost 300 flights impacted. As our largest and busiest airport, is it essential we have enough jet fuel storage in place near Auckland Airport to help prevent future impacts to air travel in case of unexpected disruptions,” Mr Jones says.

    “Fuel companies have told me they will invest in a new storage tank near Auckland Airport to meet the new requirement. Cabinet’s decision also updates existing rules to ensure fuel companies give government visibility on the amount of readily available jet fuel held near Auckland Airport.

    “Fuel security is a top priority for this Government. This new rule along with our work to develop a fuel security plan will help keep the New Zealand economy moving and connected to the world,” Mr Jones says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graham Welcomes Qatar Airways’ Investment in Boeing’s South Carolina Workforce

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after Qatar Airways announced the purchase of up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777x aircraft. This is the largest ever order of Boeing 787 jets and will proudly be assembled in Charleston, South Carolina.
    “This is great news for South Carolina and Boeing. The operative phrase is ‘largest ever.’ Today’s announcement marks Boeing’s largest ever widebody order, its largest 787 order and Qatar Airways’ largest order ever.
    “Qatar Airways’ purchase will ensure the Charleston plant has work for many years to come and it is a validation of the work product coming from the Charleston Boeing facility. The Boeing workforce in South Carolina has a lot to be proud of – they consistently work hard and provide great airplanes.
    “I appreciate our allies in Qatar for making this investment in Boeing aircraft and I appreciate everything the Trump Administration has done to make this possible. This is truly a gamechanger for Boeing and South Carolina.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Response to Questioning from Klobuchar, FAA Provides Details of Near Miss Episode Involving Flight Headed to Minneapolis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    WASHINGTON— During a Commerce Committee hearing today focused on aviation safety, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar asked the FAA Air Traffic Organization’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Franklin McIntosh, for an explanation of the near-miss incident involving a March 28th Minneapolis bound flight that departed from Reagan National Airport. 
    That day, a passenger flight departing Reagan National Airport for Minneapolis nearly collided with military aircraft flying “about 500 feet below” the commercial passenger jet. Directly following the incident, Klobuchar spoke with a Department of Defense official and was informed there would be an immediate Federal Aviation Administration investigation.
    In response to Klobuchar’s questions at today’s hearing, Mr. McIntosh explained that the incident resulted from a miscommunication of when the military flyover would occur, resulting in an additional aircraft being cleared for take-off instead of being held on the ground. McIntosh said that the FAA has since improved procedures to prevent future incidents.
    A rough transcript of the exchange is available below and a video can be downloaded here. 
    Senator Klobuchar: So we have been rightfully focused on the tragedy, the loss of life with the American Airlines Flight, but has been pointed out by my colleagues so many problems at Newark. And as I go into the summer season, it’s hard to believe that they won’t get worse, and then just across the country. There was one incident, a near miss recently. It was on March 28 between a Delta flight and a military aircraft shortly after the tragedy, actually, where the military flight was just 500 feet below the Delta flight. And the Delta pilot said, is this, I’m paraphrasing, but it was picked up from air traffic control. “Is there actually a flight 500 feet below us?” That flight was headed to Minneapolis, contained a bunch of Minnesotans, families, one of my staff members went on that flight. And I had asked and was, I appreciated that the DOT got back to me, close after it, but I’m still waiting for a final answer about what happened. Do you know? Could any of you give me a timeline on that?
    Mr. McIntosh: Yes, ma’am. I believe, I believe I can. What occurred was the military flight was doing a national flyover over Arlington, and it was opposite direction to departure traffic at DCA. Potomac TRACON, which is the radar approach control that feeds all the aircraft into DCA, was working the military flight, and there was a communication exchange between the supervisor at Potomac and the supervisor at DCA. And what I mean is, the Potomac supervisor coordinated with DCA to stop departures at a certain time, and that that stop time is, you stop departures and let the flyover proceed. You sterilize the airspace, essentially, to keep traffic safe. The controller or the CIC that was a DCA misunderstood the time, or misunderstood the verbiage on what that stop time was, so they let one more aircraft go, versus holding an aircraft on the ground. In reviewing that, we said we have to clean up the phraseology and how we give times to ensure that we know exactly which aircraft we’re going to stop and keep that kind of incident from occurring. So what we did, we put both of those facilities together, along with the management team to ensure that we had a better process in place to keep that from happening again. So that was, unfortunately, an event that happened, but we improved the procedures to keep something like that from happening again, Ma’am.
     

    MIL OSI USA News