An event highlighting the vast network of organisations who are dedicated to the needs of the most vulnerable residents in the borough of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, was held recently at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre.
Over one hundred people from schools, businesses and organisations attended the ‘Beyond Crisis’ community support networking event, to share good practice across a wide range of services and show the excellent support that is available to those who need it most.
The event – themed ‘food and beyond’ – saw information presented on food insecurity, social supermarkets, suicide prevention, schools’ pastoral work, advice, debt management, social housing and more.It was a fantastic opportunity to show the extensive support that is in place to help those residents who find themselves in a difficult position – and that organisations working together is the way forward to achieve positive outcomes and solutions.
“We are committed to supporting and developing the ‘food and beyond’ support structure and establishing and delivering a range of initiatives aimed at helping those residents who are most in need,” commented the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Sarah Duffy.
“Life can be challenging, especially with the ongoing cost of living crisis, so it is important that our residents know that help is available and where they can find it. We are so fortunate in our borough to have dedicated and skilled people who have formed a support network meaning we can confidently keep moving forward and beyond each crisis.”
The organisations taking part thoroughly enjoyed the day and new connections were made, ensuring that support continues to build and be available for those who need it.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Sarah Duffy at the PCSP stand with Annette Blaney
Lord Mayor, Councillor Sarah Duffy at the CYPSP stand with CYPSP Valerie Maxwell, Southern Health Trust Jessica Wiley, CYPSP Darren Curtis, Southern Health Trust Yvonne Neill and Southern Health Trust Bronwyn Campbell
Lord Mayor, Councillor Sarah Duffy pictured with Mark Ingham (NIHE)
Lord Mayor, Councillor Sarah Duffy at the PIPS stand with Lisa Daly and Siobhán Brennan
Lord Mayor, Cllr Sarah Duffy at the ABC Environmental Services with Dominic Marsden
Lord Mayor, Cllr Sarah Duffy at the SHSCT stand with Noel Harte and Agnieszka Judkiewicz-Kozak
Lord Mayor, Cllr Sarah Duffy with Samantha McCartney and Jordan Wilson from Café IncreABLE
Lord Mayor, Cllr Sarah Duffy with Via Wings Gail Redmond BEM and Marieanne Verhoeven – Taylor
Lord Mayor, Cllr Sarah Duffy, Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Kyle Savage and CD Team members Ruth Allen, Allison Reilly, Boyd McClurg, Catherine Harris, Kelly Mallon, Nicola Mahood, and Department for Communities James Elliott.
Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Kyle Savage, Boyd McClurg, Nikki Cinnamond and Jennifer Fearon (Community Advice), Martin Stevenson (The Salvation Army) and Bernadette McNeice (St Vincent de Paul)
Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Kyle Savage with CD Team members Boyd McClurg, Kelly Mallon, Allison Reilly and Catherine Harris
Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Kyle Savage with Noella Murray and Susan Murphy from St John the Baptist College
NINR- Catherine Taylor, George Gillespie, Helen Tomb
Craigavon Area Food Bank Emma Beggs and Andrew Maguire, and Trusell – Denise Callaghan
Staff from Lurgan Junior High School, Cloughan Junior High School and Lurgan College
Community Advice ABC , Nikki Cinnamond (Chair of the Board), Lenard Breen, Jennifer Fearon, Donna Morris and Caroline Caesar.
Three days after he was released from prison in December, a Tibetan village leader named Gonpo Namgyal died. As his body was being prepared for traditional Tibetan funeral rites, marks were found indicating he had been brutally tortured in jail.
Gonpo Namgyal is the victim of a slow-moving conflict that has dragged on for nearly 75 years, since China invaded Tibet in the mid-20th century. Language has been central to that conflict.
Tibetans have worked to protect the Tibetan language and resisted efforts to enforce Mandarin Chinese. Yet, Tibetan children are losing their language through enrolment in state boarding schools where they are being educated nearly exclusively in Mandarin Chinese. Tibetan is typically only taught a few times a week – not enough to sustain the language.
My research, published in a new book in 2024, provides unique insights into the struggle of other minority languages in Tibet that receive far less attention.
My research shows that language politics in Tibet are surprisingly complex and driven by subtle violence, perpetuated not only by Chinese authorities but also other Tibetans. I’ve also found that outsiders’ efforts to help are failing the minority languages at the highest risk of extinction.
Tibetan culture under attack
I lived in Ziling, the largest city on the Tibetan Plateau, from 2005 to 2013, teaching in a university, studying Tibetan and supporting local non-government organisations.
Most of my research since then has focused on language politics in the Rebgong valley on the northeast Tibetan Plateau. From 2014 to 2018, I interviewed dozens of people, spoke informally with many others, and conducted hundreds of household surveys about language use.
I also collected and analysed Tibetan language texts, including government policies, online essays, social media posts and even pop song lyrics.
When I was in Ziling, Tibetans launched a massive protest movement against Chinese rule just before the Beijing Olympics in 2008. These protests led to harsh government crackdowns, including mass arrests, increased surveillance, and restrictions on freedom of movement and expressions of Tibetan identity. This was largely focused on language and religion.
Years of unrest ensued, marked by more demonstrations and individual acts of sacrifice. Since 2009, more than 150 Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest Chinese rule.
Not just Tibetan under threat
Tibet is a linguistically diverse place. In addition to Tibetan, about 60 other languages are spoken in the region. About 4% of Tibetans (around 250,000 people) speak a minority language.
Government policy forces all Tibetans to learn and use Mandarin Chinese. Those who speak only Tibetan have a harder time finding work and are faced with discrimination and even violence from the dominant Han ethnic group.
Meanwhile, support for Tibetan language education has slowly been whittled away: the government even recently banned students from having private Tibetan lessons or tutors on their school holidays.
Linguistic minorities in Tibet all need to learn and use Mandarin. But many also need to learn Tibetan to communicate with other Tibetans: classmates, teachers, doctors, bureaucrats or bosses.
In Rebgong, where I did my research, the locals speak a language they call Manegacha. Increasingly, this language is being replaced by Tibetan: about a third of all families that speak Manegacha are now teaching Tibetan to their children (who also must learn Mandarin).
The government refuses to provide any opportunities to use and learn minority languages like Manegacha. It also tolerates constant discrimination and violence against Manegacha speakers by other Tibetans.
How do Manegacha communities resist and navigate language oppression?
Why does this matter?
Tibetan resistance to Chinese rule dates back to the People’s Liberation Army invasion in the early 1950s.
When the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, that resistance movement went global. Governments around the world have continued to support Tibetan self-determination and combat Chinese misinformation about Tibet, such as the US Congress passage of the Resolve Tibet Act in 2024.
Outside efforts to support the Tibetan struggle, however, are failing some of the most vulnerable people: those who speak minority languages.
Manegacha speakers want to maintain their language. They resist the pressure to assimilate whenever they speak Manegacha to each other, post memes online in Manegacha or push back against the discrimination they face from other Tibetans.
However, if Tibetans stop speaking Manegacha and other minority languages, this will contribute to the Chinese government’s efforts to erase Tibetan identity and culture.
Even if the Tibetan language somehow survives in China, the loss of even one of Tibet’s minority languages would be a victory for the Communist Party in the conflict it started 75 years ago.
Gerald Roche has received funding for this research from the Australian Research Council. He is also affiliated with the Linguistic Justice Foundation.
New functionality adds additional protection against cyber threats and supports compliance with evolving security standards for sensitive data transfers
BURLINGTON, Mass., March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS), the trusted provider of AI-powered digital experience and infrastructure software, today announced the addition of Web Application Firewall (WAF) functionality to Progress® MOVEit® Cloud managed file transfer (MFT) solution. This new feature strengthens security for sensitive data by blocking malicious web traffic before it can infiltrate systems, empowering organizations to meet Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) 4.0 requirements and harden the security of their file transfers.
With PCI DSS 4.0 mandating that organizations deploy a WAF in front of public-facing applications by March 31, 2025, the new WAF functionality in MOVEit Cloud WAF delivers a critical layer of protection for businesses managing sensitive data and mission-critical file transfers.
“The addition of a Web Application Firewall in MOVEit Cloud underscores our commitment to helping businesses protect sensitive data and maintain compliance in today’s evolving threat landscape,” said Loren Jarrett, EVP & GM of Digital Experience at Progress. “By layering WAF technology into MOVEit Cloud, we help our customers guard against cyber threats, meet regulatory demands and achieve peace of mind knowing their managed file transfers are scalable and hardened against cyber threats.”
Key Features and Benefits of WAF Functionality in the MOVEit Cloud Solution:
Enhanced Security and Defense: The WAF functionality in MOVEit Cloud WAF functionality automatically monitors and filters HTTPS traffic, mitigating risks from injection attacks, unauthorized file access and other malicious activities. It is built using OWASP-based industry standards to help protect against the OWASP Top 10 threats and is supported by Progress’ ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, upholding industry-leading security practices.
Compliance with Latest Standards: MOVEit Cloud is continuously updated to align with the most recent compliance standards for a proactive response to regulatory changes. With this release, MOVEit Cloud software is certified to meet PCI DSS 4.0 in addition to HIPAA, HITECH and HIPAA Omnibus standards.
Streamlined Administration: MOVEit Cloud customers save valuable hours with Progress experts managing all WAF updates, testing and scaling to meet organizational needs. Its multi-node scaling supports rapid deployment and effortlessly manages spikes in demand. Additionally, MOVEit Cloud provides 24/7 monitoring, active alerts and support from Progress security specialists.
As cybercriminals evolve their tactics, IT leaders face mounting challenges in securing data transfers between external and internal systems. MOVEit Cloud now provides a proactive solution to help protect sensitive information, ease compliance efforts and centralize file transfers while simplifying management of the file transfer infrastructure.
About Progress Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS) empowers organizations to achieve transformational success in the face of disruptive change. Our software enables our customers to develop, deploy and manage responsible AI-powered applications and digital experiences with agility and ease. Customers get a trusted provider in Progress, with the products, expertise and vision they need to succeed. Over 4 million developers and technologists at hundreds of thousands of enterprises depend on Progress. Learn more at www.progress.com.
Progress and MOVEit are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Press Contacts: Kim Baker Progress +1-800-477-6473 pr@progress.com
Source: The White House
Meet the special people who will join the First Lady and President Trump at the U.S. Capitol when President Trump delivers his address to a joint session of Congress.
These men, women, and families come from all different walks of life with incredible stories about the disaster wrought by the previous administration, and the historic achievements President Trump has already enacted to usher in the Golden Age of America.
Elliston Berry from Aledo, TX: Elliston is a 15-year-old who was the victim of computer-generated deepfakes created by a bully at her school intended to humiliate and degrade Elliston and her friends.
The Comperatore Family from Sarver, PA: Helen, Allyson, and Kaylee are the widow and daughters of Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who was killed by the gunman who also shot President Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024.
Jeff Denard from Decatur, AL: Jeff has spent nearly three decades working at a steel plant owned by Nucor Steel. His good paying, middle class job at the steel plant has allowed Jeff to serve as volunteer firefighter, provide a loving home to dozens of foster children, and organize his fellow steelworkers to respond to natural disasters, including Hurricane Helene.
Stephanie Diller from Long Island, NY: Stephanie is the widow of Jonathan Diller, an NYPD officer who was murdered at a traffic stop in Queens in March 2024 by a repeat criminal who was allowed to roam the streets.
Haley Ferguson from Spring Hill, TN: Haley is a former foster child, a senior at Middle Tennessee State University majoring in Elementary Education, and a Fostering the Future scholarship recipient, which was launched by the First Lady’s organization, Be Best.
Marc and Malphine Fogel from Butler, PA: Marc is an American history teacher who was held hostage by the Russian government and wrongfully sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison. On February 12th, President Trump fulfilled his promise to Malphine, Marc’s 95-year-old mother, that he would bring Marc home.
January Littlejohn from Tallahassee, FL: January is a mother and parents’ rights advocate who sued the School Board of Leon County after school officials at her daughter’s middle school socially transitioned her daughter to a different sexual identity without January and her husband’s knowledge or permission. The school drove a wedge between January’s daughter and her parents, and deceived January about their covert plan to transition her daughter.
Payton McNabb from Murphy, NC: Payton is a former high school athlete who had her dreams of competing in college sports crushed in a September 2022 volleyball match when a biological man playing on the opposing women’s team spiked the volleyball at Payton’s face, leaving her with a traumatic brain injury. Payton joined with the Independent Women’s Forum and has made it her mission to put an end to this brutal unfairness.
Allyson and Lauren Phillips from Woodstock, GA: Allyson and Lauren are the mother and sister of Laken Riley, a young female nursing student who was murdered by an illegal alien during a morning jog. The Biden administration apprehended and released Laken’s murderer into the country under its reckless open border policies. The very first bill President Trump signed into law this year was named in Laken’s honor.
Alexis Nungaray from Houston, TX: Alexis is an angel mom and the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl who was murdered by two illegal aliens during a walk to a corner store. The Biden administration apprehended and released these vicious illegal aliens into the country just weeks before Jocelyn’s murder.
Roberto Ortiz from Weslaco, TX: Roberto has served with U.S. Border Patrol for nearly a decade, and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and California State Guard. He has been shot at repeatedly by cartel members while performing his duties near the Rio Grande River in Texas.
Photo taken on April 4, 2018 shows the entrance to China’s Ministry of Commerce in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]
China decided on Tuesday to add 10 U.S. firms, including TCOM, Limited Partnership, to the country’s unreliable entity list and take corresponding measures against them.
From Tuesday onward, China will prohibit these companies from engaging in import and export activities related to China, and these companies will also be banned from making new investments within the country, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce.
The 10 U.S. firms are TCOM, Limited Partnership, Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., S3 AeroDefense, Cubic Corporation, TextOre, ACT1 Federal, Exovera and Planate Management Group.
The decision was made to maintain China’s national sovereignty, security and development interests and in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the statement noted.
Disregarding strong objections from China, these 10 companies have in recent years either participated in arms sales to Taiwan or engaged in so-called military technology cooperation with Taiwan, a spokesperson for the ministry said.
In response, China decided to hold these entities accountable in accordance with various laws and regulations, the spokesperson added.
China has always prudently handled the issue of its unreliable entity list, targeting only a small number of foreign entities that pose risks to China’s national security, the spokesperson said, adding that law-abiding foreign entities that operate in good faith need not be concerned.
The Chinese government will, as always, welcome companies from all countries to invest and operate in China, and is committed to providing a stable, fair and predictable business environment for foreign enterprises operating in China in accordance with laws and regulations, the spokesperson said.
PETAH TIKVA, Israel, March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT), a global leader in satellite networking technology, solutions, and services and Waveform Architecture for Virtualized Ecosystems (WAVE) Consortium are proud to announce the appointment of Dubi Lever, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Gilat Satellite Networks, as the new Chair of the WAVE Board. Lever, who brings over 27 years of experience at Gilat, steps into this role with a clear vision for advancing the WAVE mission: transforming the satellite communications (SATCOM) industry through open, interoperable, and virtualized networks.
Formed under the auspices of IEEE-ISTO, WAVE comprises leading companies, government agencies, and research institutions working together to establish standardized architectures and specifications for waveform virtualization. WAVE’s foundational goal is to ensure that next-generation SATCOM networks can take advantage of commodity hardware and novel software approaches, achieving greater agility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. As the WAVE Board Chair, Lever will lead strategic initiatives to strengthen cross-industry collaboration, streamline technology adoption, and accelerate the consortium’s efforts to create innovative solutions that serve both commercial and defense markets.
“We are excited to have Dubi Lever’s passion and success help drive WAVE forward,” said Dr. Juan Deaton, Executive Director of the WAVE Consortium. “Dubi’s proven leadership in SATCOM technologies and track record of innovation at Gilat will be instrumental. We look forward to working together as WAVE moves into future success.”
“The hardware abstraction layer marks the next step in actualizing WAVE’s mission,” said Dubi Lever, Chief Technology Officer at Gilat. “By allowing multiple waveforms to be deployed seamlessly on common hardware, we bring new flexibility and readiness to commercial and defense customers who demand greater efficiency and faster adaptability. This project directly aligns with our longstanding vision at Gilat, where open standards and reprogrammable solutions are key to driving better performance at lower costs.”
About WAVE
Waveform Architecture for Virtualized Ecosystems (WAVE), created under the auspices of IEEE-ISTO, envisions a future where SATCOM networks are built on agile, scalable, and cost-effective commodity platforms, facilitating rapid innovation and more competitive offerings. The consortium includes prominent players in commercial and government sectors, working together to define and implement an interoperable environment for next-generation waveform virtualization. For membership details and more information, visit waveconsortium.org.
About Gilat
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT) is a leading global provider of satellite-based broadband communications. With over 35 years of experience, we develop and deliver deep technology solutions for satellite, ground, and new space connectivity, offering next-generation solutions and services for critical connectivity across commercial and defense applications. We believe in the right of all people to be connected and are united in our resolution to provide communication solutions to all reaches of the world.
Together with our wholly-owned subsidiaries—Gilat Wavestream, Gilat DataPath, and Gilat Stellar Blu—we offer integrated, high-value solutions supporting multi-orbit constellations, Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS), and Software-Defined Satellites (SDS) via our Commercial and Defense Divisions. Our comprehensive portfolio is comprised of a cloud-based platform and modems; high-performance satellite terminals; advanced Satellite On-the-Move (SOTM) antennas and ESAs; highly efficient, high-power Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPA) and Block Upconverters (BUC) and includes integrated ground systems for commercial and defense markets, field services, network management software, and cybersecurity services.
Gilat’s products and tailored solutions support multiple applications including government and defense, IFC and mobility, broadband access, cellular backhaul, enterprise, aerospace, broadcast, and critical infrastructure clients all while meeting the most stringent service level requirements. For more information, please visit: http://www.gilat.com
Certain statements made herein that are not historical are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Gilat to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, inability to maintain market acceptance to Gilat’s products, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, rapid changes in the market for Gilat’s products, loss of market share and pressure on prices resulting from competition, introduction of competing products by other companies, inability to manage growth and expansion, loss of key OEM partners, inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, inability to protect Gilat’s proprietary technology and risks associated with Gilat’s international operations and its location in Israel, including those related to the war and hostilities between Israel and Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and Yemen and the instability in the middle east; and other factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Gilat’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Gilat undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
Applications for the International Patriotic Competition “Family History. Immortal Memory” are accepted from February 2 to May 9, 2025. The initiative for holding the competition belongs to the State University of Management.
The competition is a non-commercial cultural project aimed at patriotic, spiritual and moral education of the younger generation. 237 universities subordinate to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, as well as educational organizations of the Republic of Belarus, are invited to participate. At the moment, 50 applications have already been accepted.
The competition is held in two nominations: “Literature” and “Video”. The “Literature” nomination requires the preparation of an essay, story, novella, essay or other literary work, the content of which reflects the family history of the Great Patriotic War. In the “Video” nomination, you will need to create a work lasting from 3 to 7 minutes, the content of which reflects the family history of the Great Patriotic War.
Students aged 18 to 25, student associations (consisting of no more than five people in the previously indicated age category), young university teachers aged 18 to 35, as well as teachers aged 35 and older may take part in the Competition.
Applications and competition works are accepted from February 2 to May 9, 2025. Link to fill out the application: https://forms.yandex.ru/u/679e148bf47e73581080ad9a/
From May 10 to May 31, the jury of the Competition will review the submitted applications to determine the winners – there are only 6 winners in each category, 3 in each nomination. The results will be announced by June 10, 2025.
The awarding of the winners of the Competition will take place at a ceremonial event on June 24, 2025, where the official closing of the Competition will take place, a video meeting with universities of the new subjects of the Russian Federation with the participation of veterans of the Great Patriotic War and the special military operation, as well as the holding of the Immortal Regiment action.
The competition was organized by the State University of Management and the Moscow City Branch of the Russian Military Historical Society with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation under the auspices of the activities of the Association of Student Patriotic Clubs “I am proud”.
Link to the Competition Regulations: https://disk.yandex.ru/i/BU4SbW9bKGVdvw
Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 03/04/2025
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Headline: Thales reports its 2024 full-year results
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Order intake: €25.3 billion, up 9% (+6% on an organic basis1)
Sales: €20.6 billion, up 11.7% (+8.3% on an organic basis)
Adjusted EBIT2: €2,419 million, up 13.4% (+5.7% on an organic basis)
Adjusted net income, Group share2: €1,900 million, up 7%
Consolidated net income, Group share: €1,420 million, up sharply by 39%
Free operating cash flow from continuing operations2,3: €2,142 million, up 9%
Free operating cash flow2: €2,027 million, stable against 2023
Dividend4of €3.70 per share, representing 40% of Adjusted net income, Group share
Non-financial performance: steady progress towards medium to long-term targets
2025 objectives:
Book-to-bill5above 1
Organic sales growth of between +5% and +6%, corresponding to sales between €21.7 billion and €21.9 billion
Adjusted EBIT margin between 12.2% and 12.4%
Thales’s Board of Directors (Euronext Paris: HO) met on March 3, 2025 to review the 2024 financial statements6.
“2024 was once again a year of strong profitable growth for Thales. Thales, a world leader in advanced technologies in Defence, Aerospace, Cybersecurity and Digital, maintained excellent sales momentum throughout the year, achieving a record order intake of more than €25 billion. The record order book provides unprecedented visibility for all our activities. Sales exceeded the €20 billion mark with organic growth of 8.3%, above expectations. Defence activities, underpinned by an ongoing increase in the Group’s production capacity, the technological excellence of our products and the commitment from all our colleagues, contributed in particular to this performance. Thales also demonstrated once again its ability to generate profitable growth, with an increase in EBIT in absolute terms and as a percentage, reflecting the strength of its operating leverage. Thanks to its unique business model based on world-class products, systems and services, Thales generated free operating cash flow of more than €2 billion. Non-financial performance was also remarkable in 2024. The validity of our CSR strategy was acknowledged as Thales joined the CAC 40 ESG index in 2024. This historic performance is the result of the unfailing commitment of our 83,000 employees, and I would like to thank them sincerely for their dedication to our clients. We are starting 2025 with confidence and determination and a positive outlook for the vast majority of our activities. Thales presented its new strategic roadmap in November 2024. By drawing on its unique leadership positions serving growing markets and its ability to innovate and anticipate technological breakthroughs, the Group affirms its ambition to deliver accelerated, profitable and sustainable growth over the coming years, starting in 2025.” Patrice Caine, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Key figures
Order intake for the 2024 financial year increased by 9% compared with 2023 at €25,289 million and by +6% on an organic basis (i.e. at constant scope and exchange rates). Commercial performance was once again supported by strong demand in the Defence segment and by continued sustained momentum in the Aerospace segment. As at 31 December 2024, the consolidated order book amounted to nearly €51 billion, a record level, up by nearly €5.4 billion compared with the end of 2023.
Sales totaled €20,577 million, up 11.7% from 2023 (+8.3% in organic growth). This robust growth reflects in particular the solid performance of the Defence business throughout the year.
Adjusted EBIT7 stood at €2,419 million in 2024 (11.8% of sales), compared with €2,132 million (11.6% of sales) in 2023, an increase of 13.4% (+5.7% organic change).
At €1,900 million, Adjusted net income,Group share7 was up +7% compared to 2023.
Consolidated net income, Group share, stood at €1,420 million, up sharply by +39% from 2023. This increase can be explained notably by the recognition in 2023 of a non-current and non-recurring expense linked to the implementation of insurance coverage for the Group’s commitments under the Thales UK Pension Scheme. These commitments were transferred to Rothesay at the end of 2023.
Free operating cash flow from continuing operations7,9 amounted to €2,142 million, compared with €1,968 million in 2023. Including the contribution of discontinued operations, free operating cash flow7 amounted to €2,027 million, compared with €2,026 million in 2023. Calculated on the basis of the scope of continuing operations, the cash conversion ratio of Adjusted net income, Group share, into operating free cash flow was 114%. This once again exceptional performance, which saw the cash conversion ratio exceed 100% for the fifth consecutive year, reflects the excellent momentum of new orders, the phasing effects on cash inflows related to contracts’ execution and the continued Group’s mobilization of its CA$H! plan aimed at optimizing this conversion ratio.
In this context, the Board of Directors decided to propose the payment of a dividend of €3.70 per share, corresponding to a payout ratio of 40% of the Adjusted net income, Group share. An interim dividend of €0.85 per share was paid on December 5, 2024. The balance of €2.85 will be paid on May 22, 2025.
Order intake
Order intake for the 2024 financial year totaled €25,289 million, up 9% from 2023 in total change and up +6% at constant scope and exchange rates11. For the fourth consecutive year, the order intake was more than 20% higher than sales (book-to-bill). Thebook-to-bill ratio was 1.23, flat against 2023, and 1.28 excluding the Cyber & Digital business, where the order intake is structurally very close to sales.
In 2024, Thales signed 35 large orders with a unit value of over €100 million, representing a total of €8,674 million:
Four large orders booked in Q1 2024:
The entry into force of the third phase of the order placed by Indonesia in 2022 for the purchase of 42 Rafale aircraft (18 aircraft and support services);
Phased contract with the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) to develop the next generation of sonars to equip French nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN);
Order of an aerial surveillance system for a military customer in the Middle East;
Second tranche of the contract signed in 2023 between France and Italy for the production of 400 ASTER B1NT ground-to-air missiles.
Eight large orders booked in Q2 2024:
Order for a next generation cloud native “FLYTEDGE” InFlight Entertainment System for a major worldwide airline;
Order by SKY Perfect JSAT to Thales Alenia Space of JSAT-31, a new generation of satellite reconfigurable in orbit using Space INSPIRE technology;
Exomars 2028, a contract signed between industrial prime contractor Thales Alenia Space and the European Space Agency (ESA) to relaunch the European space mission dedicated to the exploration of the Red Planet;
Order of two new F126 frigates by the German Navy. This additional contract brings the number of F126 frigates acquired by the German Navy to six in the past four years;
Order by the Dutch Ministry of Defence of seven additional Ground Master 200 multi-mission compact radars;
Service contract for the maintenance of the Royal Australian Navy fleet;
Order by an Asian customer of latest-generation Ground Master 400 Alpha long-range air surveillance radars;
Order by France’s Joint Munitions Command (SiMu) of tens of thousands of 120mm rifled ammunition.
Seven major orders recorded in Q3 2024:
Notification by the DGA of the second tranche of the development of the future RBE2 XG radar for the Rafale F5;
Order for the supply of anti-submarine warfare systems for the first phase of the construction of six HUNTER-class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy;
Order for the renovation of an air traffic management system;
Order from the UK Ministry of Defence for the supply of Lightweight Multi-role Missiles (LMM) to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities;
Order of LMM for the British armed forces;
Order for the supply of Ground Fire multifunction radar and engagement modules following France’s acquisition of seven SAMP/T NG air defence systems;
Order for the supply of communications, vetronics, navigation and optronics equipment for vehicles in the French Army’s SCORPION program.
Sixteen large orders booked in Q4 2024:
Order for the supply of a satellite for the European Space Agency’s EnVision scientific mission to understand the planet Venus;
Contract amendment signed with OHB System for the payload of the third satellite of the European CO2M mission focused on CO2 emissions generated by human activity;
Amendment to the contract with the European Space Agency for the development of the ESPRIT communications and refueling module for the future lunar space station, Gateway;
Order for the development of the world’s first quantum key distribution (QKD) system from geostationary orbit, in collaboration with Hispasat;
Contract with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to develop the Emirates Airlock Module on board the future lunar space station Gateway;
Entry into force of the contract for the supply of 12 Rafale to Serbia;
Order from Naval Group for the supply of equipment for the submarine delivery contract in the Netherlands;
Order under the AJISS contract to provide In-Service Support to Royal Canadian Navy ships;
Order for the development and production of 430 new-generation MICA-NG interception, combat and self-defence missile seekers;
Order from the UK Ministry of Defence for the development and preparation of large-scale production of STARStreak HVMs (High Velocity Missiles) for the armed forces;
Order from the French Air Navigation Services Directorate (DSNA) aimed at improving the 4-Flight air traffic management system;
Amendment to the CONTACT contract with the DGA providing the armed forces with a range of software-defined radios designed for collaborative combat;
Order from the UK Ministry of Defence to ensure the permanence and maneuverability of the Royal Navy’s operational communications;
Order from the DGA as part of the SYRACUSE IV program to equip the French army’s SCORPION vehicles with Thales’ secure satellite communications solution;
Order from the DGA for the design, delivery and maintenance of a resilient communication system;
Order from the DGA to produce an encryption key management and distribution system and key injector for the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
With a total amount of €16,615 million, order intake with a unit value of less than €100 million continued to record favorable momentum.
Geographically12, order intake in mature markets amounted to €19,010 million, very close to that recorded in 2023, which though included the £1.8 billion MSET contract in the United Kingdom. Sales momentum elsewhere was also solid, particularly in the rest of Europe (up by 16% on an organic basis) and in Australia and New Zealand (up by 13% on an organic basis). Order intake in emerging markets was up sharply in 2024, amounting to €6,279 million (+39% at constant scope and exchange rates) thanks to continued strong momentum in the Near and Middle East (with an organic increase of 80%).
Order intake in the Aerospace segment totaled €6,434 million compared to €5,606 million in 2023 (+14% at constant scope and exchange rates). This solid growth reflects several trends.
The different segments of the Avionics market continued to record sustained demand in 2024;
The Space business posted sustained growth in order intake, including five orders with a unit value of more than €100 million recorded in the fourth quarter, four of which in OEN (Observation, Exploration & Science and Navigation) activities.
At December 31, 2024, the segment’s order book stood at €10.5 billion, up 13% from 2023.
At €14,723 million compared to €13,944 million in 2023, order intake in the Defence segment set a new record (+5% at constant scope and exchange rates). The book-to-bill ratio was 1.34, above 1.2 for the sixth consecutive year. This high level is explained by continued strong demand in all activities, with twenty-seven contracts with a unit value of more than €100 million recorded in 2024. The segment’s order book reached a new record at €39.2 billion (up 12%), corresponding to 3.6 years of sales, offering strong visibility for the years ahead.
At 4,032 million, order intake in the Cyber & Digital segment was structurally very close to sales as most business lines in this segment operate on short sales cycles. The order book is therefore not significant.
Sales
Note: full-year 2023 figures have been restated to reflect the transfer of cyber civil activities from the Defence segment to the Cyber & Digital segment.
Sales for the 2024 financial year totaled €20,577 million, compared to €18,428 million in 2023, up 11.7% in total change and 8.3% in organic terms (at constant scope and exchange rates14), driven in particular by the robust performance of the Defence segment.
Geographically15, sales recorded solid growth in both mature markets (+7.9% in organic terms) and emerging markets (+9.6% in organic terms), driven by double-digit growth in Asia.
Sales in the Aerospace segment totaled €5,471 million, up 4.8% from 2023 (+2.9% at constant scope and exchange rates). Momentum in this segment reflects contrasting trends:
The Avionics business posted mid-single digit organic growth in 2024, notably driven by strong momentum in both original equipment activities and aftermarket services, with a return to pre-Covid levels in air traffic. However, as expected, the fourth quarter was impacted by delays in aircraft deliveries to airlines, which postponed in-flight entertainment (IFE) sales;
As expected, sales were almost flat in the Space business. The telecommunications segment continued to be impacted by structurally lower demand in the geostationary satellite market. Conversely, trends remain positive for OEN activities.
Sales in the Defence segment totaled €10,969 million, up 13.9% from 2023 (+13.3% at constant scope and exchange rates). This strong growth came against a backdrop of steady growth in the Group’s production capacity, enabling it to meet high demand in all product lines. Growth was notably driven by land and air systems, such as tactical vehicles and systems or surface radars. The fourth quarter of 2024 also benefited from favorable cut-off effects.
At €4,024 million, sales in the Cyber & Digital segment increased by 1.4% at constant scope and exchange rates (and +14.8% in total change including the positive scope effect of the acquisitions of Imperva and Tesserent). This moderate organic sales growth reflects different trends depending on the activities:
Strong momentum continued for cyber businesses, including a strong performance from Imperva;
Against a high comparison basis in 2023, payment services sales were impacted by destocking by our customers in North America;
Lastly, the digitalization of secure connectivity solutions maintained its strong growth. Sales generated in fully digital connectivity solutions (including eSIMs and on-demand connectivity platforms) recorded double-digit organic growth and accounted for more than half of sales of this secure connectivity solutions business in 2024.
Results
For 2024, the Group posted Adjusted EBIT16 of €2,419 million, or 11.8% of sales, compared to €2,132 million (11.6% of sales) in 2023.
The Aerospace segment recorded Adjusted EBIT of €391 million (7.2% of sales), compared with €369 million (7.1% of sales) in 2023. The segment’s Adjusted EBIT margin is driven by the Avionics business, which posted a double-digit margin and improving, including the contribution of Cobham AeroComms. However, Space activities weighed on the segment’s margin, recording as expected a negative Adjusted EBIT margin in 2024 resulting from several factors: an expected increase in R&D spending, restructuring costs linked to the adaptation plan announced in March 2024 and the impact of inflation not reflected on past contracts.
Adjusted EBIT for the Defence segment amounted to €1,432 million, compared with €1,270 million in 2023 (an increase of +13.0% at constant scope and exchange rates). The margin for this segment was stable at 13.1%, compared to 13.2% in 2023.
At €585 million (14.5% of sales), Adjusted EBIT in the Cyber & Digital segment recorded solid growth in both value and margin. The improvement in profitability was notably due to the successful integration of Imperva and the robust margin on payment services and secure connectivity solutions for mobile networks in highly competitive markets.
Naval Group’s contribution to the Group’s Adjusted EBIT amounted to €93 million in 2024, compared with €91 million in 2023.
At -€166 million, compared with €2 million in 2023, net financial interest increased sharply, as expected. This increase was mainly linked to the substantial rise in debt following the acquisitions made in 2023. Other adjusted financial income16 stood at €35 million in 2024 versus -€37 million in 2023, reflecting the exceptional positive impact of dividends on non-consolidated affiliates and foreign exchange gains. The adjusted financial expense on pensions and other long-term employee benefits16 improved significantly (-€49 million compared with -€76 million in 2023), reflecting the removal of the interest expense following the transfer of UK pension obligations in December 2023.
At €21 million, compared with €105 million in 2023, the Adjusted net income, Group share, from discontinued operations16 was in line with trends in the Transport business, which was sold on May 31, 2024.
As a result, Adjusted net income, Group share16 was €1,900 million, compared to €1,768 million in 2023, after an adjusted income tax charge16 of -€427 million, compared to -€370 million in 2023. At 20.4% in 2024 compared to 20.1% in 2023, the effective tax rate was stable.
The Adjusted net income, Group share, per share16 amounted to €9.24, up 9% from 2023 (€8.48).
Consolidated net income, Group share, stood at €1,420 million, up 39% from 2023. This increase can be explained notably by the recognition in 2023 of a non-current and non-recurring expense linked to the implementation of insurance coverage for the Group’s commitments under the Thales UK Pension Scheme.
Financial position at December 31, 2024
Free operating cash flow17 amounted to €2,027 million compared to €2,026 million in 2023. It included a contribution of €2,142 million from continuing operations and -€116 million from discontinued operations. For continuing operations, the cash conversion ratio of Adjusted net income, Group share, into free operating cash flow was 114%.
The net balance of acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries and affiliates amounted to €359 million. Under its acquisition strategy, the Group completed two major operations in 2024:
The acquisition (on April 2, 2024) of Cobham Aerospace Communications, a leading supplier of cutting-edge technologies enabling flexible, integrated and more-autonomous avionics systems, based primarily in the United States and generating sales of approximately $200 million in 2023 (see press releases dated July 12, 2023 and April 2, 2024);
The sale (on 31 May 2024) to Hitachi Rail of the Transport business, a global leader in rail signaling and train control systems, telecommunications and supervision systems, and fare collection solutions (see press releases dated August 4, 2021 and May 31, 2024). This business generated sales of €1,822 million in 2023.
As part of the share buyback program covering a maximum of 3.5% of the capital announced in March 2022 and completed in March 2024, 1,245,757 shares were repurchased during 2024, representing 0.6% of the share capital, for €176 million. The Group repurchased a total of 7,469,396 shares under this program, 3.5% of the share capital.
At December 31, 2024, net debt amounted to €3,044 million compared with €4,190 million at December 31, 2023. This decrease reflects the impact of free operating cash flow generation, acquisitions and disposals for -€359 million (€3,464 million in 2023), the payment of €708 million in dividends (€634 million in 2023), new lease liabilities for €143 million (€166 million in 2023) and the share buyback program.
Equity, Group share amounted to €7,515 million, compared with €6,830 million at December 31, 2023. This increase reflects the positive contribution of consolidated net income, Group share (€1,420 million) less the dividend payout (-€708 million) and share buybacks (-€176 million).
Non-financial performance
In line with its corporate purpose of “Building a future we can all trust”, Thales has set itself the ambition in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): to contribute to a safer, greener and more inclusive world. First, the Group will seek to maximize the contribution of its portfolio of solutions to the planet and society. Secondly, Thales has set itself ambitious targets on three main priorities:
The fight against global warming;
Strengthening gender diversity at all levels;
The implementation of the best standards in terms of ethics and compliance.
In terms of the fight against global warming, scope 1 & 2 CO2 emissions fell by 56.8% in 2024 compared to 2018 and scope 3 emissions fell by 24.7% compared to 2018. The Group has thus achieved its 2030 targets ahead of schedule for the second consecutive year. The absolute value reduction targets for carbon footprint remain relevant for 2030 given the Group’s growth prospects. To raise employee awareness to climate change and its impacts on society and on the Group, a voluntary training named “Thales Climate Passport” was deployed in 2024 with the aim of training 50% of managers. Over 67.4% of managers, representing around 35,000 employees, completed this training course in 2024, demonstrating the great success of this training.
With regard to strengthening diversity, Thales has set itself an ambitious target for 2026 to have 75% of management committees with at least 4 women. Thus, at the end of 2024, 61.5% of the Group’s management committees had at least 4 women, compared to 52.6% at the end of 2023. The highest levels of responsibility comprised 21.1% women at the end of 2024[1]; a performance in line with the Group’s trajectory to reach the set goal of 22.5% by 2026 (compared to 20.4% at the end of 2023 and 16.6% at the end of 2018).
In the area of ethics and compliance, 100% of employees concerned by the 2024 anti-corruption training campaign have been trained, demonstrating the Group’s continuous commitment to train all employees potentially exposed to risk situations. In 2024, the ISO 37001 certification “Anti-bribery management systems” was renewed for 3 years and extended to Germany, Australia, and New Zealand after Canada and the United States in 2023, and the United Kingdom and the Netherlands in 2022. Thus, in 2024, the revenue generated by certified entities represents 64% of the Group’s revenue (vs. 58% in 2023).
[1] Percentage of women in the total workforce: 27.4%.
Proposed dividend
The Board of Directors decided to propose to the shareholders, who will convene at the Annual General Meeting on May 16, 2025, the payment of a dividend of €3.70 per share. This corresponds to a payout ratio of 40% of the Adjusted net income, Group share, per share.
If approved, the ex-dividend date will be May 20, 2025, and the payment date will be May 22 2025. This dividend will be paid fully in cash and will amount to €2.85 per share, after deducting the interim dividend of €0.85 per share paid in December 2024.
Outlook
Thales is embarking on 2025 with confidence, bolstered by good visibility in the vast majority of its activities.
In 2025, the Avionics business will be driven by both the original equipment and aftermarket services activities, the continued growth of the Cobham AeroComms business, and the gradual recovery of the IFE business. In the Space business, the outlook remains positive, particularly in the Observation, Exploration & Science, Navigation and military telecommunications activities. However, the structural weakness of demand in the geostationary satellite market will dampen the growth of this activity. Thales will continue to implement its cost adaptation plan, with the objective of an Adjusted EBIT margin of 7%+ in the Space business in 2028.
The Defence segment, which enjoys a record order book, will be further supported by strong demand in 2025, against a backdrop of increasing military spending, particularly in the geographical areas where the Group operates. With the increase in its production capacity over the past several years and a portfolio of premium solutions incorporating differentiating leading technologies, Thales is ideally positioned to meet its customers’ needs.
Lastly, the Cyber and Digital segment will benefit from positive momentum in 2025, supported by Thales’ unique positioning and leadership. The continued development of Imperva will strengthen the differentiating value proposition in cybersecurity activities in order to take advantage of the buoyant environment. The payment services business is also expected to gradually return to growth.
The Group expects net investment expenses to slightly exceed €700 million in 2025 (after €617 million in 2024) to meet the need to increase production capacity, particularly in the Defence business.
As a result, Thales sets the following targets for 2025:
A book-to-bill ratio above 1;
Organic sales growth of between +5% and +6%, corresponding to sales in the range of €21.7 billion to €21.9 billion;
An Adjusted EBIT18 margin between 12.2% and 12.4%, up 40 to 60 basis points from 2024.
The Group also expects to maintain a high cash conversion ratio of between 95% and 100% in 2025.
Note: assuming no new major disruptions of macroeconomic and geopolitical context; including tariff increase.
Impact of new tax measures in France
Following the adoption of the 2025 budget, which introduces various tax changes, the impacts for the Thales Group are as follows:
An additional tax expense of ~€80 million related to the temporary additional corporate tax charge, giving rise to an additional tax of 41.2% in 2025, resulting in an overall tax rate of 36.13% (instead of the current rate of 25.83%);
~€8 million in taxes payable on share cancellations made in October 2024 as part of the share buyback program.
The temporary additional contribution to corporate tax for Naval Group could have a negative impact of around €8 million on Thales’ Adjusted EBIT in 2025.
These different impacts will represent an equivalent cash outflow in 2025.
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This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Although Thales believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may differ significantly from the forward-looking statements due to various risks and uncertainties, as described in the Company’s Universal Registration Document, which has been filed with the French financial markets authority (Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF).
1 In this press release, “organic” means “at constant scope and exchange rates”. See note on methodology on page 18 and calculation on page 23.
2 Non-GAAP financial indicators, see definitions in the appendices, page 18. The title “EBIT” has been amended to “Adjusted EBIT”, in accordance with ESMA’s recommendation.The definition remains unchanged.
3 Operating free cash flow from continuing operations, excluding the Transport activity sold on May 31, 2024.
4 Proposed to the Annual General Meeting on May 16, 2025.
5 Ratio of order intake to sales.
6 As at the date of this press release, the verification process on the sustainability information is ongoing. With the exception of the possible impact of the conclusions of this process, the audit procedures have been carried out. The audit report will be issued following the Board of Directors’ meeting on April 2, after the finalization of the procedures related to sustainability information.
7 Non-GAAP financial indicators, see definitions in the appendices, page 18.
8 Proposed to the Annual General Meeting on May 16, 2025.
9 Free operating cash flow from continuing operations, excluding the Transport activity sold on May 31, 2024.
10 Mature markets: Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand; emerging markets: all other countries. See table on page 22.
11 Taking into account a currency effect of €49 million and a net scope effect of €625 million.
12 See table on page 22.
13 Mature markets: Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand; emerging markets: all other countries. See table on page 22.
14 The calculation of the organic change in sales is shown on page 23.
15 See table on page 22.
16 Non-GAAP financial indicator, see definition in the appendices, page 18 and calculation, pages 20 and 21.
17 Non-GAAP financial indicator, see definition in the appendices, page 18.
18 The title “EBIT” has been amended to “Adjusted EBIT”, in accordance with ESMA’s recommendation.The definition remains unchanged.
India’s security apparatus must remain adaptive to emerging threats such as cyber warfare, hybrid warfare, space-based challenges, and transnational organised crime: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Advanced systems & technologies must be leveraged not only for security operations but also for disaster management & humanitarian relief: RM
“It is not enough for security agencies and technology developers to take the lead. Every citizen should know how to respond in times of crisis”
Posted On: 04 MAR 2025 2:27PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) – Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Collaboration Conference-Cum-Exhibition on ‘Advanced Technologies for Internal Security and Disaster Relief Operations’ at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi on March 04, 2025. Organised by the Directorate of Low Intensity Conflict (DLIC) under DRDO, the two-day conference aims to equip Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) officers with the latest advancements in technology to address challenges in their operations. The event provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and collaboration to strengthen India’s internal security and disaster response framework.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the growing complexities in global security and the increasing overlap between internal and external threats. “Security challenges in the modern world are evolving rapidly, and the overlap between internal and external security is increasing. It is imperative that our institutions break silos and work collaboratively to ensure a strong, secure, and self-reliant India,” he stated. He stressed that India’s national security must be viewed holistically, integrating efforts across different security agencies and leveraging the latest technological advancements.
Shri Rajnath Singh underscored that India’s security apparatus must remain adaptive to emerging threats such as cyber warfare, hybrid warfare, space-based challenges, and transnational organised crime. He noted that India’s internal security is not just about managing conventional threats like terrorism, separatist movements, and left-wing extremism but also about preparing for unconventional threats that can destabilise the nation’s economic and strategic interests. “The adversaries of today do not always come with traditional weapons; cyber-attacks, misinformation campaigns, and space-based espionage are emerging as new-age threats that require advanced solutions,” he stated.
“DRDO has played a pivotal role in enhancing India’s defence capabilities, and its contributions to internal security are equally commendable. From small arms and bulletproof jackets to surveillance and communication systems, DRDO’s innovations are empowering our security forces,” Raksha Mantri underlined. He urged DRDO and MHA to work together to create a common list of scalable products that can be jointly developed and deployed in a time-bound manner. “Our security forces require the best tools and technologies to remain ahead of the curve. It is encouraging to see DRDO’s focus on modernisation, with products like small arms, surveillance equipment and drone systems either inducted or undergoing evaluation for deployment in internal security agencies,” he highlighted.
Shri Rajnath Singh recalled his tenure as Home Minister, highlighting how the collaboration between security agencies and scientific institutions led to significant technological advancements. He cited examples of DRDO-developed technologies such as the corner shot weapon system, INSAS rifles, IED jammer vehicles and riot control vehicles, which were effectively integrated into the operations of CAPFs.
Shri Rajnath Singh also spoke about the importance of leveraging technology not just for security but also for disaster management and humanitarian relief. “The role of technology is not just in defence but also in ensuring peace and social welfare. Advanced systems like bulletproof jackets, drones, surveillance equipment and anti-drone technologies must be leveraged not only for security operations but also for disaster management and humanitarian relief,” he said. He cited the increasing frequency of natural calamities like cyclones, avalanches, earthquakes & cloud bursts and underscored the critical need for advanced rescue tools. He mentioned that the use of technologies such as thermal imaging cameras, drone-based detection systems, and victim locating devices can significantly reduce casualties and damage.
Referring to the recent avalanche in Mana, Uttarakhand, Raksha Mantri lauded the use of advanced rescue equipment in saving lives and reducing the impact of the disaster. He threw light on the fact that although disasters are tragic in themselves, their impact can be minimised with the use of advanced technology and how, in the recent avalanche, technologies like rotary rescue saws, thermal imaging, victim locating cameras, avalanche rods, and drone-based detection systems played a crucial role in saving lives.
Highlighting the importance of public awareness in disaster management, Shri Rajnath Singh called for greater involvement of civil society in disaster preparedness. “Today, India is a prospering nation, and disaster management must become an integral part of our preparedness. It is not enough for security agencies and technology developers to take the lead; we must also educate the general public. Every citizen should know how to respond in times of crisis,” he urged.
Raksha Mantri also stressed the need for focused conferences on specific security challenges faced by different regions of the country. “Security threats in India are not uniform. The issues faced in the Northeast due to insurgencies are different from those in Naxal-affected areas or border regions. Similarly, urban security concerns are different from those in rural areas. We need to organise dedicated conferences that focus on region-specific challenges and solutions,” he said.
As part of the event, the Transfer of Technology (ToT) of the ASMI 9x19mm Machine Pistol was handed over by DRDO to Lokesh Machinery Tool, marking a step forward in the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. Shri Rajnath Singh also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing DRDO-designed technologies developed in collaboration with the Indian defence industry, highlighting achievements in indigenisation. Three significant documents were also released to strengthen cooperation and technological advancements in internal security and disaster management. These include:
1. Compendium of DRDO Products for Internal Security
2. Compendium of DRDO Products for Police Operations
3. Compendium of DRDO Products for Disaster Relief Operations
The conference includes seven technical sessions focusing on key areas such as Left-Wing Extremism, border management, advanced weapon technologies, drone & counter-drone solutions, disaster management, policing & crowd control, and futuristic communication technologies.
Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat during the conference stated that more than 100 products from DRDO developed technologies have been or soon will be inducted into various agencies of MHA. He further mentioned that the technologies which DRDO develops for the services are also being utilised in internal security as well as disaster relief operations. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Secretary (Border Management) MHA Shri Rajendra Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, DG (Production, Coordination & Services Interaction) Dr Chandrika Kaushik, senior officials from Ministry of Defence and MHA were also present on the occasion.
Atos and Esri announce a strategic partnership to strengthen their offerings in the digital twins market for territory and infrastructure applications
Paris, France – March 4, 2025 –Atos today announces that it has signed a strategic partnership with Esri (Environmental Systems Research Institute), a world leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to strengthen their offerings in the market related to AI powered digital twins for territories and infrastructure. These new software solutions will facilitate the collection, management and visualization of complex location-based information through the simulation and development enabled by these digital twins.
For more than 50 years, Esri has been transforming the exponential volume of geomatics and map data available into actionable insights through decision software. This first-of-its-kind collaboration will combine Atos’s expertise in digital technologies and AI with Esri’s unparalleled experience in GIS to offer their customers new tools of unprecedented power.
Atos will bring to the partnership its know-how in 3D system modeling and digital twin development for an improved user interface, its experience in integrating and managing complex projects, as well as its knowledge of specific markets such as defense or civil security. Esri, meanwhile, will leverage its capabilities in data integration and interoperability while ensuring that Atos and its customers have access to the necessary technical support, skills, training and certifications to take full advantage of GIS solutions. This will maximize the value of these tools and develop new business opportunities. The partners will be able to work together on new projects and apply their respective expertise to existing projects depending on the specific needs and requirements.
By combining their strengths, Esri and Atos are expanding their service portfolio and opening up new opportunities in several key sectors such as:
Public sector: Supporting local authorities in territorial planning and climate risk management, assisting governments with infrastructure and territorial planning, natural resource monitoring and disaster modelling.
Private sector: Tailor-made solutions for industry, networks, trade in areas such as BIM, logistics, network and flow management, as well as subsurface exploration solutions for industries like oil and mining.
Defense and security: Tools for advanced geospatial identification and humanitarian crisis management.
Emergency response: Real-time analysis of disaster areas and logistics in the event of disasters and other geolocatable events.
This partnership will also enable the development of a series of decision-making tools based on AI and GIS, providing public authorities with new and more advanced solutions to understand, prevent and adapt to climate risks, as well as to fine tune of natural resource management.
“We are delighted to have entered this new partnership with Esri, the world leader in mapping data, whichembodies Atos’s excellence in geolocated data and geomatics tools,” said Laurent Clergue, Director of Inno’Labs, Atos. “The combination of our respective expertise opens up a brand-new field of opportunities and allows us toexpand our knowledge in data and AI. We are now ableto provide our customers with the best of our technologies in the simulation of natural and human environments, sustainable development, urban planning, or crisis management.”
“The implementation of digital twins for territory, infrastructure and subsurface markets is based on a solid ecosystem, combining a robust technological base and cutting-edge expertise. By combining Esri’s ArcGIS GIS platform, a true cornerstone for the modeling and analysis of spatial data, and Atos’s expertise in terms of specific services and developments, we are creating together the opportunities for innovative and efficient projects, to the benefit of tomorrow’s territories” saidLionel Henry, AEC Solutions Pilot, Esri France.
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About Esri
Esri, a global leader in geographic information systems (GIS), geolocation, and mapping software, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve business and business outcomes. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in hundreds of thousands of organizations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and universities. Esri has regional offices, global distributors, and partners providing local support in more than 100 countries on six continents. Through its pioneering commitment to geospatial technology and analytics, Esri designs the most innovative solutions that use a geographic approach to solve some of the world’s most complex problems in the critical context of location. Visit us on www.esri.com
About Atos
Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 82,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.
The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.
Details 2025-02-24 President Lai meets Japanese House of Representatives Member Tamaki Yuichiro On the afternoon of February 24, President Lai Ching-te met with Japanese House of Representatives Member Tamaki Yuichiro. In remarks, President Lai noted that Taiwan and Japan are important trading partners. The president expressed hope that, in addition to semiconductors, Taiwan and Japan can also bolster cooperation in the fields of hydrogen energy and drones and build non-red supply chains, thus creating economic win-win situations and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and globally. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to start by warmly welcoming Representative Tamaki on his first trip to Taiwan. Now is a key moment for the cooperative ties between Taiwan and Japan, and the fact that Representative Tamaki has chosen to take time out of his busy schedule to make this trip demonstrates his especially meaningful support for Taiwan. For this I want to express my deepest gratitude. At the beginning of this month, Japan and the United States held a summit meeting. In the post-summit joint leaders’ statement the government of Japan reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion, and expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. I would like to thank the government of Japan for these statements. Taiwan and Japan are both responsible members of the international community. I welcome an even firmer friendship between Japan and the US and hope to see cooperation among Taiwan, Japan, and the US become a solid force in consolidating peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition to complex international conditions, we now also face the threat of China’s red supply chain. More and more countries are becoming increasingly concerned about such issues as economic security and supply chain resilience. As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity. Taiwan and Japan are important trading partners. I hope that, in addition to semiconductors, Taiwan and Japan can also bolster cooperation in the fields of hydrogen energy and drones, and that we can build non-red supply chains, thus creating economic win-win situations and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and globally. Lastly, I would like once again to welcome Representative Tamaki to Taiwan and wish him a successful visit. I hope he departs Taiwan with a deep impression and that he will visit again. Representative Tamaki then delivered remarks, noting that this was his first visit to Taiwan and thanking President Lai and officials of the Taiwan government for their warm welcome. Pointing out that Taiwan-Japan ties are closer than ever thanks to the major efforts made on this front by President Lai since taking office, Representative Tamaki expressed his admiration and gratitude. Representative Tamaki pointed out that in a changing global landscape, Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region all face major changes, but he firmly believes that Taiwan-Japan relations will develop even further. Recalling President Lai’s previous remarks, the representative said that Japan and the US recently held a summit meeting that yielded important results. In the joint leaders’ statement, he noted, the two sides made a clear commitment regarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and firmly opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. Representative Tamaki said that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito did not win a majority in last year’s House of Representatives general elections, while the number of seats held by his own Democratic Party for the People quadrupled. This result, he said, has filled him with a feeling of great responsibility. Moving forward, he intends to continue promoting Taiwan-Japan cooperation and strengthening relations. Also in attendance at the meeting was Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
Details 2025-02-21 President Lai meets Abe Akie, wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan On the morning of February 21, President Lai Ching-te met with Abe Akie, the wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan. In remarks, President Lai thanked Mrs. Abe for carrying on the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe, being a benevolent and determined force for regional peace and prosperity, and calling on all parties to continue to place attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait. The president stated that Taiwan will carry on the legacy and spirit of former President Lee Teng-hui and former Prime Minister Abe, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Last May, Mrs. Abe came to Taiwan to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, and we reminisced about the past here at the Presidential Office. I would like to warmly welcome her back today. I am also delighted to be meeting with all guests in attendance. Yesterday, Mrs. Abe and I attended the opening of the very first Halifax Taipei forum, for which Mrs. Abe also delivered a keynote speech earlier today. In her speech, she offered valuable input on global security and democratic development. I would like to thank Mrs. Abe for making this special trip to Taiwan to take part, showing her strong support for Taiwan. Former Prime Minister Abe pioneered the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and called on the international community to pay attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific. These have become common strategic goals of democratic countries around the world and will have a far-reaching influence over international developments and Taiwan’s security. They were important contributions that former Prime Minister Abe made in regard to the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, current Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and United States President Donald Trump held a meeting and jointly reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as opposed unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion. They also expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. This shows that Prime Minister Ishiba is furthering the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe. We are very grateful for the former prime minister’s friendship toward Taiwan, and to Mrs. Abe for carrying on his legacy. Mrs. Abe is a benevolent and determined force for regional peace and prosperity, and has called on all parties at numerous public venues to continue to place attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait. Last December, for instance, she traveled at the invitation of President Trump and his wife to the US, where she addressed cross-strait issues and spoke up for Taiwan. We were deeply moved by this. As authoritarian states continue to expand, Taiwan will keep working alongside like-minded nations such as Japan and the US, as well as the European Union, to jointly contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity. I look forward to continued advancement of regional peace and prosperity with the help of Mrs. Abe’s efforts. Mrs. Abe will also be meeting with daughter of former President Lee and Lee Teng-hui Foundation Chairperson Annie Lee (李安妮) tomorrow. Former President Lee and former Prime Minister Abe were both fully devoted to promoting Taiwan-Japan relations. We will carry on their legacy and spirit, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship. In closing, I wish you all a smooth and successful visit. Mrs. Abe then delivered remarks, first expressing her sincere thanks to President Lai for taking the time to meet. She said that former Prime Minister Abe hailed from Yamaguchi Prefecture, and that accompanying her that day were House of Councillors Member Kitamura Tsuneo, Yamaguchi Prefecture Governor Muraoka Tsugumasa, Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Deputy Speaker Shimata Noriaki, and many other important figures from Yamaguchi. If former Prime Minister Abe’s spirit could look upon this scene, she said, he would certainly be very pleased. Mrs. Abe recalled that when the former prime minister passed away, then-Vice President Lai traveled to their official residence to express his condolences and pay tribute. She said that she will never forget such a gesture of deep friendship, heartfelt condolences, and care. The year before last, she indicated, a memorial photo exhibition for former Prime Minister Abe was held in Taiwan, and many Taiwanese people from all walks of life came to view it. Last year, Mrs. Abe continued, she had the privilege of attending President Lai’s inauguration ceremony, where she met with many friends from Taiwan and personally felt the close and beautiful ties that Taiwan and Japan share. Mrs. Abe stated that she will carry out the wishes of former Prime Minister Abe and do her utmost to help raise Taiwan-Japan relations to new heights, saying that she looks forward to hearing the advice that President Lai and all those present have to offer. The delegation also included Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
Details 2025-02-20 President Lai attends opening of 2025 Halifax Taipei forum On the afternoon of February 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the 2025 Halifax Taipei forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Halifax International Security Forum for their strong support for Taiwan, and for having chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. Noting that we face a complex global landscape, the president called on the international community to take action. He said that as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity, and called on the international community to create non-red global supply chains, as well as unite to usher in peace. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan will work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and collaborate with democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and together greet a bright, new era. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: To begin, I want to give a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests here at the very first Halifax Taipei forum. The Halifax International Security Forum, held every year in Canada, has been an important gathering for freedom-loving nations worldwide. I would like to thank Halifax and President [Peter] Van Praagh for their strong support for Taiwan. Every year since 2018, Taiwan has been invited to participate in the forum. Last year, former President Tsai Ing-wen was invited to speak, and this year, Halifax has chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. As President Van Praagh has said, “While the security challenges ahead are too big for any single country to solve alone, there is no challenge that can’t be met when the world’s democracies work together.” Today, we have world leaders and experts who traveled from afar to be here, showing that they value and support Taiwan. It demonstrates solidarity among democracies and the determination to take on challenges as one. I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to all of you for serving as defenders of freedom. At this very moment, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing. Authoritarian regimes including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran continue to consolidate. China is hurting economies around the world through its dumping practices. We face grave challenges to global economic order, democracy, freedom, peace, and stability. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, directly facing an authoritarian threat. But we will not be intimidated. We will stand firm and safeguard our national sovereignty, maintain our free and democratic way of life, and uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan cherishes peace, but we also have no delusions about peace. We will uphold the spirit of peace through strength, using concrete actions to build a stronger Taiwan and bolster the free and democratic community. I sincerely thank the international community for continuing to attach importance to the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru issued a joint leaders’ statement expressing their firm support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and for Taiwan’s participation in international affairs. As we face a complex global landscape, I call on the international community to take the following actions: First, as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity. Just a few days ago, the top diplomats of the US, Japan, and South Korea held talks, underlining the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also conveyed their stance against “any effort to destabilize democratic institutions, economic independence, and global security.” On these issues, Taiwan will also continue to contribute its utmost. I recently announced that we will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Soon after I assumed office last year, I formed the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. This committee aims to combine the strengths of government and civil society to enhance our resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. We will also deepen our strategic partnerships in the democratic community to mutually increase defense resilience, demonstrate deterrence, and achieve our goal of peace throughout the world. Second, let’s create non-red global supply chains. For the democratic community to deter the expansion of authoritarianism, it must have strong technological capabilities. These can serve as the backbone of national defense, promote industrial development, and enhance economic resilience. So, in addressing China’s red supply chain and the impact of its dumping, Taiwan is willing and able to work with global democracies to maintain the technological strengths among our partners and build resilient non-red supply chains. As a major semiconductor manufacturing nation, Taiwan will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We will collaborate with our democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. The achievements of today’s semiconductor industry in Taiwan can be attributed to our collective efforts. Government, industry, academia, and research institutions had to overcome various challenges over the last 50 years for us to secure this position. We hope Taiwan can serve as a base for linking the capabilities of our democratic partners so that each can play a suitable role in the semiconductor industry chain and develop its own strengths, deepening our mutually beneficial cooperation in technology. This benefits all of us. Moreover, it allows us to further enhance deterrence and maintain global security. Third, let’s unite to usher in peace. China has not stopped intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily. Last year, China launched several large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Its escalation of gray-zone aggression now poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will maintain the status quo. We will not seek conflict. Rather, we are willing to engage in dialogue with China, under the principles of parity and dignity, and work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. As the agenda of this forum suggests, democracy and freedom create more than just opportunities; they also bring resilience, justice, partnerships, and security. Taiwan will continue working alongside its democratic partners to greet a bright, new era. Once again, a warm welcome to all of you. I wish this forum every success. Thank you. Also in attendance at the event were Mrs. Abe Akie, wife of the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan, and Halifax International Security Forum President Van Praagh.
Details 2025-02-18 President Lai meets British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation On the morning of February 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation members, the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and the UK government for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. He also stated that Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years, noting that the Taiwan-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. The president said he looks forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability, and indicated that together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: This is the first UK parliamentary delegation of the current session to visit Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to you all. APPG Chair Sarah Champion visited Taiwan last May to attend the inauguration ceremony of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. In July, she also attended the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which was held in Taipei. I am delighted that we are meeting once again. Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years. I would especially like to thank our distinguished guests, as well as the UK Parliament and government, for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. For example, the House of Commons held a debate on Taiwan’s international status last November. After the debate, a motion was unanimously passed affirming that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan. Responding to the motion, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Catherine West stated that the UK opposes any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. This highlighted concrete progress in Taiwan-UK bilateral relations. I would also like to thank the UK Parliament and government for openly opposing on multiple occasions any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and for emphasizing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and transatlantic regions is closely intertwined. We look forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability. Together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. For example, the Taiwan-UK ETP is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. We hope to swiftly conclude negotiations on signing sub-arrangements on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero transition. This will facilitate even more exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the UK. We also hope that the UK will continue to support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Together, we can build even more resilient global supply chains and further contribute to global prosperity and development. I believe that this visit adds to a strong and solid foundation for future Taiwan-UK cooperation. Thank you once again for backing Taiwan. I wish you a fruitful and successful visit. Chair Champion then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for his warm welcome and for the hospitality he has shown to her and the delegation, and thanking Taiwan’s excellent team of officials for their care and attention. Chair Champion expressed that she thinks the IPAC conference held in Taiwan at the end of July last year was very significant, with legislators from 23 countries coming to show support for Taiwan, adding that that is something they have built on since the conference. She stated that she is also very proud that the UK Parliament supported the motion which made very clear that UNGA Resolution 2758 is specific to China and only to China, expressing that it was important and powerful that they recognize that. The chair went on to say that after the UK’s general election, more than half of the members of parliament are now new. She said she is very proud that there are new MPs as part of the delegation, and that she hopes it gives President Lai reassurance that their commitment to Taiwan is still there. Chair Champion emphasized that the all-party group is important because it is indeed all-party, and that they work together for their common interests, stating that the common interest for the UK and for the world is to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty. She also noted that the United States has now come out very much in support of Taiwan, which she said she hopes encourages other countries around the world to do the same. Chair Champion said that the UK will be going into the 27th trade negotiation with Taiwan, and that they hope the partnership that develops is very fruitful. The chair closed by saying that it is wonderful for the delegation to be meeting President Lai, as well as legislators and ministers, and to be understanding more about the culture of Taiwan so that they can build a deeper, longer-lasting friendship. The delegation also included Lord Purvis of Tweed of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament Ben Spencer, Helena Dollimore, Noah Law, and David Reed. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Political and Communications Director at the British Office in Taipei Natasha Harrington.
Details 2025-02-17 President Lai meets former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger On the morning of February 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger. In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation for demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan through their visit. The president pointed out that increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. He emphasized that only by bolstering our defense capabilities can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. The president stated that moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. He also expressed hope of strengthening the Taiwan-US partnership and jointly building secure and resilient non-red supply chains so as to ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to welcome our good friends Mr. Pottinger and retired US Rear Admiral Mr. Mark Montgomery to Taiwan once again. Last June, Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Ivan Kanapathy came to Taiwan to launch their new book The Boiling Moat. During that visit, they also visited the Presidential Office. We held an extensive exchange of views on Taiwan-US relations and regional affairs right here in the Taiwan Heritage Room. Now, as we meet again eight months later, I am pleased to learn that Mr. Kanapathy is now serving on the White House National Security Council. The Mandarin translation of The Boiling Moat is also due to be released in Taiwan very soon. This book offers insightful observations from US experts regarding US-China-Taiwan relations and valuable advice for the strengthening of Taiwan’s national defense, security, and overall resilience. I am sure that Taiwanese readers will benefit greatly from it. I understand that this is Mr. Montgomery’s fourth visit to Taiwan and that he has long paid close attention to Taiwan-related issues. I look forward to an in-depth discussion with our two friends on the future direction of Taiwan-US relations and cooperation. Increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. One notion we all share is peace through strength. That is, only by bolstering our defense capabilities and fortifying our defenses can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. We also hope to strengthen the Taiwan-US partnership in such fields as security, trade and the economy, and energy. In addition, we will advance cooperation in critical and innovative technologies and jointly build secure and resilient non-red supply chains. This will ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. We believe that closer Taiwan-US exchanges and cooperation not only benefit national security and development but also align with the common economic interests of Taiwan and the US. I want to thank Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Montgomery once again for visiting and for continuing to advance Taiwan-US exchanges, demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan. Let us continue to work together to deepen Taiwan-US relations. I wish you a smooth and fruitful visit. Mr. Pottinger then delivered remarks, first congratulating President Lai on his one-year election anniversary and on the state of the economy, which, he added, is doing quite well. Mentioning President Lai’s recent statement pledging to increase Taiwan’s defense budget to above 3 percent of GDP, Mr. Pottinger said he thinks that the benchmark is equal to what the US spends on its defense and that it is a good starting point for both countries to build deterrence. Echoing the president’s earlier remarks, Mr. Pottinger said that peace through strength is the right path for the US and for Taiwan right now at a moment when autocratic, aggressive governments are on the march. He then paraphrased the words of former US President George Washington in his first inaugural address, saying that the best way to keep the peace is to be prepared at all times for war, which captures the meaning of peace through strength. In closing, he said he looks forward to exchanging views with President Lai.
Details 2025-02-14 President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting On the morning of February 14, President Lai Ching-te convened the first high-level national security meeting of the year, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai announced that in this new year, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that Taiwan’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. He stated that the government will also continue to reform national defense, reform our legal framework for national security, and advance our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally. The president also proposed clear-cut national strategies for Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. President Lai indicated that he instructed the national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches outlined. He also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. He expressed hope that as long as citizens remain steadfast in their convictions, are willing to work hand in hand, stand firm amidst uncertainty, and look for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of time yet again. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to convey my condolences for the tragic incident which occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, which resulted in numerous casualties. I have instructed Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to lead the relevant central government agencies in assisting Taichung’s municipal government with actively resolving various issues regarding the incident. It is my hope that these issues can be resolved efficiently. Earlier today, I convened this year’s first high-level national security meeting. I will now report on the discussions from the meeting to all citizens. 2025 is a year full of challenges, but also a year full of hope. In today’s global landscape, the democratic world faces common threats posed by the convergence of authoritarian regimes, while dumping and unfair competition from China undermine the global economic order. A new United States administration was formed at the beginning of the year, adopting all-new strategies and policies to address challenges both domestic and from overseas. Every nation worldwide, including ours, is facing a new phase of changes and challenges. In face of such changes, ensuring national security, ensuring Taiwan’s indispensability in global supply chains, and ensuring that our nation continues to make progress amidst challenges are our top priorities this year. They are also why we convened a high-level national security meeting today. At the meeting, the national security team, the administrative team led by Premier Cho, and I held an in-depth discussion based on the overall state of affairs at home and abroad and the strategies the teams had prepared in response. We summed up the following points as an overall strategy for the next stage of advancing national security and development. First, for overall national security, so that we can ensure the freedom, democracy, and human rights of the Taiwanese people, as well as the progress and development of the nation as we face various threats from authoritarian regimes, Taiwan must resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen self-sufficiency in national defense, and consolidate national defense. Taiwan must enhance economic resilience, maintain economic autonomy, and stand firm with other democracies as we deepen our strategic partnerships with like-minded countries. As I have said, “As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must come closer in solidarity!” And so, in this new year, we will focus on the following three priorities: First, to demonstrate our resolve for national defense, we will continue to reform national defense, implement whole-of-society defense resilience, and prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Second, to counter the threats to our national security from China’s united front tactics, attempts at infiltration, and cognitive warfare, we will continue with the reform of our legal framework for national security and expand the national security framework to boost societal resilience and foster unity within. Third, to seize opportunities in the restructuring of global supply chains and realignment of the economic order, we will continue advancing our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally, strengthening protections for high-tech, and collaborating with our friends and allies to build supply chains for global democracies. Everyone shares concern regarding Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. For these issues, I am proposing clear-cut national strategies. First, I will touch on Taiwan-US relations. Taiwan and the US have shared ideals and values, and are staunch partners within the democratic, free community. We are very grateful to President Donald Trump’s administration for their continued support for Taiwan after taking office. We are especially grateful for the US and Japan’s joint leaders’ statement reiterating “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community,” as well as their high level of concern regarding China’s threat to regional security. In fact, the Democratic Progressive Party government has worked very closely with President Trump ever since his first term in office, and has remained an international partner. The procurement of numerous key advanced arms, freedom of navigation critical for security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and many assisted breakthroughs in international diplomacy were made possible during this time. Positioned in the first island chain and on the democratic world’s frontline countering authoritarianism, Taiwan is willing and will continue to work with the US at all levels as we pursue regional stability and prosperity, helping realize our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Although changes in policy may occur these next few years, the mutual trust and close cooperation between Taiwan and Washington will steadfastly endure. On that, our citizens can rest assured. In accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, the US announced a total of 48 military sales to Taiwan over the past eight years amounting to US$26.265 billion. During President Trump’s first term, 22 sales were announced totaling US$18.763 billion. This greatly supported Taiwan’s defensive capabilities. On the foundation of our close cooperation with the past eight years’ two US administrations, Taiwan will continue to demonstrate our determination for self-defense, accelerate the bolstering of our national defense, and keep enhancing the depth and breadth of Taiwan-US security cooperation, along with all manner of institutional cooperation. In terms of bilateral economic cooperation, Taiwan has always been one of the US’s most reliable trade partners, as well as one of the most important cooperative partners of US companies in the global semiconductor industry. In the past few years, Taiwan has greatly increased both direct and indirect investment in the US. By 2024, investment surpassed US$100 billion, creating nearly 400,000 job opportunities. In 2023 and 2024, investment in the US accounted for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s overall foreign investment, far surpassing our investment in China. In fact, in 2023 and 2024, Taiwanese investment in China fell to 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The US is now Taiwan’s biggest investment target. Our government is now launching relevant plans in accordance with national development needs and the need to establish secure supply systems, and the Executive Yuan is taking comprehensive inventory of opportunities for Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Moving forward, close bilateral cooperation will allow us to expand US investment and procurement, facilitating balanced trade. Our government will also strengthen guidance and support for Taiwanese enterprises on increasing US investment, and promote the global expansion and growth of Taiwan’s industries. We will also boost Taiwan-US cooperation in tech development and manufacturing for AI and advanced semiconductors, and work together to maintain order in the semiconductor market, shaping a new era for our strategic economic partnership. Second, the development of our semiconductor industry. I want to emphasize that Taiwan, as one of the world’s most capable semiconductor manufacturing nations, is both willing and able to address new situations. With respect to President Trump’s concerns about our semiconductor industry, the government will act prudently, strengthen communications between Taiwan and the US, and promote greater mutual understanding. We will pay attention to the challenges arising from the situation and assist businesses in navigating them. In addition, we will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We are willing to collaborate with the US and our other democratic partners to develop more resilient and diversified semiconductor supply chains. Leveraging our strengths in cutting-edge semiconductors, we will form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. Through international cooperation, we will open up an entirely new era of growth in the semiconductor industry. As we face the various new policies of the Trump administration, we will continue to uphold a spirit of mutual benefit, and we will continue to communicate and negotiate closely with the US government. This will help the new administration’s team to better understand how Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the process of rebuilding American manufacturing and consolidating its leadership in high-tech, and that Taiwan-US cooperation will benefit us both. Third, cross-strait relations. Regarding the regional and cross-strait situation, Taiwan-US relations, US-China relations, and interactions among Taiwan, the US, and China are a focus of global attention. As a member of the international democratic community and a responsible member of the region, Taiwan hopes to see Taiwan-US relations continue to strengthen and, alongside US-China relations, form a virtuous cycle rather than a zero-sum game where one side’s gain is another side’s loss. In facing China, Taiwan will always be a responsible actor. We will neither yield nor provoke. We will remain resilient and composed, maintaining our consistent position on cross-strait relations: Our determination to safeguard our national sovereignty and protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as our willingness to work alongside China in the pursuit of peace and mutual prosperity across the strait, remain unchanged. Our commitment to promoting healthy and orderly exchanges across the strait, choosing dialogue over confrontation, and advancing well-being for the peoples on both sides of the strait, under the principles of parity and dignity, remains unchanged. Regarding the matters I reported to the public today, I have instructed our national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches I just outlined. I have also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. My fellow citizens, over the past several years, Taiwan has weathered a global pandemic and faced global challenges, both political and economic, arising from the US-China trade war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through it all, Taiwan has persevered; we have continued to develop our economy, bolster our national strength, and raise our international profile while garnering more support – all unprecedented achievements. This is all because Taiwan’s fate has never been decided by the external environment, but by the unity of the Taiwanese people and the resolve to never give up. A one-of-a-kind global situation is creating new strategic opportunities for our one-of-a-kind Taiwanese people, bringing new hope. Taiwan’s foundation is solid; its strength is great. So as long as everyone remains steadfast in their convictions, is willing to work hand in hand, stands firm amidst uncertainty, and looks for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of our time yet again, for I am confident that there are no difficulties that Taiwan cannot overcome. Thank you.
JESS TEESDALE: We’re very excited to welcome the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King, here today, particularly some of the announcements that we’re about to hear. So very, very grateful. Thank you so much, Minister.
CATHERINE KING: Thanks, Jess. Well, it’s terrific to be here at the Australian Maritime College with Jess Teesdale, Labor’s Candidate for the seat of Bass. I’m very much looking forward to- I hear fabulous things about Jess everywhere I go and I’m very much looking forward to, hopefully, seeing her – after the election, whenever that might be – to seeing her with us in Canberra as the Federal Member for Bass.
Well, today I particularly want to acknowledge Mal Wise, who’s a former friend and- well, a good friend and colleague who has hosted us here at the Australian Maritime College. One of the things that we have been very conscious of as a government is that our maritime skills are incredibly important. They’re part of an important part of the sovereign capability we have as a nation, and so many of them are trained here.
And today we are announcing that, as part of the work that we did on the strategic fleet and as part of the work both through representations from the Maritime Union of Australia and the Maritime Industry associations, that we really do want to make sure that all of the fabulous students who are coming through this college are able to start to get access to sea time. One of the blockers of actually getting maritime skills is actually getting that sea time, getting that berth on a ship to be able to complete the practical parts of your training that you need to actually do.
And so today, we’re announcing over $16.9 million over the next four years which will pay for 20 seafarers to actually get, with industry, berths on ships to get that sea time. As I said, this is a really important part of our sovereign capability. And often what will happen, we know that the students that come through here are in very high demand. But in order to get that sea time, often many of them have to go overseas to do that and we don’t get them back.
So, if we’re going to have those seafarers for our Defence forces, for our civil maritime sector which is so important, particularly here in Tasmania but right the way across our coastline, we need to actually make sure that we can keep that training pipeline. This has been a really significant issue for some time. We’ve been working with Jobs and Skills Australia on this work as well, and some of the funding will go also to their different industry groups to actually continue that work to actually get the berths.
The other thing that we’re here in Launnie today I’m announcing is some really significant road funding. We’ve been working with the Tasmanian Government on what are the next tranches of funding for roads that really do need investment here in this community. And so we’re announcing here a $43 million package of new road funding. Both planning money, so one of the things that has been a hallmark of the Albanese-Labor Government is what we’ve been trying to do is make sure we invest early in planning; we get that planning, design services movement work. We get the funding to do that first, then we make sure we’ve got a very clear eyed view about what investments needed if needed for that to go forward.
So, $20 million we’re announcing to do the detailed design work for a new crossing of the Tamar. I know how important that is. It has been on the books for a long period of time, and so working with the Tasmanian Government to actually get that second crossing, $20 million from the Albanese-Labor Government to really ensure that we’ve got that work done. That combined, of course, with money that’s going – $10 million – towards Esk Main Road. And particularly, trying to look at how do we deal with the bottleneck at St Mary’s Pass, and how do we actually get what the alternatives might be so that $10 million really working with the Tasmanian Government to developing, and what those alternate routes might be, and working from there.
We’ve also announced some further money to really do that planning work, again, through Devonport to Cradle Mountain. What we know is that there is significant issues either to get people there, the road is not adequate, and so we’re increasing our commitment to $6.3 million to do that planning work again. To get a better understanding of how we actually can do the work to actually improve the roads that go to Cradle Mountain as well.
The other thing we’ve announced today, and Jess and I just went out and had a look at it just before we came here, is active transport. For the first time, we’ve had $100 million dedicated out of the Infrastructure Investment Program specifically for active transport. We know along many of our main roads, there just isn’t room for people to cycle safely, for people to work- walk their push- or walk their children in pushes, or to walk, or people on mobility scooters to get around. So a $1.3 million investment alongside Launceston City Council and also the Mersey Valley Council as well to do two active paths as well. So that’s part of the package that we’re here announcing today – a really significant investment in moving people around, but also training the next generation of seafarers. I can’t think of a better place to have been able to do that than the Australian Maritime College, which is a significant part of the eco-structure of training those seafarers into the future. I’m really happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Maybe firstly on the funding for the Tamar bridge …
CATHERINE KING: Yeah.
JOURNALIST: … that’s been an ongoing issue for years. We’ve already seen millions poured into feasibility studies and planning. A lot of locals would see this as just more money for more planning. When’s the planning actually going to end?
CATHERINE KING: Well, when the planning ends is when you actually have a plan – you know what it is that you’re actually going to build, you’ve done the geotech work to understand underground, what can you actually do, you’ve actually done what the route is, where you have to look at land acquisition, all of those things. And we are very serious about that. This is something that has been asked for by the Tasmanian Government and- wants that investment to try and make sure that this time we get it right. I don’t invest in planning money without then knowing that in the future, I am then going to be asked for construction money. But what we do first is put that planning money in, particularly because this will be a significant investment, a really significant investment. You don’t build a bridge for a small- that amount of money. It is a significant investment that will be required. But the planning money allows us to get an understanding of exactly what the costs are going to be going forward.
JOURNALIST: The Tasmanian Government put in a planning proposal to Infrastructure Australia last year for the bridge. So was that plan not good enough?
CATHERINE KING: Well, this isn’t- that wasn’t funded. That is a business case that they’ve put in. This is doing the actual work to plan the bridge. This is, you know, the structural elements that are needed in order to actually build a bridge.
JOURNALIST: And is this promised funding, like, already budgeted? Or is this an election [indistinct]?
CATHERINE KING: Yeah, this is already budgeted. Correct.
JOURNALIST: Is- I suppose, like- that funding [indistinct] a guarantee that the- I suppose, the Federal Government will also fund the [indistinct] bridge being built later on?
CATHERINE KING: Yeah. So what you’ve seen in the history of the reforms that I took to Infrastructure Australia and also the reforms I’ve taken to our infrastructure investment pipeline, which is the Government’s co-funding that we do with states and territories, is what I’ve done is reformed it so that we now have planning money. We’ve got a 10-year pipeline of projects from every state and territory coming forward. We’ve got a clear view about what the priorities are for each state and territory. We fund the planning, we get a good understanding of exactly what is needed, we do that detailed design work and then we look to then in subsequent budgets, put the money for construction. You don’t do planning without saying that, you’re actually then going to invest in the bridge later on.
JOURNALIST: How quickly would the Federal Government like the Tasmanian Government to get this planning completed?
CATHERINE KING: We always like things to be done as quickly as possible, but infrastructure, particularly big scale infrastructure, takes time. And we expect- we want that planning work to be done well. We want to make sure that we actually get a very- as I said, a very clear view of what the actual costs of the bridge will be, because it won’t be cheap. Let’s be realistic about that. It will be an expensive bridge to build.
JOURNALIST: And that $3.8 million extra for the Devonport to Cradle Mountain Corridor …
CATHERINE KING: Yeah.
JOURNALIST: …does that include a potential future cableway at Cradle Mountain?
CATHERINE KING: Well, what I fund out of the infrastructure Investment Program is land transport. So I fund road, and that’s really what I, as Transport and Infrastructure Minister, are- looking at. Obviously, if there is a request to build a- [indistinct] which had some previous money but really was substantially underfunded, realistically the amount of money that was allocated wasn’t going to go anywhere near actually building that. In order- if that is what the Tasmanian Government wants instead of the roads, then they’ll need to come and put forward a proposition to either me or to the Prime Minister about what that looks like. What this money will do is- really substantially looking at the road infrastructure, and how do you get people up there by car or bus.
JOURNALIST: And on the- maybe on the seafarers, that $16.9 million – so would that go directly to the AMC, or will it go to a shipping company?
CATHERINE KING: So we’re just working through that at the moment. Obviously, we will need to work both with shipping companies, with colleges and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, who also have the Jobs and Skills Australia, to look at how we can commission those berths. The money will need to obviously go to the shippers themselves to actually pay for the berths on the ships, but we just want to make sure we’ve got that pipeline well and truly ready there. We’ve seen a great surge of students here through the Australian Maritime College, but what we also want to do is make sure that we’re seeing continued- or we’re seen- to see a surge of students who’re actually wanting to do sea time to actually work on ships, not so much as well as the land side.
JOURNALIST: Realistically, then, how soon could seafarers have that on-sea training?
CATHERINE KING: Well, the money will be available shortly. But again, we’ve got to do that negotiation, and again, you’re seeing- you’ll get a chance to talk to some of the people from SeaLink who are really fantastic at providing sea time for trainees out of the college here. But we’ve still got to do a little bit of work in order to bring that online, but- realistically, the money is available now, but we’ll need to negotiate those berths through with each company.
JOURNALIST: And in terms of the, I suppose [indistinct] as well, how soon, kind of will- like, that money be made available?
CATHERINE KING: Again, it’ll be up to the Tasmanian Government. They have asked requested the money of us. We’re now saying that that is available. They have to put a project proposal report to me, and we’ll release that money once that report’s given to us.
JOURNALIST: And of what- like, you- I suppose I’m seeing of the highways on …
CATHERINE KING: Yeah.
JOURNALIST: … I suppose, on both sides of the Tamar – how crucial is that bridge?
CATHERINE KING: Well, I think it’s- one of the things that people talk about in Launceston particularly is that sort of bottleneck, that you’re really needing- having to go such a long way around to actually get across the river. And being able to make that second crossing feasible to really open up different parts, you’re seeing- a lot of people want to come to Tasmania to live. A lot of people want to- we’re seeing new housing estates pop up, and we’ve really got to make sure we can move people around this in a better way, and really, the second bridge crossing is about that, and so doing that planning work now in anticipation of building a new bridge.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Toby Murray, Professor of Cybersecurity, School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne
In July last year, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, directed tech companies to develop codes of practice to keep children safe from online porn and harmful content. Now, after seven months, the industry has submitted draft codes to eSafety for approval.
eSafety is currently assessing the draft codes.
Assuming Grant approves the new codes, what can we expect the future to look like for children and teens online? And how effective will the proposed codes be at protecting children?
They cover social media platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat. But they also cover internet service providers, search engines such as Google, online messaging services such as WhatsApp, online gaming platforms, as well as the manufacturers of the computers, mobile phones and software we use to access online services.
The codes will also cover online app stores such as those operated by Apple and Google. However, app store codes aren’t expected to be released until late March.
As well as covering a range of companies, the codes also cover a range of harms. They aim to protect kids not only from online pornography but also content that promotes self-harm, eating disorders, suicide and violence.
Given the difficulty of protecting kids from this kind of content, this coordinated approach is absolutely essential.
If the draft codes are approved, companies will have six months to implement the proposed safety measures. They will face fines of up to A$50 million for non-compliance.
What’s in store?
The draft codes are broken up across different parts of the tech ecosystem. The requirements they place on individual tech platforms depend on the danger harmful content on each platform poses to children.
Large social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) are likely to be categorised among the most dangerous. That’s because it’s possible for users to access extremely harmful content such as child sexual abuse or terrorist material on these platforms. Plus, these platforms serve millions of people and also allow users to create public profiles, maintain “friend” lists, and share content widely.
According to the draft codes, these platforms will need to implement the most stringent safety measures. These include using age-assurance measures to prevent children under the minimum age allowed to access the service from doing so, having an appropriately resourced trust and safety team, and using automated systems to detect and remove child abuse and pro-terror material.
On the other hand, less risky platforms won’t be subject to any requirements under the draft codes. These include online platforms that allow only limited communication within a specific group of people and without social media features such as friends lists and public profiles. Platforms for communication within a primary school such as Compass would be among the least risky.
Online search engines such as Google and Bing – which provide access to adult and self-harm content, but are legitimately used by children – will be required to implement appropriate measures to prevent children accessing that content.
This may include enabling safe-search features and establishing child-user accounts. These accounts would include features that automatically blur harmful content and filter such content from search results and recommendation algorithms
The codes also cover emerging harmful technology, such as deepfake porn apps powered by generative artificial intelligence. Like traditional porn sites, these will be required to implement age-assurance technology to prevent children using these services.
What about age assurance?
The codes specifically define what age-assurance measures are considered “appropriate”.
Importantly, just because an age-checking system can be bypassed doesn’t disqualify it. Instead, age assurance measures must include “reasonable steps” to ensure someone is of age, while balancing privacy concerns.
Requiring users to self-declare their age is not appropriate. So expect to see porn sites do away with click-through dialogs asking visitors to declare they are really adults.
Instead, sites will have a range of options for assuring their users’ ages, including photo ID, estimating age based on facial images or video, having a parent attest to a child’s age, leveraging credit card checks, or AI-based methods for age inference.
Different measures are likely to be used by different companies and systems.
For example, Apple has already announced a range of new child safety measures that appear to align with many parts of the draft codes. These include making it easier for parents to set up child safety features on kids’ iPads and iPhones, using a parent’s payment information to ensure they can safely attest to their child’s age, as well as app store integration of child safety features to enable app developers to make their apps safer for children.
On the other hand, adult sites and apps are likely to adopt age-assurance mechanisms that users perceive to be more private. For paying subscribers, they are likely to leverage the credit information already stored to assure the users’ age.
Non-subscribers may instead be required to submit to a facial scan or other AI-based methods to estimate their age.
Publicly available data on state-of-the-art systems for age estimation from facial images suggests the best systems have an average error of 3.7 years.
Whether eSafety will agree such technology is “appropriate” remains to be seen. However, if it is adopted, there is a real risk many teens will remain able to access online porn and harmful deepfake apps despite these new codes.
Toby Murray receives funding from Google. He is director of the Defence Science Institute, which receives funding from Victorian and Tasmanian state governments, and from the Commonwealth Department of Defence.
Hard on the heels of Donald Trump’s dismantling of USAID, the United Kingdom has ripped more than A$12 billion (£6 billion) from its foreign assistance budget.
The double hit from two of the globe’s biggest contributors to international development has been branded a betrayal of poorer countries that will cost lives.
What does this mean for Australia as we head towards the federal election?
Australia is different
Australia’s aid context is strikingly different.
International development is deeply integrated in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and can’t easily be pulled apart. There is no separate aid agency to target.
Recent experience also reminds us why it is unwise to cut overseas assistance. When the Abbott government made major cuts to development spending, other actors including China quickly filled the vacuum throughout the Pacific.
Most importantly, more than 20 of Australia’s regional neighbours are developing countries. This means an adequate overseas aid budget is non-negotiable if we want to exert influence throughout the region.
At a minimum, both the Labor Party and the Coalition should commit to maintaining current levels of development assistance.
If you want to see how every dollar of Australia’s overseas aid is being spent, you can visit the transparency portal on the DFAT website. The portal outlines each investment, which includes peace building in Sri Lanka, countering people trafficking in Vietnam, preventing foot and mouth disease in Indonesia, and disaster preparedness across the Pacific.
This is cost-effective spending: dealing with the aftermath of a crisis is massively more expensive than the relatively small outlays needed to prevent them from happening in the first place. By way of contrast, the budget for defence is $48 billion each year compared to less than $5 billion for preventive spending on development.
New opportunities
Initial reaction to the severe foreign aid cuts focused on how China and Russia could benefit from the void left by Washington and London. But it is now being recognised that their shortsightedness may provide a golden geopolitical opportunity for Australia.
It is an opportunity that could be seized upon by whoever wins the election.
Think back to the Boxing Day tsunami, when John Howard’s response transformed the relationship with Indonesia and led to the formation of the Quad grouping.
When the US withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in 2017, Japan stepped up and showed the leadership needed to conclude negotiations. With Australia’s support, the deal went ahead and is now one of the largest free-trade agreements in the world. Major achievements can still be made even without the involvement of the US.
We are now faced with a similar moment. While Australia cannot compete with the scale of US and UK international development, there is much it can do across the region and throughout the broader global system.
What Australia can do
If Australia was to think big, it would announce that it will elevate funding for overseas aid from its current level of 0.68% of the federal budget to 1% over the next two to three years.
This would generate positive worldwide coverage and differentiate Australia for a relatively small investment. John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard were all able to keep the international development budget at more than 1%, so it’s not impossible.
There is a perception that a much larger slice of the budget pie currently goes to development assistance. The average Australian believes we spend 14% of the budget helping out our neighbours. In reality the outlay is less than 70 cents per $100.
Even a smaller increase for emergency funding could be very meaningful. The impact of the US 90-day pause on foreign assistance has been immediate, with charities and contractors left with no income and forced to let staff go and shutter offices. There is a real risk some international aid charities won’t survive the freeze. Emergency funding is needed to stave off collapse and stop the loss of specialist skills.
At the global level, Australia could help to maintain the essential humanitarian work of organisations like the World Food Programme, UNAIDS, UNHCR and the World Health Organisation, which may face existential funding crises.
Australia’s national interest
Australia’s security, stability and prosperity depend on both the region and cultivating wider relationships.
We could use this moment to partner with critical countries in the Pacific and South East Asia to preserve the programs most at risk. Australia could also build deeper relationships with other donors like Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Canada, and EU members and institutions.
There are many competing priorities in the budget process, so foreign aid is never an easy sell. But there will be international praise for Australian leadership, including from the US and the UK, if Australian aid helps maintain Western presence in key geopolitical arenas. It would be a diplomatic win and very much in Australia’s interest.
Now is the time for Australia to announce the steps it will take to preserve and even increase development aid as one of the key tools of statecraft to create a world that Australians want to live in.
Melissa Conley Tyler is Executive Director at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D), an initiative funded by the foreign affairs and defence portfolios and hosted by the Australian Council for International Development..
Source: The Conversation – USA – By John W. Daily, Research Professor in Thermo Fluid Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder
The wind and terrain can quickly change how a fire, like this one near Los Angeles in January 2025, behaves.AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
When wildfires break out, fire crews count on fire-spotting technology and computer models to help them understand the rapidly changing environment.
That technology has evolved over the years, yet some techniques are very similar to those used over 100 years ago.
I have spent several decades studying combustion, including wildfire behavior and the technology used to track fires and predict where wildfires might turn. Here’s a quick tour of the key technologies used today.
Spotting fires faster
First, the fire must be discovered.
Often wildfires are reported by people seeing smoke. That hasn’t changed, but other ways fires are spotted have evolved.
In the early part of the 20th century, the newly established U.S. Forest Service built fire lookout towers around the country. The towers were topped by cabins with windows on all four walls and provided living space for the fire lookouts. The system was motivated by the Great Fire of 1910 that burned 3 million acres in Washington, Idaho and Montana and killed 87 people.
Before satellites, fire crews watched for smoke from fire towers across the national forests. K. D. Swan, U.S. Forest Service
Today, cameras watch over many high-risk areas. California has more than 1,100 cameras watching for signs of smoke. Artificial intelligence systems continuously analyze the images to provide data for firefighters to quickly respond. AI is a way to train a computer program to recognize repetitive patterns: smoke plumes in the case of fire.
Once a fire is spotted, one immediate task for firefighting teams is to estimate how the fire is going to behave so they can deploy their limited firefighting resources most effectively.
Fire managers have seen many fires and have a sense of the risks their regions face. Today, they also have computer simulations that combine data about the terrain, the materials burning and the weather to help predict how a fire is likely to spread.
Fuel models
Fuel models are based on the ecosystem involved, using fire history and laboratory testing. In Southern California, for example, much of the wildland fuel is chaparral, a type of shrubland with dense, rocky soil and highly flammable plants in a Mediterranean climate. Chaparral is one of the fastest-burning fuel types, and fires can spread quickly in that terrain.
For human-made structures, things are a bit more complex. The materials a house is made of – if it has wood siding, for example – and the environment around it, such as how close it is to trees or wooden fences, play an important role in how likely it is to burn and how it burns.
How scientists study fire behavior in a lab.
Weather and terrain
Terrain is also important because it influences local winds and because fire tends to run faster uphill than down. Terrain data is well known thanks to satellite imagery and can easily be incorporated into computer codes.
Weather plays another critical role in fire behavior. Fires need oxygen to burn, and the windier it is, the more oxygen is available to the fire. High winds also tend to generate embers from burning vegetation that can be blown up to 5 miles in the highest winds, starting spot fires that can quickly spread.
Today, large computer simulations can forecast the weather. There are global models that cover the entire Earth and local models that cover smaller areas but with better resolution that provides greater detail.
Both provide real-time data on the weather for creating fire behavior simulations.
Modeling how flames spread
Flame-spread models can then estimate the likely movement of a fire.
Scientists build these models by studying past fires and conducting laboratory experiments, combined with mathematical models that incorporate the physics of fire. With local terrain, fuel and real-time weather information, these simulations can help fire managers predict a fire’s likely behavior.
Examples of how computer modeling can forecast a fire’s spread. American Physical Society.
Advanced modeling can account for fuel details such as ground-level plant growth and tree canopies, including amount of cover, tree height and tree density. These models can estimate when a fire will reach the tree canopy and how that will affect the fire’s spread.
Forecasting helps, but wind can change fast
All these tools are made available to firefighters in computer applications and can help fire crews as they respond to wildfires.
However, wind can rapidly change speed or direction, and new fires can start in unexpected places, meaning fire managers know they have to be prepared for many possible scenarios – not just the likely outcomes they see on their computer screens.
Ultimately, during a fire, firefighting strategy is based on human judgment informed by experience, as well as science and technology.
John W. Daily receives funding from the Department of Defense for wildland fire research. He is affiliated with the Combustion Institute and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is a Fellow of both organizations.
The craze for winter sports has fueled tourism in China’s ice city of Harbin, with the number of tourist arrivals growing 9.7 percent year on year to over 90 million during the 2024-2025 winter season.
As one of China’s top winter tourism destinations, Harbin, the capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, saw its tourism sector rake in 137.22 billion yuan (about 19 billion U.S. dollars) from Nov. 8, 2024, to Feb. 28, 2025, up 16.6 percent year on year, according to Harbin’s culture and tourism bureau.
The number of international visitors to Harbin, in particular, surged 94.2 percent compared to the last winter season, driven by an influx of tourists from Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and ASEAN countries, the bureau said.
Harbin has ignited a fervor for ice and snow tourism on Chinese social media this winter, since the opening of the 41st Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on Jan. 5.
Attractions such as Harbin Ice-Snow World, the Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, Central Avenue, St. Sophia Cathedral and the Siberian Tiger Park, alongside the festival, were among the most popular tourist destinations. Notably, Harbin Ice-Snow World welcomed a record-breaking 3.56 million visitors during its 68 days of operations.
The ninth Asian Winter Games and a series of test events held in Harbin also contributed to the tourism surge. The city has built more than 500 ice-and-snow sports venues, and 15 local ski resorts have upgraded their facilities, entertaining spectators and athletes from around the world.
Cultural venues such as the Harbin Museum and the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army also experienced increased visitor traffic.
China has unveiled an ambitious plan to develop its ice and snow economy as a new economic driver, targeting a total market size of 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030, according to a guideline released by the State Council in 2024.
Leveraging the opportunity, Harbin is implementing a slew of market regulation and tourist guidance measures to continue optimizing its tourism experience, unleashing greater economic momentum for its ice and snow resources.
Source: The White House
class=”has-text-align-center”>Roosevelt Room
2:38 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. This is a very big day for a lot of reasons, but this gentleman is a very unique man. I think I can say, in the world of chips, certainly, but in the world pretty much of business, nobody has done what he’s done. For those of you that are into that world, you would say, “Wow, he’s a legend.” But he is a legend. And it’s an honor to be with you. Very great honor. Thank you very much.
MR. WEI: Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.
Welcoming, from TSMC — which is the biggest there is, at a level that you can’t even calculate, frankly — C.C. Wei, to the White House for a very historic announcement. This is a tremendous thing for our country and, hopefully, for his company.
We’re also pleased to be joined by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House AI and crypto czar, David Sacks, another two very highly respected people. It’s great to have you guys involved. And, David, thank you very much for coming on.
David is sort of the king of intellect in that world. We have some good people. Today, Taiwan Semiconductor is announcing that they will be investing at least $100 billion dollars in new capital in the United States over the next short period of time to build state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing facilities. I think, mostly, it’s going to be in Arizona, which is what I understand, which is a great state. I like it because I won it. But I won most of them — (laughs) — actually. So — but I did. We won it, and we won it big.
The most powerful AI chips in the world will be made right here in America, and it’ll be a big percentage of the chips made by his company. But, as you know, they’re based mostly in Taiwan. And they’re far and away the biggest. There’s nobody even close.
This $100 billion in new investment will go into building five cutting-edge fabrication facilities in the great state that we just discussed, Arizona, and will create thousands of jobs — many thousands of jobs, and they’re high-paying jobs. In total, today’s announcement brings Taiwan Semiconductor investments to about $165 billion — they’ve started already — among the largest new foreign direct investments in United States.
Apple, as you know, made a big announcement last week of $500 billion, and we have some others that have announced.
We have many that want to announce. But I don’t have time to do all of these announcements, I tell you. But, for you, I’m doing the announcement.
MR. WEI: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: This will create hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity and boost America’s dominance in artificial intelligence and beyond.
Semiconductors are the backbone of the 21st century economy — and, really, without the semiconductors, there is no economy — powering everything from AI to automobiles to advanced manufacturing. And we must be able to build the chips and semiconductors that we need right here, in American factories, with American skill and American labor. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.
As you know, Taiwan pretty much has a monopoly on that market. And I think “pretty much” is not a term that’s even appropriate. They do have a monopoly. And this is a tremendous move by the most powerful company in the world.
It’s a matter of economic security. It’s also a matter of national security for us. And, at the same time, Mr. Wei will be able to diversify and have his tremendous presence in another place and a very safe place. And I want to thank Taiwan Semiconductor for doing the announcement.
And I’d like to ask Mr. Wei to say a few words, if you might.
And I’d also like to ask Howard and David — you can say a couple of words. But maybe you should go first because, right now, he’s the most important man in the room. I’m sorry, fellas.
Please.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Great honor.
MR. WEI: Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
MR. WEI: I’m a — I’m a little bit nervous, so I have to pull out my piece of paper.
Mr. President, Secretary Lutnick — and, David, I didn’t know that — your title, but — okay.
First, I want to thank — say thank you to Mr. President to give me this opportunity to announce our big project in the U.S.
TSMC is the world’s largest chip manufacturing, founded by Dr. Morris Chang in 1987. It’s now at the forefront of semiconductor technology, supporting AI advancement and industry growth.
In fact, I would like to wind back the time that in 2020 we have to thank President Trump’s vision and his support. So, TSMC start the journey of establishing the advanced chip manufacturing in Arizona. And now, let me proudly say, now the vision become reality.
In Phoenix, Arizona, with 3,000 employees, we are producing the most advanced chip made on U.S. soil with the success of our first fab.
So, we are now very happy to announce we are going to invest additional 100 billion U.S. dollar in addition to our current 65-billion-U.S.-dollars investment in Arizona. We are going to build three more new fab — be- — after we promised the three fabs already, and another two very advanced packaging fab, and, most important, an R&D center, also in Arizona.
For this, all the investment — $165 billion — is going to create thousand of the high-paid job, as the president just announced. And we are, most important — actually, we are going to produce many AI chips. We are going to produce many chips to support AI’s progress and to support the smartphone’s progress. And, again, with that, I want to thank President Trump again for his support. In addition, I also want to thank my customers in the U.S., such as Apple, Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm, Broadcom. They all support TSMC’s manufacturing in the U.S. Without their support, we probably cannot make it true.
So, again, I want to thank them. Also, I’d like to thank the TSMC’s employee. Without their effort, we just cannot make it today.
That’s all I want to say. And thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. That’s great. (Applause.) Thank you very much.
Howard, please. David.
SECRETARY LUTNICK: Sure.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
SECRETARY LUTNICK: So, I’m thrilled to be here today, because President Trump has made it a fundamental objective to bring semiconductor chip manufacturing home to America.
Under the Biden administration, TSMC received a $6 billion grant, and that encouraged them to build $65 billion. So, America gave TSMC 10 percent of the money to build here. And now you’re seeing the power of Donald Trump’s presidency, because TSMC, the greatest manufacturer of chips in the world, is coming to America with $100 billion investment. And, of course, that is backed by the fact that they can come here because they can avoid paying tariffs.
So, the idea is: Come to America. Build greatness in America. Build for the American customers — the Apple, Nvidia, that whole list that Chairman Wei gave — in order to bring production to America. So, we’re really, really excited. This continues the most incredible path you’ve ever seen, in these first weeks and months of the Trump administration, of incredible manufacturing coming to America. The keys that the president has called out are coming here. They’re coming here in huge size because they want to be in the greatest market in the world, and they want to avoid the tariffs that, if they’re not here, they’d have to suffer.
So, I want to congratulate C.C. Wei for bringing in this incredible $100 billion investment, but it’s on the shoulders of our president, Donald Trump, which is why he’s coming.
So, thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
David.
MR. SACKS: Thank you, sir. Well, the products that TSMC makes are literally the most important products in the world. I mean, these advanced chips power everything. They power AI. They power your phone. They power your cars. And without them, the whole modern economy would stop, but they’re not made in the United States.
So, for TSMC to move here is a huge, huge development, and we owe that to President Trump’s leadership on the economy and Secretary Lutnick as well. And, C.C., thank you for — for coming here.
Thank you. Yeah.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, David.
So, thank you very much. A big percentage of chips with this investment will be made now — a big percentage. Worldwide, we had very little. Almost none. We used to have a lot with Intel. But we had very little. And we’ll be at close to 40 percent of the market with this transaction and a couple of others that we’re doing. That’s a tremendous leap — like, a leap that nobody would have really said was possible.
So, I just want to thank you all for being here. If you want a couple of questions.
(Cross-talk.)
Q On the —
THE PRESIDENT: Ideally on this subject.
Yes, please.
Q — specific number of jobs it will create. He said thousands —
THE PRESIDENT: They — yeah.
Q — but do you have a better —
THE PRESIDENT: They — you’re probably talking about 25,000 jobs. But it’ll get bigger and bigger with time. Knowing this gentleman, it’ll get bigger and bigger. There’ll be no stopping him. (Laughs.)
Q Mr. President, what more —
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. Brian, go ahead.
Q Right. In addition to the jobs, you talked about national security, and that’s one thing I think a lot of Americans —
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q — at home don’t understand. Explain the national security aspect of this.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, without the chips and semiconductors, nothing runs today. You can’t buy a car without them. You can’t get a radio, a television, nothing — you can’t get anything. And we thought it was very important — obviously, business was, but we thought even to terms of national security, to have this large percentage of the chips, semiconductors, and other things that they make — the most important product, and not a product that you can really copy. It takes years and years.
You’re on the needle of a pin is total genius. I mean, they can put things — I mean, something the size of the needle, the point of a pin, they put information that is just not even believable.
So, if you would —
(Cross-talk.)
If you would see this, it’s just really something.
Yes, Brian.
Q Can I — one — one more aspect to that. Honda —
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q — announced they’re coming to Indiana because of the tariffs. Once again —
THE PRESIDENT: That’s right.
Q — you’re bringing additional jobs in manufacturing. Do you want to comment on that as well?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Honda is coming, and I told you about Apple, that they’re going to be starting to build massively here — $500 billion. And we have many other companies. It’s going to be announced, but we had many that have already announced. And no, it’s going to be great. It’s looking — it’s looking really strong. I don’t think this country has ever seen anything like we’re seeing right now.
Now, the tariffs, as you know, it will start a week earlier than the reciprocal, which is going to be on — a couple of weeks earlier. Reciprocal tariffs start on April 2nd. And I wanted to make it April 1st, but I didn’t want to do — I didn’t want to go April Fool’s Day — (laughter) — because that cost me — that costs a lot of money, but — that one day. So, we’re going April 2nd.
But very importantly, tomorrow, tariffs — 25 percent on Canada and 25 percent on Mexico, and that’ll start. So, they’re going to have to have a tariff. So, what they’ll have to do is build their car plants, frankly, and other things in the United States — in which case, they have no tariffs. In other words, you build — and this is exactly what Mr. Wei is doing by building here. Otherwise, they’ll build — if they did them in Taiwan to send them here, they’ll have 25 percent or 30 percent or 50 percent or whatever the number may be someday. It’ll go only up. But by doing it here, he has no tariffs, so he’s way ahead of the game.
And I would just say this to people in Canada or Mexico, if they’re going to build car plants, the people that are doing them are much better off building here, because we have the market. We’re the market where they sell the most.
And so, I think it’s going to be very exciting. Very exciting for the automobile companies. Very exciting for — I can think of any — as an example, North Carolina, they had the great — I used to go there to buy furniture for hotels, and it’s been wiped out. That business all went to other countries, and now it’s all going to come back into North Carolina — the furniture manufacturing business.
Please.
Q Mr. President —
Q Is the Ukraine minerals deal now dead, or can it be revived? What — what’s your —
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I’ll let you know. We’re making a speech — you probably heard about it — tomorrow night, so I’ll let you know tomorrow night.
But, no, I don’t think so. I think it’s — look, it’s a great deal for us, because, you know, Biden very, very, foolishly — stupidly, frankly — gave $300 billion and — $350 billion, more accurately — to a country to fight and to try and do things. And you know what happened? We get nothing. We get nothing — just gave it.
We could have rebuilt our entire U.S. Navy with $350 billion. Think of it. Three hundred and fifty billion, we could have rebuilt our U.S. Navy.
So, he gave it away as fast as the money could be gone. And what we’re doing is getting that all back and a lot more than that. And what we need — it’s very important for this business that we’re talking about here, with chips and semiconductors and everything else — we need rare earths. And the deal we have is we have the finest rare earths that you can.
Q Sir, on Ukraine. Sir, on Ukraine.
Q Are you going to press back —
Q Thank you, Mr. President. What do you need to see from President Zelenskyy to restart these negotiations?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I just think he should be more appreciative, because this country has stuck with them through thick and thin. We’ve given them much more than Europe, and Europe should have given more than us, because, as you know, that’s right there. That’s the border.
This country really was like the fence on the border. It was very important to Europe. And I’m not knocking Europe, I’m saying they’re just — they were a lot smarter than Joe Biden, because Joe Biden didn’t have a clue. He just gave money hand over a fist, and they should have been able to equalize with us.
In other words, if we gave a dollar, they should have given. Well, we gave $350 billion. They probably gave 100, but on top of it all, they get their money back, because they are doing it in the form of a loan, and it’s a secured loan.
So, when I saw that, which I’ve known about for a little while, I said, “It’s time for us to be smart.” At the same time, it’s great for them, because they get us in the country taking the rare earth, which is going to fuel this big engine, and especially the engine that we’ve, in a very short time, created. And we get something, and we’re in the — we’re there. We have a presence there.
With all of that being said, I want one thing to happen: I want all of those young people to stop being killed. They’re being killed by the thousands every single week. Last week, 2,700 were killed. Twenty-seven hundred young — in this case, just about, all young boys from Ukraine and from Russia. And that’s not young people from the United States, but it’s on a human basis.
I want to see it stop. The money is one thing, but the death. And they’re losing thousands of soldiers a week, and that’s not including the people that get killed every time a town goes down or a missile goes into a town.
(Cross-talk.)
We — and — and I want to see it stop.
Yes.
Q Mr. President, are you considering canceling military aid to Ukraine? And can we get a reaction to what the Kremlin just said, that your administration is bringing U.S. worldview in alignment with Moscow’s?
THE PRESIDENT: So, this is a deal that should have never happened. This is a deal that would have never happened, and it didn’t happen — for four years, it didn’t happen. It was never even close to happening. If I were president, would not have happened. And October 7th would have — would not have happened in Israel. And inflation wouldn’t have happened.
And Afghanistan, disastrous — the way they withdrew — not the fact that they withdrew but the way they withdrew — would have never happened. And we would have had Bagram right now instead of China having it. It was one hour away from where China makes their nuclear weapons. We would have kept Bagram — one of the biggest air bases in the world.
All of these things happened, and it’s a shame. But it is what it is, and now we’re here. I want to see it end fast. I don’t want to see this go on for years and years.
Now, President Zelenskyy supposedly made a statement today in AP — I’m not a big fan of AP, so maybe it was an incorrect statement — but he said he thinks the war is going to go on for a long time, and he better not be right about that. That’s all I’ll say.
Q Mr. President, is there any —
Q Could this project — could this minimize the impact of the U.S. with chips should China decide to isolate Taiwan or China decide to take Taiwan?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, it’s a very interesting point. It’s a great question, actually. But this would certainly — I can’t say “minimize.” That would be a catastrophic event, obviously. But it will at least give us a position where we have — in this very, very important business, we would have a very big part of it in the United States. So, it would have a big impact if something should happen with Taiwan.
Q And with Russia sanctions, are you looking at relieving Russian sanctions if there is a peace deal?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’re going to make deals with everybody to get this war, including Europe and European nations. And they’ve acted very well. You know, they’re good people. I know; most of them are friends of mine — the heads of state, the heads of the various countries, prime ministers from the different — I got four prime ministers and five presidents called me over the last two days, and they want to work it out. They want to get it worked out.
And I think they’re also — you know, they’re talking money, but the money is less important than the deaths. We’re talking thousands of young people a week. And people would say why do I care about Ukraine, young people; why do I care about — and not all young, but they’re pretty young. You know, Ukraine is running a little bit low, and they’re getting older. They’re recruiting older people. It’s a very, very sad thing that’s happening over there, and we want to get it finished. We want to stop the death.
(Cross-talk.)
Q Mr. President, on the tariffs. Is there any room left for Canada and Mexico to make a deal before midnight? And should we expect those Chinese tariffs, the extra 10 percent to take effect tomorrow?
THE PRESIDENT: No room left for Mexico or for Canada. No, the tariffs, you know, they’re all set. They go into effect tomorrow.
Q Mr. President, just a follow-up on my colleague’s question. Hearing —
THE PRESIDENT: And just so you understand, vast amounts of fentanyl have poured into our country from Mexico and, as you know, also from China, where it goes to Mexico and goes to Canada. And China also had an additional 10, so it’s 10 plus 10.
And it comes in from Canada, and it comes in from Mexico, and that’s a very important thing to say.
Yeah, please. Go ahead.
Q Have you decided if you’re going to suspend military aid to Ukraine? Have you made that decision?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I haven’t even talked about that right now. I mean, right now, we’ll see what happens. A lot of things are happening right now, as we speak — I mean, literally as we speak. I could give you an answer and go back to my office — the beautiful Oval Office. I could go back into the Oval Office and find out that the answer is obsolete.
It’s like his business. It’s obsolete. You come up with a new chip, and it’s obsolete about two minutes later, right? But that’s what’s good about his business. That’s why he’s the only one that’s successful in it. But —
Q And on tariffs, sir.
Q Mr. President, just to follow up my colleague’s question from Russia is saying that your foreign policy is largely in line with their vision. Should that be concerning to Americans?
THE PRESIDENT: Said what?
Q Should that be concerning to Americans?
THE PRESIDENT: Read the statement.
Q That Russia — Russia says that your administration’s foreign policy is, quote, “largely in line” with their vision.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I tell you what, I think it takes two to tango, and you’re going to have to make a deal with Russia, and you’re going to have to make a deal with Ukraine. You’re going to have to have the ascent, and you’re going to have to have the consent from the European nations, because I think that’s important, and from us.
I think everybody has to get into a room, so to speak, and we have to make a deal. And the deal could be made very fast. It should not be that hard a deal to make. It could be made very fast.
Now, maybe somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, and if somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long. That person will not be listened to very long. Because I believe that Russia wants to make a deal. I believe, certainly, the people of Ukraine want to make a deal. They’ve suffered more than anybody else. We talk about suffering — they’ve suffered.
But if you think about it, under President Bush, they got Georgia, right? Russia got Georgia. Under President Obama, they got a nice, big submarine base, a nice big chunk of land where they have their submarines. You know that, right? Crimea. Under President Trump, they got nothing. And under President O-Biden, they tried to get the whole thing. They tried to get the whole big Ukraine, the whole thing. If I didn’t get in here, they would’ve gotten the whole thing.
So, I can only say — you can go back to Bush, you go back to Obama, and go back to Biden — they took a lot. The only one they didn’t get — you know what I gave them? I gave them anti-tank missiles. That’s what I gave them. I gave them sanctions on Russia — on Russia. I gave them Javelins. You know the Javelins? You know when they took out all those tanks?
You know, the tanks were heading to Kyiv by the hundreds, and they were unstoppable, and I gave them Javelins.
So, you know, I really — Putin is the one that will tell you this has not been so good for them. The fact is that I just want fairness. I want fairness.
But think of it. I gave Russia nothing except grief. I gave them nothing. I gave them sanctions and Javelins. That’s what I gave them.
Obama gave them sheets. And you heard that statement before. It’s a very famous — Trump gave them Javelins, and Obama gave them sheets. And then they say how close I am to Russia.
Let me tell you, we have to make a deal, because there are a lot of people being killed that shouldn’t be killed. But remember, Trump gave them nothing, and the other presidents gave them a lot. They gave them everything.
Q Mr. President, on trade. You met with president — Argentine President Javier Milei at CPAC. He wants to sign a free trade agreement —
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q — with the United States. Is that something that you would consider, even with Argentina, or any other country?
THE PRESIDENT: I’ll consider anything. And Argentina — I think he’s great, by the way. I think he’s a great leader. He’s doing a great job. He’s doing a fantastic job. Brought it back from oblivion.
Yeah, we’ll look at things. We’re looking at the UK with things. It doesn’t have to be tariffs. But tariffs are easy, they’re fast, they’re efficient, and they bring fairness.
For instance, when people kill their dollar, their equivalent of the dollar, whatever — whether it’s the yuan or the yen in Japan or the yuan in China — when they drop them down, that gives us — that puts us at a very unfair disadvantage. So, all I have to do is say, “Howard, we’re going to have to raise the tariffs a little bit.”
Because I’ve called President Xi, I’ve called the leaders of Japan to say, “You can’t continue to reduce and break down your currency. You can’t do it, because it’s unfair to us.” It’s very hard for us to make tractors — Caterpillar — here, when Japan, China, and other places are killing their currency, meaning driving it down.
So, all of these things add up, and the way you solve it very easily is with tariffs. Because when they do that, instead of having to make phone calls every day, like I used to do with certain leaders — President Xi, a little bit — a lot of phone calls talking about the fact that they’re lowering their yuan. They’re lowering it down. And that makes it very, very hard for us.
So, this way, I just say, “Look, let them do that, and we make up for it with the tariffs.” But —
Q Will you be speaking with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum about tariffs today?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, sure, I will. I have a lot of respect for her. I have a lot of respect for her.
(Cross-talk.)
Q After the 10 percent tariff take ef- —
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q — takes effect, it’ll be 20 percent on China now. How high are you willing to go against China?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I can’t say. It depends on what they do with their currency. It depends on what they do in terms of a retaliation with some kind of an economic retaliation, which I don’t think they’re going to retaliate too much.
Hey, look, the United States has been taken advantage of for 40 years. The United States has been a laughing stock for years and years. That’s why this gentleman has built in Taiwan, instead of building here. It would have been better if he built here.
If we had a president that knew what they were doing — and we had a lot of them very bad on trade. Look, I’m a huge fan of Ronald Reagan, but he was bad on trade. Very bad on trade. He allowed a lot of people, a lot of businesses, to be taken. So, I say that with due respect, because I — he was so great on other things, but he was bad on trade.
We are setting records right now — records like nobody has ever seen before. When you have companies like this coming in and almost 40 percent of their company, in one signature, is going to be devoted to what he does, which is one of the most important — important businesses in the world, that’s an unbelievable thing. When Apple now is going to start building all of their plants here, all because of what we’ve done in terms of — it’s not because he likes me or they like me. They don’t probably like me at all. I don’t know. I think he likes me a little bit, at least. (Laughter.)
MR. WEI: No, I like you.
THE PRESIDENT: But you know what? It’s the incentive we’ve created or the negative incentive. I mean, it’s going to be very costly for people to take advantage of this country. They can’t come in and steal our money and steal our jobs and take our factories and take our businesses and expect not to be punished, and they’re being punished by tariffs.
It’s a very powerful weapon that politicians haven’t used because they were either dishonest, stupid, or paid off in some other form. And now we’re using them.
Q Have you spoken with President Xi?
Q Agriculture —
THE PRESIDENT: Say it.
Q Have you spoken with President Xi about this this term?
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t want to tell you that.
Q On those incentives, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everybody.
(Cross-talk.)
Thank you. Thank you very much.
END 3:07 P.M. EST
Parliament didn’t sit last week, so your property was safe. ACT’s MPs were out, including at the Northland Field Days, Auckland’s Round the Bays, and holding public meetings as far south as Invercargill. This Thursday David Seymour and Todd Stephenson are holding a public meeting in Queenstown,details here, and on Friday Simon Court is in Hokitika,details here.
The Week the World Changed
Lots changed last week, or at least long-telegraphed changes were spelled out more in neon lights than dots and dashes. New Zealand’s insularity is famous, if there was a nuclear war in Europe theHeraldwould still lead with Auckland property prices, or whether the All Blacks will be free-to-air.
Insularity is all fine, most of the world is a hellhole most of the time anyway. But insularity can’t protect us from all hells, and some of them have got closer in the last week.
The protection we’ve had from the seas and friendly navies is ebbing away, even though we’ve relied on it since humans arrived here.
Part I: Nobody else could get here.
Part II: Only the British could get here.
Part III: Only the Americans could get here.
Depending on your perspective, the British part might be a mixed blessing, but on the whole we’ve built one of the most successful societies in history with little care for our security.
If that changes, we’re going to have very different things to think and worry about. We’ll have to think about confronting others who want to dominate and perhaps kill us for the first time in generations. Even theHeraldwill need to sharpen up.
The Trump-Zelensky-Vance conflagration was extraordinary. Trump is elected and the U.S. is a sovereign nation. They can act however they like, so we’re not passing judgement. We’re just trying to think through what it means for our sovereign nation. We don’t think there’s enough public debate about this to be ready for the world we’re entering.
After World War I the U.S. went isolationist, when World War II began the German Army was ten times larger than theirs. By the time they had U-Boats off the Eastern seaboard and planes bombing Hawaii, they were arming up again.
After World War II they decided to keep policing the world. It led to an extraordinary period of peace and prosperity (maybe it will be known as the second Elizabethan era, after QEII). Now the Americans are out of that game again. The Oval Office conflagration was perhaps just the neon-lit spelling out of something that’s been coming a long time.
Add that together with the Chinese ‘taskforce’ of three ships (and one sub?). It was not extraordinary, it just hasn’t happened here for a couple of generations. Ships that could easily rain down munitions on New Zealand cities, with there being little we can do about it, is a new thing to living New Zealanders. Perhaps nuclear-powered American ships weren’t that bad after all?
The Cook Islands appear to be shifting their allegiance or at least trying to eat their cake and have it, too. Their comprehensive strategic partnership with the Chinese Government appears to open the Cooks up to Chinese investment and development, as well as resource extraction. It might allow a workforce of Chinese nationals in the Cooks that would give the Chinese Government reason to ‘protect’ them. That would be a crisis.
From a defence and security point of view, the Cook’s gambit is a stationary version of the ships. The Chinese Government is asserting that the South Pacific is in their sphere of influence, and that’s a different proposition from the democratic British or Americans doing it.
It all adds up to our country needing to change footing. Muldoon once said ‘New Zealanders will never vote on foreign affairs.’ We’ve been shielded, but as our shields ebb away, we will need to change our stance.
A lot of questions become much clearer.
Could we afford to ban oil and gas exploration?
Could we afford to shut the country down for an extravagantly long time over COVID?
Could we afford to create a binary state based on a false interpretation of the Treaty?
The answer was always no, but now there is another reason why.
The New Zealand project needs to sort its internal problems with a lot more maturity, so we can face up to external ones. Another reason why we cannot afford a Labour-Green-Te Pāti Māori fiasco, and why ACT must keep the alternative Government bold.
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) announced that he will be joined at President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress by Jason King, a disabled veteran from Fairfax who was fired from his position in the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety division as a result of the Trump Administration’s attacks on the federal workforce.
“I’m grateful that Fairfax resident and veteran Jason King will join me at this year’s joint address. Jason has served our country for years—first in the military and then at the Federal Aviation Administration where he worked to ensure air safety for millions of passengers. Despite Jason’s service, he is one of many federal employees who were recently fired by the Trump Administration,” Kaine said. “Jason’s story is a powerful example of how indiscriminately firing federal employees disproportionately hurts our veterans and also threatens the safety of the American people who rely on agencies like the FAA. I remain committed to protecting Virginia’s federal workers, our economy, and the safety of our communities from the Trump Administration’s actions.”
“I served in the United States Army as a transportation coordinator, where I ensured the safest mode of transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies. After the Army, I was given the opportunity to continue serving my country with the FAA as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Safety,” said King. “The tragic midair collision that occurred near DCA serves as a strong reminder that safety can’t be taken for granted. Yet in the wake of this event, our Administration decided to move forward with the firing of hundreds of FAA employees, myself included. Safety doesn’t come by chance. It requires investment, oversight, and expertise of those who work tirelessly to uphold these values. I’m glad to be joining Senator Kaine at the joint address to help send an important message: cutting costs should never come at the expense of safety, especially when it comes to the American people.”
Last week, Kaine and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) demanded the Trump Administration immediately reinstate all of the estimated 6,000 veterans who were fired during the mass terminations of federal employees and demanded veterans receive their full benefits and back pay. Veterans make up 30% of the federal workforce.
Kaine has also long advocated for policies to enhance aviation safety and has demanded that the Trump Administration prioritize the safety of America’s air travel system and reverse recent cuts to essential FAA safety roles. Following the deadly DCA collision on January 29, 2025, Kaine pressed the FAA on its plans to protect the flying public and applauded the precautionary safety measures put in place by the agency while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) carries out its investigation into the crash. On February 14, Kaine was briefed by the NTSB regarding the investigation, and continues to follow the situation closely.
The Security Council today extended its authorization for Member States to intercept vessels transporting banned items to and from Somalia, including illegal arms imports and charcoal exports, until 13 December 2025, also renewing the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Al-Shabaab sanctions regime until 13 January 2026.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2776 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2776(2025)), the 15-member Council — acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations — decided that “all States shall, for the purposes of preventing Al-Shabaab and other actors intent on undermining peace and security in Somalia and the region from obtaining weapons and ammunition, take the necessary measures to prevent all deliveries of weapons, ammunition and military equipment to Somalia.”
It further decided that these measures shall not apply to deliveries or supplies to the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Somali National Army, the National Intelligence and Security Agency, the Somali National Police Force and the Somali Custodial Corps.
Several Council members spoke after the vote. The representative of Guyana, also speaking for Algeria, Sierra Leone and Somalia, said they supported the Council’s decision “because we continue to ascribe importance to these elements in the fight against Al-Shabaab”. However, such regime should be assessed to determine its fitness to support the Government’s efforts to combat the group.
In that regard, she welcomed the mandate given to the Secretary-General to assess the relevant arms embargo and report to the Council on this by 1 November 2025. She also welcomed the Council’s intention to review the propriety of the sanctions regime once that report is received. She added: “We urge the Council’s continued support and attention to the priorities identified by the [Government] during that review.”
“This resolution retains a powerful package of sanctions designed to further degrade Al-Shabaab, disrupt its finances, strengthen international collaboration, and support Somalia in building its own capabilities,” observed the United Kingdom’s delegate. The adopted resolution also recognizes the particular concern posed by flows of weapons from Yemen to Somalia. Al-Shabaab’s links to the Houthis are part of a wider pattern of Houthi destabilising activity beyond Yemen’s borders, she said, adding that the 2713 and 2140 sanctions committees “should coordinate closely to monitor and counter this trend”.
Other speakers also expressed concern for the flow of arms from Yemen to Somalia, with France’s saying the movement violates the relevant arms embargo. “It is vital to prevent Al-Shabaab from establishing and exploiting ties with groups under sanctions in the region — including the Houthis,” he stressed.
Echoing a similar sentiment, the representative from the United States expressed concern about growing ties between Al-Shabaab and the Houthis. He encouraged dialogue between the Yemen and Al-Shabaab sanctions panels and countries in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula “to shed light on and ultimately sever the ties between the Houthis and Al-Shabaab”. If fully implemented by Member States, the measures in this resolution will curb Al-Shabaab’s and other non-State actors’ access to funds and weapons needed to carry out attacks. “We urge our fellow Council members to support additional designations, including those of Al-Shabaab operatives,” he added.
However, the representative of the Russian Federation countered that “the Yemen issue needs to be considered separately”. The draft contains elements that meet the aspirations of the Somalian side regarding the upcoming review of the sanctions regime, which has been in effect since 1992, she said, welcoming the restriction on access to weapons acquisition by non-State bodies. She further stated: “The Council should pay greater attention to the positions expressed by African States, especially when parameters are being determined for the sanctions regime used against the terrorists which are active on their territories.”
“Al-Shabaab’s ability to radicalize, recruit, raise funds via extortion and piracy and procure weapons must be disrupted,” stressed Pakistan’s delegate. Continued humanitarian assistance and support for economic development of Somalia is vital to addressing the root causes of terrorism. “Fighting the scourge of terrorism would require a united regional and global effort,” he emphasized.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), joined Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, and ten of their SASC colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, demanding answers regarding the recent abrupt dismissals of several Judge Advocate Generals (JAG).
In addition to demanding legal justification for these dismissals, the lawmakers requested documentation of the decision-making process, and a response to several oversight questions. The letter also expressed serious concerns about statements made by Secretary Hegseth regarding these actions.
“By arbitrarily and baselessly removing duly selected and highly qualified JAG officers, the Administration undermines the military justice system and has interfered with the independent legal counsel that uniformed attorneys provide to commanders and the Department itself,” the 12 Senators wrote. “Such removals create an unmistakable chilling effect, signaling to all judge advocates that their positions are contingent not upon their legal expertise and adherence to the law, but rather upon political or personal loyalty. Further, this move undermines the rigorous selection and confirmation process established by Congress.”
The JAG Corps provides critical independent legal advice to servicemembers and serves as a key component in our military’s operational readiness. JAG officers provide guidance on military justice, international law, operational law, administrative compliance, and ethics, helping to ensure that the U.S. military operates within the bounds of national and international legal frameworks. In their letter, the senators emphasized that in addition to violating federal law, these dismissals also undermine the integrity of the military justice system and effectively politicize military legal advice.
“Such actions by the Administration amount to a betrayal of public trust and an erosion of the apolitical foundation of our military legal system,” the lawmakers continued. “These arbitrary dismissals are a direct violation of their statutory protections. It sends a dangerous message that military legal professionals who provide objective, legally sound advice may be removed at will, thereby making it impossible for the JAG Corps to function as prescribed by law.”
The lawmakers also expressed their serious concerns over Secretary Hegseth’s statements following the dismissals, which undermined the JAG officers’ qualifications and the critical, apolitical role they play in ensuring adherence to the Constitution, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and international law. The letter emphasized that Secretary Hegseth’s plan to demote JAG leadership would reduce oversight and eliminate guardrails meant to ensure military operations comply with international law, potentially exposing U.S. forces to war crimes allegations, damaging alliances, and undermining our country’s global leadership.
“The independence of military legal professionals must be preserved, and any actions that erode this independence must be rectified without delay,” the Senators concluded. “Failing to integrate JAGs into military planning who are free to give independent legal advice to the commander threatens not only compliance with the law but also the safety and effectiveness of U.S. forces.”
In addition to Senators Reed and Hirono, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).
The full text of the letter follows:
March 3, 2025
Secretary Hegseth:
The Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps is an essential pillar of our military, ensuring adherence to the rule of law, upholding the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and providing critical independent legal advice to commanders at all levels. The JAG Corps is not only a vital element in maintaining good order and discipline within our armed forces, but it is also a key component of operational readiness. By law, JAG officers provide guidance on military justice, international law, operational law, administrative compliance, and ethics, ensuring that our warfighters operate within the bounds of national and international legal frameworks. The stability and impartiality of the JAG Corps are paramount, and any undue interference in its functioning directly impacts the effectiveness and credibility of our military.
We write to you with deep concern regarding the recent relief of Judge Advocate Generals. This action not only undermines the integrity of the military justice system but also appears to be in direct violation of federal law, specifically 10 U.S.C. §§ 7037(e) (Army) and 9037(f) (Air Force). The Army statute explicitly states: “No officer or employee of the Department of Defense may interfere with— (1) the ability of the Judge Advocate General to give independent legal advice to the Secretary of the Army or the Chief of Staff of the Army; or (2) the ability of judge advocates of the Army assigned or attached to, or performing duty with, military units to give independent legal advice to commanders.” The Air Force and Navy statutes contain substantively identical language.
By arbitrarily and baselessly removing duly selected and highly qualified JAG officers, the Administration undermines the military justice system and has interfered with the independent legal counsel that uniformed attorneys provide to commanders and the Department itself. Such removals create an unmistakable chilling effect, signaling to all judge advocates that their positions are contingent not upon their legal expertise and adherence to the law, but rather upon political or personal loyalty. Further, this move undermines the rigorous selection and confirmation process established by Congress.
We are also deeply troubled by your follow-up statement after the firings where you said, “We want lawyers who give sound constitutional advice and don’t exist to attempt to be roadblocks.” This characterization of legal advisors within the military undermines the critical apolitical role they play in ensuring adherence to the Constitution, the UCMJ, and international law. Military lawyers are not “roadblocks” as you describe; they are guardrails, ensuring that orders issued by commanders are lawful and the armed forces uphold the principles that distinguish our military from those that serve autocrats around the world. Furthermore, your assertion that the selection process for senior legal officers is an “insulated” system that perpetuates the status quo disregards the legal framework established by 10 U.S.C. Chapter 36, which specifically governs the appointment, promotion, and selection of military officers, including those of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. This is not a self-perpetuating bureaucracy; it is a system codified by law to ensure that those entrusted with legal oversight are experienced, competent, and independent enough to provide candid legal counsel, even under difficult circumstances. Undermining this structure risks politicizing the military and eroding the very professionalism that has long been its foundation.
We are also troubled that you plan to reduce the rank of JAG leadership from a three-star to a two-star general or flag officer. This position was elevated to three-stars to signal the United States’ commitment to the rule of law as the foundation of good decisions and to ensure they could advise policymakers on our most critical national security decisions, following the abuses at Abu Ghraib. Demoting the military’s champions for lawfulness sends a clear and troubling message across the force. JAGs play a crucial role in ensuring the U.S. military complies with international law, including the DoD Law of War Manual, DoD Directive 3000.09, and the Army Field Manual on Interrogation, which govern the conduct of armed conflict, the use of autonomous weapon systems, and authorized military interrogation techniques. Without independent legal counsel, military operations risk violating international law, exposing U.S. forces to war crimes allegations, damaging alliances, and undermining global legitimacy. The absence of sound legal advice can lead to unlawful targeting decisions, excessive use of force, or misuse of emerging technologies, increasing operational and strategic risks. It endangers uniformed service members by ceding moral high ground to our adversaries in their own conduct and prosecution of armed conflict.
Such actions by the Administration amount to a betrayal of public trust and an erosion of the apolitical foundation of our military legal system. These arbitrary dismissals are a direct violation of their statutory protections. It sends a dangerous message that military legal professionals who provide objective, legally sound advice may be removed at will, thereby making it impossible for the JAG Corps to function as prescribed by law.
Given these grave concerns, we demand immediate clarification on the legal justification for these reliefs and an explanation as to how these actions comply with Title 10 statutes governing the selection and tenure of JAG officers. Additionally, we request a detailed account of the individuals involved in the decision-making process and any documentation that led to these dismissals.
To facilitate proper congressional oversight, we request responses to the following questions by March 13, 2025:
What is the legal basis for the removal of these JAG officers?
Were any communications or directives issued to justify these removals? If so, please provide them for review.
Do you plan to appoint two- or three-star officers to replace these JAG officers?
What analysis has the Department conducted to determine that the replacements for these JAG officers should be two-stars?
How does the Department plan to ensure the continued independence of the JAG Corps in light of these dismissals?
Were any external political or administrative pressures exerted on the decision to remove these officers?
How will the Department mitigate the chilling effect this decision has had on the ability of JAG officers to provide independent legal counsel?
What measures will be put in place to restore trust in the military justice system and prevent similar actions in the future?
Will you follow the legally-prescribed process in selecting the next Judge Advocates General of the Army, Navy, and Air Force?
The rule of law is a foundational pillar of our nation, and the DoD must uphold it without exception. The independence of military legal professionals must be preserved, and any actions that erode this independence must be rectified without delay. Failing to integrate JAGs into military planning who are free to give independent legal advice to the commander threatens not only compliance with the law but also the safety and effectiveness of U.S. forces. As you committed at your confirmation hearing to respond promptly to the committee, we expect a response to these straightforward questions, along with full transparency in addressing the damage these firings have inflicted upon the military justice system.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today announced that Ms. Ashley Ranalli of Fredericksburg will attend as his guest to President Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday, March 4. Ms. Ranalli was employed as a National Park Service (NPS) ranger at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park until last month, when – despite exemplary performance reviews – she became one of an estimated 1,000-plus Park Service workers who were indiscriminately fired by the Trump administration due to their “probationary” employment status, joining thousands of other federal workers who were fired without cause as part of Elon Musk and President Trump’s attacks on the workforce. Ms. Ranalli, 41, is a survivor of thyroid cancer and now has no health insurance.
“Ashley Ranalli is one of the many dedicated public servants who have been forced out of their jobs serving Americans by President Trump and Elon Musk. Our national parks are places where we connect with nature, our shared history and one another, and that is made possible by the hard work of national park rangers, whose dedication, expertise, and passion not only safeguard our landscapes and wildlife but also help preserve the stories and history that make these places so special. These indiscriminate cuts of Park Service personnel are devastating to the parks and their local communities,” said Sen. Warner. “I am glad that Ashley is able to join as my guest for the address to Congress, so that President Trump can look out into the audience and face a Virginian directly affected by his short-sighted and reckless choices.”
“Becoming a national park ranger was my dream and after years of dedication and hard work, it finally became a reality, only to be ripped away,” said Ms. Ranalli. “I am devastated by the effect the purge of federal employees has had on Fredericksburg, a community that I love and which relies upon federal workers and tourism dollars from the national park. When I come to Washington, I hope to represent not just my fellow park rangers, but also to be a voice for the people, communities and small businesses that are suffering because of political choices being made in our nation’s capital.”
When Ashley Ranalli was hired as a volunteer and youth program coordinator at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park in the fall, it was the culmination of years of effort and hard work. Prior to becoming a park ranger, Ashley was a public school English teacher who spent her summers working as a seasonal worker for the National Park Service, living away from her family at various NPS sites in Virginia in order to demonstrate commitment to the job and distinguish herself from a pool of largely younger candidates. On February 14, she received a layoff notice from the Department of the Interior, despite a recent performance review that described her work as “excellent” and “outstanding,” and which noted that she “goes the extra mile” when working with visitors, volunteers, and colleagues.
While the administration has declined to make public the exact scope of the cuts at NPS and the duties and locations of those affected by the layoffs, the National Parks Conservation Association estimates that in a period of just weeks, nine percent of NPS staff have been lost to mass firings and resignations, in addition to hundreds of vacant positions that can’t be filled due to the ongoing hiring freeze. In addition, the National Park Service has been directed to identify more cuts as part of the larger Reduction in Force (RIF) efforts.
Warner is the author of the Great American Outdoors Act, one of the largest-ever investments in conservation and public lands in our nation’s history. Signed into law by President Trump in 2020, the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act provided billions of dollars to improve infrastructure and expand recreation opportunities in national parks and other public lands after years of underinvestment led a massive backlog in needed maintenance and repairs to Park Service sites. In Virginia alone, Warner’s Great American Outdoors Act has provided over $470 million for projects at Virginia’s 22 park service units and supported thousands of jobs – investments that are now being undermined by the Trump administration’s reckless layoffs that threaten safe operations at the parks ahead of the peak summer season. Last month, Warner led the Virginia delegation in writing the Secretary of the Interior, pushing the administration to reverse the cuts.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
March 03, 2025
“The rampant revolving door of former government leaders lobbying the agencies they once led, while their government relationships remain fresh, erodes Americans’ faith in the federal government.”
Text of Letter to Dr. Makary (PDF) | Text of Letter to Dr. Bhattacharya (PDF)
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Marty Makary and Jay Bhattacharya, nominees to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), respectively, asking them to address their conflicts of interest ahead of their confirmation hearings.
Dr. Makary currently serves as Chief Medical Officer at Sesame Care, a direct-to-consumer health care company that connects patients with providers who virtually prescribe Sesame’s medicine. He also serves on the board of Harrow, an ophthalmic company that relies on the FDA to approve its therapeutics. While Dr. Makary said he would resign from the board before taking office, his relationship with the company raises concerns about his ability to be impartial at the FDA.
Dr. Bhattacharya most recently worked as a research associate at Acumen, LLC, which offers analytical research services to the federal government, and has contracts with multiple agencies across the Department of Health and Human Services – including NIH.
Senator Warren asked both nominees to recuse themselves from all matters involving their former clients and employers for at least four years, a commitment their predecessors under the Biden administration made.
Senator Warren also asked them to agree to not work for any companies they regulate or interact with during their tenure, for four years after leaving office. During his confirmation process, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who oversees both of the nominees’ agencies, committed not to work for a pharmaceutical company for at least four years after leaving office.
Lastly, Senator Warren asked the nominees to refrain from lobbying their respective agencies for four years after leaving office.
“The rampant revolving door of former government leaders lobbying the agencies they once led, while their government relationships remain fresh, erodes Americans’ faith in the federal government,” wrote Senator Warren to the nominees.
To mitigate concerns about former government leaders lobbying the agencies they once led, multiple Biden appointees agreed to a post-employment lobbying ban, following pressure from Senator Warren.
“By making these commitments, you would increase Americans’ trust in your ability to serve the public interest, rather than the special interests of [former contractors or companies they regulated],” concluded Senator Warren.
Senator Warren gave the nominees until March 10, 2025 to demonstrate their commitment to public health and address their conflicts of interest.
Senator Warren has been a leader on enforcing government ethics standards and pressing nominees to address conflicts of interest:
In February 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Mr. Stephen Feinberg, nominee for Deputy Secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD), pressing him to explain his “serious conflicts of interest” and his track record of mismanagement.
In February 2025, following reports that Elon Musk would take advantage of loopholes in federal ethics laws to avoid publicly disclosing his financial conflicts of interest, Senator Elizabeth Warren led several Democrats in a letter demanding Musk publicly reveal how he could stand to profit from his role in the Trump administration.
In February 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) called on Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to recuse himself from former clients’ and employers’ particular matters and commit to not lobbying HHS after his tenure as Secretary.
In February 2025, following the Senate Finance Committee vote to advance the nomination of Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Elizabeth Warren gave remarks regarding the nominee’s continued conflicts of interest.
In February 2025, Senators Warren and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., pressing him to urgently resolve his serious conflicts of interest before the committee vote Wednesday morning.
In January 2025, following pressure from Senate Democrats, Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. agreed to amend his flawed ethics agreement (see Warren QFRs at the end of Part 2 and start of Part 3).
In January 2025, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, about his dangerous conflicts of interest and record of profiting from anti-vaccine conspiracies.
In January 2025, ahead of Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearing for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a 34-page letter detailing her concerns with his nomination and asked him to answer 175 questions ahead of his hearing before the Finance Committee.
In January 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Mr. Pete Hegseth, then-nominee for Secretary of the Department of Defense, regarding his ethics conflicts ahead of the Senate’s consideration of his nomination. Particularly concerning were the facts that Mr. Hegseth’s household owns stock in several defense contractors and that he was unwilling to commit to the same post-employment restrictions he previously advocated for.
In January 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Trump Transition Co-Chairs Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, urging them to make the White House’s ethics pledge for incoming appointees as strong as possible and outlining specific provisions to do so. The letter came at the end of the first week of confirmation hearings for President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominees, many of whom have been found to have serious conflicts of interest and massive wealth.
In December 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to President-elect Trump with concerns about Elon Musk’s conflicts of interest as he served as a top advisor for the incoming president.
In December 2024, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) wrote to Dr. Mehmet Oz, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, raising stark concerns about his advocacy to eliminate traditional Medicare and his deep financial ties to the private health insurers that would benefit from that move.
In November 2024, in response to the news that President-elect Donald Trump selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Elizabeth Warren released a statement calling him a “danger to public health, scientific research, medicine, and health care coverage for millions of Americans.”
In March 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured ethics commitments from Douglas Schmidt, ahead of his confirmation to be the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) for the Department of Defense.
In February 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured unprecedented ethics commitments from former Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, President Biden’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), including his recusal from participating in the OECD’s decision making processes regarding crypto and digital assets policy.
In January 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Jayapal sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, expressing concerns about the Department of Commerce’s reliance on a small team of Wall Street financiers to help allocate $39 billion in CHIPS and Science Act taxpayer-funded manufacturing and R&D subsidies.
In June 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren and representative Andy Kim reintroduced her Department of Defense Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act.
In April 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren chaired a hearing with Pentagon officials and ethics experts about problems with the revolving door, retired military officers working for foreign governments, and issues with executive branch officials owning stocks in companies impacted by their official actions.
In May 2022, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured a commitment from then-Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision nominee Michael Barr not to seek employment or compensation – including as a result of board service – from any company that has a party matter before the Fed, or any financial services company, for four years after he leaves government service.
In February 2022, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured the strongest ethics standards ever agreed to by Federal Reserve Board nominees from Lisa Cook, Phillip Jefferson, and Sarah Bloom Raskin. The nominees agreed to a four-year recusal period from matters which they oversee on the Board of Governors, not to seek a waiver from these recusals, and not to seek employment or compensation from financial services companies for four years after leaving government service.
In January 2022, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured a commitment from then-FDA Commissioner nominee Dr. Robert Califf to recuse himself from matters involving his former employers and clients for four years, two years longer than what was required in the Biden administration’s Ethics Pledge. He also agreed not to seek employment with or compensation, including as a result of board service, from any pharmaceutical or medical device company that he interacts with during his tenure as FDA Commissioner for four years after completing his government service.
In July 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured agreements to four-year recusals from former clients’ and employers’ party matters from then-Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and then-USD(R&E) Heidi Shyu.
In January 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured a commitment from General Lloyd Austin III, then-nominee for Secretary of Defense, to extend his recusal from Raytheon Technologies for four years and to not seek a position on the board of a defense contractor or become a lobbyist after his government service.
In December 2020, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Jayapal introduced the Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act, the most ambitious anti-corruption legislation since Watergate, which would outlaw corrupt revolving-door schemes so that public servants are serving the public – not the financial interests of themselves or giant corporations.
In March 2020, President Trump signed the bipartisan Presidential Transition Enhancement Act into law, which included major provisions of Sen. Warren’s (D-Mass.) Transition Team Ethics Improvement Act.
In September 2019, the Senate passed a key provision of the Transition Team Ethics Improvement Act introduced by Senators Warren and Tom Carper (D-Del.) to enhance the ethics requirements that govern presidential transitions.
In November 2016, as President Trump prepared to take office, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Chairman Cummings requested a GAO investigation of the chaotic Trump transition. In September 2017, Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the results of the investigation, finding that the Trump transition team ignored advice from the Office of Government Ethics and failed to follow past precedents regarding ethics and presidential transitions.
Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Co-Chairs of the ALS Caucus, announced the introduction of the Justice for ALS Veterans Act. This bill, first introduced in January 2022, would guarantee that the surviving spouses of veterans receive all benefits due to them. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) introduced the legislation in the House.
“Every year, ALS robs thousands more Americans of their ability to speak, move, and eventually to live,” said Senator Coons. “Veterans who have fiercely served our nation are twice as likely to receive an ALS diagnosis, and yet, despite our efforts to support them and their families, they do not receive the full benefits they have earned in death. I’m working with Senator Murkowski to right this wrong and take better care of military families impacted by ALS.”
“ALS is a horrible disease that indiscriminately wreaks havoc on families across the country – mine included,” said Senator Murkowski. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan group of senators who are partnering with healthcare and advocacy groups to support those affected and their families. Our first reintroduction, the Justice for ALS Veterans Act, is an important first step that will aid the families of veterans who have been devastated by ALS. It’s not clear why veterans develop ALS at a such a high rate, but it is clear that we should close the loophole that has prevented surviving families from receiving the full benefits that they are entitled to.”
“Our veterans fought for us, and when they face ALS—a devastating, fast-moving disease—we must fight for them and their families. Denying a surviving spouse benefits because their loved one didn’t live long enough to meet an arbitrary requirement is not just unfair—it is a betrayal of our commitment to those who served. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act will right this wrong and ensure that the families of our brave service members receive the support they have earned and deserve,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan House ALS Caucus.
“Studies show our nation’s veterans have a higher likelihood of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis compared to non-veterans. Veterans with ALS and their families experience rapid life changes in addition to significant financial stress,” said Calaneet Balas, President and CEO of The ALS Association. “We express our gratitude to veterans and their families, as well as to the U.S. Senators who are championing the passage of the Justice for ALS Veterans Act. This legislation aims to guarantee that the families of veterans receive the benefits they rightfully deserve, without being penalized due to the rapid progression of ALS.”
“We are grateful to Senators Coons and Murkowski for their bipartisan leadership and commitment to veteran families impacted by ALS,” said Andrea Goodman, CEO of I AM ALS. “Veterans with ALS are a vital part of our community of advocates, and we are dedicated to ensuring those who bravely served our country receive the benefits they need. This legislation is critical to our effort to ensure survivors of veterans with ALS receive the benefits they deserve.”
“PVA thanks Senators Murkowski and Coons, Representatives Fitzpatrick and Pappas, and other Members of Congress who have prioritized the reintroduction of the Justice for ALS Veterans Act. Denying benefits for surviving spouses of ALS veterans due to the aggressive nature of this service-connected disability does a disservice to them. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act will ensure these survivors receive the additional financial support that is afforded to other veterans’ survivors,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Background:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that renders the body unable to control muscle movement. There is no effective treatment for the disease, no known cause, and currently no cure. At present, ALS has a fatality rate of 100%. Veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as the general public.
Current policy states that a surviving spouse and family of a deceased veteran who had a service-connected disability deemed fully debilitating for a continuous period of at least eight years prior to death receive an additional monthly stipend from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). While ALS is deemed a service-connected disability, the average life expectancy for an individual diagnosed with ALS is just two to five years after diagnosis, which means that many families of an ALS-diagnosed veteran are not able to access this benefit. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act ensures that surviving spouses and families of veterans who pass away from ALS receive this additional benefit, regardless of how long an individual was living with ALS prior to their death.
The ALS Caucus remains committed to improving the lives of those living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and accelerating efforts toward a cure. The previous work of the Senate ALS Caucus includes:
Advocating forContinued Federal Funding: Securing resources for ALS research at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
ACT for ALS Act Implementation: Ensuring the continued rollout of the legislation, which expands access to investigational therapies for those with ALS and strengthens research into effective treatments.
Community Engagement: Working with ALS patients, caregivers, and advocates to inform and shape federal policy.
A co-chair of the Senate ALS Caucus, Senator Coons has long been a proud advocate for ALS patients in the Senate. He has introduced several bipartisan bills to address ALS, including the ACT for ALS Act, which funds essential research into rare, neurodegenerative illnesses such as ALS. The bill was signed into law by President Biden in 2021.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz today to discuss bilateral interests, regional developments and opportunities, and security assistance priorities. The Secretary reaffirmed that the United States remains 100 percent committed to Israel’s security and emphasized the unbreakable bond that exists between the United States and Israel. Both leaders agreed that Iran remains a threat to regional security and agreed to work together on this challenge.
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON––Today, U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) continued their efforts to support those who have served in our nation’s military by introducing legislation to renew and expand essential funding for mental health outreach and suicide prevention in veteran communities through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program.
Authored by Boozman and Warner and later signed into law as a provision of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, the Fox Grant Program has authorized $174 million since 2020 to address the veteran suicide crisis through funding community and veteran service organizations (VSOs) as well as mental health care providers across the country that provide suicide prevention services and outreach for at-risk veterans.
“Veterans who struggle with mental health have responded well to support provided by those they know and trust,” said Boozman. “When our former servicemembers have access to assistance within their own communities, from organizations with demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and foster hope, they are less likely to take their own lives. Reauthorizing funding for this life-saving initiative is part of the commitment we made to fulfilling what was promised to our veterans struggling to carry the invisible weight of their mental and physical sacrifice.”
“Veterans put an enormous amount on the line to serve our nation, and we owe them the best benefits available when they come home – including robust mental health resources,” said Warner. “For the past several years, the Staff Sergeant Fox Grant Program has played an invaluable role getting organizations already doing life-saving mental health outreach more support, including many incredible organizations in Virginia. We cannot back down on our commitment to preventing suicide in veteran communities – it’s time for us to extend and expand this essential grant program.”
The Fox Grant Program is scheduled to sunset later this year. The senators’ legislation would:
Reauthorize the Fox Grant Program until Sept. 30, 2028, and increase the total authorized funding for the grant program from $174 million to $285 million;
Expand the maximum potential award from $750,000 to $1.25 million;
Direct the VA to collect additional measures and metrics on outcomes to better serve veterans; and
Require annual briefings for VA medical personnel to improve awareness of the program and increase coordination with providers.
The legislation has strong support from Veterans of Foreign Wars and Blue Star Families.
“The Veterans of Foreign Wars strongly supports the bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Warner and Boozman to reauthorize and expand the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Veteran suicide remains a national crisis, and increasing the maximum grant amount while improving oversight and coordination will help ensure life-saving resources reach those in need. The VFW has long advocated for community-based solutions, and this legislation strengthens critical partnerships between the VA and local organizations working to prevent suicide. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this bill and reaffirm its commitment to those who have sacrificed for our nation,” said Joy Craig, Associate Director of Service Member Affairs with the VFW’s National Legislative Service.
“The SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program is a lifeline for veterans and military families facing the invisible wounds of service. Blue Star Families has seen firsthand the impact of these critical resources—support that saves lives and strengthens communities. This program ensures that veterans and their loved ones get the help they need before a crisis turns tragic. We are proud to support its reauthorization and urge Congress to continue investing in solutions that honor the service and sacrifice of those who’ve given so much for our country,” said Blue Star Families CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet.
The program honors Parker Gordon Fox, a veteran and former sniper instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. SSG Fox died by suicide on July 21, 2020, at the age of 25. Suicide is the 12th-leading cause of death for veterans, and the 2nd-leading cause for veterans under 45. Over 131,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001, with veterans being 72 percent more likely than the civilian population to die by suicide. Since its original passage, the Fox Grant Program has worked to end this crisis by distributing hundreds of millions in funding to organizations that provide critical, frontline mental health services to veterans.
Click here for full text of the legislation.
Secretary of Defense Hegseth directed the Army to change the name of Fort Moore to Fort Benning in honor of Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) recipient, who heroically served in Machine-Gun Company, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in France during World War I. On October 9, 1918, the enemy killed Cpl. Benning’s platoon commander and disabled two senior noncommissioned officers in action south of Exermont, France. The Army awarded Cpl. Benning the DSC for his heroic actions that day as he courageously led the remaining 20 men through heavy fire to their assigned objective in support of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
CPL Benning was the living embodiment of the Infantryman’s Creed: He was “swift, determined and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win.
Fort Benning, home of the Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence, trains thousands of Infantry, Armor, and Ranger warfighters to answer their nation’s call. Secretary Hegseth’s directive honors the warrior ethos and recognizes the heroes who have trained at the installation for decades.
The Secretary of the Army will take immediate action to implement this decision.
On March 3, 1915, the United States Congress created the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Although the NACA’s founding took place just over 11 years after the Wright Brothers’ first powered flightfirst powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Congress took the action in response to America lagging behind other world powers’ advances in aviation and aeronautics. From its modest beginnings as an advisory committee, over the years, the NACA established research centers and test facilities that enabled groundbreaking advances in civilian and military aviation, as well as the fledgling discipline of spaceflight. With the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1958, the new agency incorporated the NACA’s facilities, its employees, and its annual budget. The NACA provided NASA with a strong foundation as it set out to explore space.
The Congressional action that created the NACA, implemented as a rider to the 1915 Naval Appropriations Bill, reads in part, “…It shall be the duty of the advisory committee for aeronautics to supervise and direct the scientific study of the problems of flight with a view to their practical solution. …”. In its initial years, the NACA fulfilled its intended role, coordinating activities already in place in the area of aeronautics research, reporting directly to the president. The committee, made up of 12 representatives from government agencies, academia, and the military, first met on April 23 in the Office of the Secretary of War in Washington, D.C. It established a nine-member executive committee to oversee day-to-day operations and spent the first few years establishing its headquarters in Washington.
Within a few years, the NACA’s role began to expand with the establishment of research facilities. The Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, today NASA’s Langley Research Center, in Hampton, Virginia, opened on June 11, 1920. Over the next few decades, Langley served as a testing facility for new types of aircraft, using wind tunnels and other technological advances. The Ames Aeronautical Laboratory in Sunnyvale, California, today NASA’s Ames Research Center, opened in 1940 and the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory in Cleveland, today NASA’s Glenn Research Center, in 1941. The three labs achieved many breakthroughs in civilian and military aviation before, during, and after World War II. The Cleveland lab, renamed the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory in 1948, concentrated most of its efforts on advances in jet propulsion.
After World War II, the NACA began work on achieving supersonic flight. In 1946, the agency established the Muroc Flight Test Unit at the Air Force’s Muroc Field, later renamed Edwards Air Force Base, in California’s Mojave Desert. In a close collaboration, the NACA, the Air Force, and Bell Aircraft developed the X-1 airplane that first broke the sound barrier in 1947. Muroc Field underwent several name changes, first to the High-Speed Flight Station in 1949, then in 1976 to NASA’s Dryden, and in 2014 to Armstrong Flight Research Center. In 1945, the NACA established the Pilotless Aircraft Research Station on Wallops Island, Virginia, now NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, as a test site for rocketry research, under Langley’s direction. From the first launch in 1945 through 1958, the NACA launched nearly 400 different types of rockets from Wallops.
In the 1950s, the NACA began to study the feasibility of spaceflight, including sending humans into space. In 1952, NACA engineers developed the concept of a blunt body capsule as the most efficient way to return humans from space. The design concept found its way into the Mercury capsule and all future American spacecraft. Following the dawn of the space age in 1957, the NACA advocated that it take the lead in America’s spaceflight effort. The Congress passed, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation to create a new civilian space agency, and on Oct. 1, 1958, NASA officially began operations. The new organization incorporated the NACA’s research laboratories and test facilities, its 8,000 employees, and its $100 million annual budget. Many of NASA’s key early leaders and engineers began their careers in the NACA. The NACA’s last director, Hugh Dryden, served as NASA’s first deputy administrator. For more information about the NACA and its transition to NASA, read former NASA Chief Historian Roger Launius’ book NASA to NASA to Now: The Frontiers of Air and Space in the American Century. Watch this video narrated by former NASA Chief Historian Bill Barry about the NACA.
On Feb. 28, 1990, space shuttle Atlantis took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on STS-36, the sixth shuttle mission dedicated to the Department of Defense. As such, many of the details of the flight remain classified. The mission marked the 34th flight of the space shuttle, the sixth for Atlantis, and the fourth night launch of the program. The crew of Commander John Creighton, Pilot John Casper, Mission Specialists Mike Mullane, David Hilmers, and Pierre Thuot flew Atlantis to the highest inclination orbit of any human spaceflight to date. During the four-day mission, the astronauts deployed a classified satellite, ending with a landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
In February 1989, NASA assigned astronauts Creighton, Casper, Mullane, Hilmers, and Thuot to the STS-36 mission. The mission marked the second spaceflight for Creighton, selected as an astronaut in 1978. He previously served as the pilot on STS-51G. Mullane, also from the class of 1978, previously flew on STS-41D and STS-27, while Hilmers, from the class of 1980, previously flew on STS-51J and STS-26. For Casper and Thuot, selected as astronauts in the classes of 1984 and 1985, respectively, STS-36 marked their first trip into space.
Atlantis returned from its previous flight, STS-34, in October 1989. The orbiter spent a then-record 75 days in the processing facility and assembly building, rolling out to Launch Pad 39A on Jan. 25, 1990. The astronauts arrived on Feb. 18 for the planned launch four days later. First Creighton, then Casper and Hilmers, came down with colds, delaying the launch to Feb. 25. Weather and hardware problems pushed the launch back to Feb. 28, giving the astronauts time to return to Houston for some simulator training. On launch day, winds and rain delayed the liftoff for more than two hours before launch controllers gave Atlantis the go to launch.
With mere seconds remaining in the launch window, Atlantis lifted off at 2:50 a.m. EST Feb. 28, to begin the STS-36 mission. Atlantis flew an unusual dog leg maneuver during ascent to achieve the mission’s 62-degree inclination. Once Atlantis reached orbit, the classified nature prevented any more detailed public coverage of the mission. The astronauts likely deployed the classified satellite on the mission’s second day. During the remainder of their mission, the astronauts conducted several experiments and photographed preselected areas and targets of opportunity on planet Earth. Their high-inclination orbit enabled them to photograph areas not usually seen by shuttle crews.
To maintain the mission’s confidentiality, NASA could reveal the touchdown time only 24 hours prior to the event. On March 4, Creighton and Casper brought Atlantis to a smooth landing at Edwards Air Force Base after 72 orbits of the Earth and a flight of four days, 10 hours, and 18 minutes. About an hour after touchdown, the astronaut crew exited Atlantis for the ride to crew quarters and the flight back to Houston. Later in the day, ground crews prepared Atlantis for the ferry ride back to Kennedy. Atlantis left Edwards on March 10 and three days later arrived at Kennedy, where workers began to prepare it for its next flight, STS-38 in November 1990.
