NewzIntel.com

Category: Vehicles

  • MIL-OSI Security: San Francisco Resident Who Shot and Killed Victim in the Presidio Found Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter

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

    SAN FRANCISCO – A federal jury today found Leion Butler, aka Leniyah Butler, 21, of San Francisco, guilty of voluntary manslaughter.  The verdict followed a two-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Susan Illston.

    The jury found that Butler, a sex worker, killed a man in the Crissy Field East Beach area of the Presidio of San Francisco on Nov. 12, 2023, after performing a sex act on the victim.  According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Butler shot the victim once in the eye after he asked for a refund and asked Butler to get out of the car.  After killing him, Butler stole the victim’s vehicle, drove it to Hunters Point, and tried to wipe away the fingerprints and DNA.  Butler spent the rest of that morning scattering the physical evidence, including the murder weapon.  

    “We extend our sincere condolences to the victim’s family, whose son and brother was taken from them prematurely, and hope today’s verdict brings some measure of justice,” said Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins.  “We commend the swift actions of the FBI agents, who promptly and thoroughly investigated this case from the moment the victim’s body was found in the Presidio.”

    “This conviction demonstrates the FBI’s unwavering commitment to seeking justice for victims of violent crime,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani. “Through tireless investigative work and collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we ensured that the defendant was held accountable for this senseless act. The FBI will continue to pursue those who commit violent offenses and threaten the safety of our communities.”

    The jury acquitted Butler of murder in the second degree.

    Butler, who is currently being held in custody, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2025.  The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1112 is 15 years and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution if appropriate.  Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelsey Davidson and George Hageman are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Helen Yee, Jessie Chelsea, Marina Ponomarchuk, and Janice Pagsanjan.  The prosecution is the result of a monthslong investigation by the FBI.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New summer ferry schedule for Anacortes/San Juan Islands route available online

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Summer vehicle reservations available April 15

    SEATTLE – Heads up to ferry riders in the San Juan Islands: a new sailing schedule will be on deck this summer. Starting June 15, Washington State Ferries will embark on a new schedule for its Anacortes/San Juan Islands route. Vehicle reservations for the summer travel season will be available at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 15. 

    The updated summer schedule runs through Sept. 20. It will follow the successful rollout of winter and spring changes. The revamped seasonal schedules include a more realistic timetable that helps vessels stay on time. It also makes crewing schedules more manageable, leading to fewer crewing cancelations.

    The sailing schedules for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route have not been updated in over a decade. Since then, the area has grown significantly, with more than 754,000 passengers using the route last summer.

    Since 2023, WSF has worked to improve the Anacortes/San Juan Islands sailing schedules. Through public outreach and input from a community task force, WSF developed better timetables for its winter, spring and now summer sailing seasons. The new spring schedule will be used again for the fall sailing season.

    WSF, a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, is the largest ferry system in the U.S. and safely and efficiently carries tens of millions of people a year through some of the most majestic scenery in the world. For the latest service updates, sign up for rider alerts and track each ferry using the real-time map online.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Milwaukee Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Carjackings

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of announced today that James Poole (age 19) was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for his role in armed carjackings in Milwaukee.

    According to court records, Poole participated in two armed carjackings in late January 2024.  In each of the carjackings, Poole brandished a firearm. On January 29, 2024, at approximately 7:45 pm, Poole committed a carjacking on the 2400 block of N. Farwell Avenue on the East Side of Milwaukee. The following day, at approximately 5:00 pm, Poole engaged in a carjacking in a parking lot in downtown Milwaukee, near 2nd Street and Plankinton Avenue. Shortly after the second carjacking, while driving the stolen vehicle, Poole led members of the Milwaukee Police Department on a high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods and reaching speeds of 90 mph. Poole ultimately crashed the stolen car into a tree near 82nd and Burleigh Streets, causing life-threatening injuries to all passengers inside the stolen vehicle. Following his term of imprisonment, Poole also will spend three years on supervised release.  He also was ordered to pay restitution.

    Poole’s co-defendant, Jabari Griffin (age 21), was sentenced on February 27, 2025, for his role in aiding and abetting Poole in the January 30, 2024, carjacking. Griffin was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release.      

    “Individuals who engage in violent crimes – like these armed carjackings – not only endanger the lives and well-being of their victims but also can shatter the confidence of all residents that our cities are safe places in which to live and work,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with all of its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to hold these individuals accountable for their actions and to pursue justice for all impacted victims.”

    “Armed carjackings and the dangerous actions of those who committed the offenses in this case endangered the public and impacted the victims of this crime. This sentencing reflects the severity of the crimes committed by James Poole,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle. “The FBI remains steadfastly committed to working with our partners to investigate violent crime matters—to include armed carjackings—in our ongoing efforts to positively impact public safety within our community.”

    “The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is proud of the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in holding violent individuals accountable for their actions. Armed carjackings are violent acts that cause great harm to our community.  Those that bring harm to our community must be held accountable.” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. “MPD values our collaboration with the community, federal, state and local law enforcement partners to build a safer city for everyone to live, work and play.”   

    This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force, including the Milwaukee Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abbey M. Marzick and Michael C. Schindhelm.

    # # #

    For Additional Information Contact:

    Public Information Officer

    Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

    414-297-1700

     

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Slams President Trump’s Newly Announced Tariffs That Will Raise Prices For Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    April 02, 2025
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after President Trump unveiled his latest round of tariffs, which will raise prices for Americans, unleash a global trade war, and harm our economy:
    “The President is risking a recession with this national sales tax he calls tariffs—while needlessly alienating our closest allies. When American families see what this does to the price of goods, such as cars, groceries, and gas, it is going to create a negative economic force across this country and cost a lot of American jobs. President Trump seems enamored with tariffs, but he’s going to have a heck of a time explaining how this is going to help reduce the cost of living for Americans.”
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three men sentenced for brutal attack on teenager

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A Met investigation into a savage attack where a man suffered life-changing injuries after he was shot and stabbed in broad daylight has led to three men being handed lengthy prison sentences.

    Caleb Wallace, 18 (05.01.07), of Beam Avenue, Barking and Dagenham, Hayat Umar, 18 (13.03.07) of Stern Close, Barking and Dagenham and Joshua Amoaka, 18 (03.08.2006), of Cornflower Road, Chelmsford were sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 3 April.

    Wallace and Umar, who were both convicted of attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent and possession of a knife following a trial earlier this year were sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment each.

    Amoaka, who was previously found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent and possession of a knife, was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.

    All three were subject to between a third to a half reduction to their sentence due to being aged under 18 at the time the offence was committed.

    The court heard that on Thursday, 2 May 2024 the victim, who was 18 at the time of the incident, was cycling along Whalebone Lane South in Dagenham when Wallace, Umar and Amoaka jumped out of a vehicle and chased him.

    While attempting to escape from his attackers, the victim briefly collided with a member of the public and fell off his bike. In CCTV footage seen by the jury in court, Umar can be seen firing a sawn-off shotgun into the back of the victim at point-blank range before Wallace stabs him with a machete. Amoaka is also seen in the footage standing nearby, all during the day and in full-view of passers-by.

    Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and treated the victim at the scene before he was taken to hospital. His injuries were life-changing and he required a number of significant surgeries and extensive time spent in hospital recovering.

    Detective Inspector Iain Wallace from the Specalist Crime Command, who led the investigation, said: “The brutality displayed by Wallace and Umar, while Amoaka stood menacingly by, all in broad daylight and in full view of passers-by is shocking.

    “This has been an incredibly distressing time for the victim and his family. Equally, many of those who witnessed such a vicious attack will still be deeply traumatised and concerned about safety in the community.

    “I hope these lengthy sentences will give the victim some small sense of closure, and allow those in the community to feel safer knowing that Wallace, Umar and Amoaka are no longer on the streets.”

    A determined manhunt began immediately following the attack, with officers speaking to witnesses at the scene as well as painstakingly combing through hours of CCTV footage to understand what took place and to track the movements of the attackers after they fled the scene.

    Umar and Wallace were arrested at an address in Kent on 10 May 2024. During a search of the address, officers found the distinct red trainers that Umar wore during the incident, as well as the multi-coloured trainers Wallace could be seen wearing on CCTV as he attacked the victim. A large black machete matching the one seen on CCTV was also discovered hidden under a bed at the property.

    Amoaka was arrested at an address in Birmingham on 17 May 2024, where officers found a quantity of class A drugs as well as a hunting knife.

    Wallace and Amoaka’s hats were both discarded at the scene after each came off while they chased the victim. They were sent for forensic testing. DNA found on the hats provided a match to both – further proof they had been at the scene.

    Officers also discovered a series of TikTok videos by a gang affiliated with the three men, where those in the videos brazenly claim responsibility for the attack while mocking the victim.

    This helped to further establish a watertight case against Wallace, Umar and Amoaka.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC – 02 04 2025] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 02 APRIL 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 5p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 11,887,656 5.4524    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 11,887,656 5.4524    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    5p ORDINARY PURCHASE 6,870 220.98p
    5p ORDINARY PURCHASE 5,250 224p
    5p ORDINARY SALE 8,870 221.001p
    5p ORDINARY SALE 1,500 222.75p
    5p ORDINARY SALE 6,600 224p
    5p ORDINARY SALE 7,000 225p
    5p ORDINARY SALE 7,980 226.75p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 03 APRIL 2025
    Contact name: MARK ELLIOTT
    Telephone number: 01253 376539

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Correction: Invesco Ltd: Form 8.3 – American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc; Public dealing disclosure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Invesco Ltd.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 02.04.2025  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 Yes, Dowlais Group plc  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: USD 0.01 common US0240611030  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 2,282,988* 1.92      
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 2,282,988* 1.92      
    *The change in the holding of 15 shares since the last disclosure on 02.04.2025 is due to the transfer in of a discretionary holding at 3.95 USD.  
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
    USD 0.01 common US0240611030 Purchase 1,120 3.95 USD  
       
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements, or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 03.04.2025  
    Contact name Philippa Holmes  
    Telephone number +441491417447  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: YMX Logistics CEO Speaking on Panel at ACT Expo on the Electrification of Yard Operations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HENDERSON, Nev., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YMX Logistics, a national leader in integrated yard logistics, including gate management, spotting and shuttling services, trailer rentals, and yard management technology solutions, announces that CEO Matt Yearling will participate on a panel at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, discussing the electrification of logistics.

    Warehouse Sector: Logistics from Storage to Shipment will take place on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM in Room 157 – 159 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. The panel of logistics experts will explore cutting-edge strategies and technologies to maximize the efficiency of distribution centers and manufacturing plants’ operations.

    Manufacturing and distribution facilities are under pressure to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. Discover how technologies like yard trucks, forklifts, and pallet jacks lead the transition to alternative fuels in warehouse operations.

    “With substantial reductions in fuel costs, maintenance expenses, and carbon emissions, EV yard trucks are emerging as a strategic necessity rather than a luxury,” says Matt Yearling, CEO of YMX Logistics. “For enterprise shippers looking to optimize yard operations without taking on the burden of fleet ownership, outsourcing to a specialized yard logistics provider that deploys EV yard trucks offers a scalable, cost-effective path to efficiency and sustainability.”

    Matt Yearling is a strong advocate for electrifying yard operations and will be discussing the need for how yard operations must evolve. He will discuss how YMX has created a new gold standard for yard operations, delivering operational excellence through service excellence, electrification, technology enablement, and process optimization. YMX recently introduced YMS OS, a proprietary logistics framework designed to optimize YMX yard operations through technology-enabled insights and execution. YMX OS is redefining how enterprise yard operations can create value at the intersection of operations and technology.

    Matt will also discuss whether enterprises should manage the transition to EV trucks in-house or outsource yard management to a yard logistics provider. Outsourcing yard operations to an integrated yard logistics provider that operates EV yard trucks can unlock immediate benefits like cost reduction, fuel savings, and lower maintenance costs.

    ACT Expo is the largest conference and trade show highlighting the most advanced transportation technologies and renewable fuels available in the marketplace today. The show serves as the official annual meeting place for 12,000+ transportation leaders looking to gain insight and hands-on access to the fuels, technologies, and vehicles driving the future of transportation. ACT Expo features dozens of product debuts and significant announcements from leading OEMs and suppliers, unparalleled networking opportunities with the industry’s most influential and progressive leaders, peer-to-peer learning for progressive fleet operators, and access to the most extensive assembly of advanced commercial vehicles anywhere.

    ABOUT YMX

    YMX Logistics is trusted by the world’s largest shippers and specializes in sustainable and optimized integrated yard logistics operations, spotting and shuttling services, and yard management technology solutions. With a team that brings decades of experience working for large shippers, Silicon Valley innovators, and top-tier consulting firms, YMX delivers reliable and high-performance outsourced yard and transportation operations to enterprise customers and Fortune 500 companies in the retail, manufacturing, and distribution sectors across North America. For more information, please visit ymxlogistics.com. 

    For More Information, Contact:
    Becky Boyd
    MediaFirst PR
    Cell: (404) 421-8497
    Email: Becky@MediaFirst.Net

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Armed Felon Indicted Following Traffic Stop in Northwest D.C.

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

              WASHINGTON – Trevon Timothy Vines, 30, of Washington, D.C., has been indicted on a federal gun charge in the latest case to be federally adopted as part of the “Make D.C. Safe Again” initiative. 

              The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Sean T. Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

              Vines was indicted on one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Person Convicted of a Crime Punishable by Imprisonment for a Term Exceeding One Year. 

              According to court documents, on March 15, 2025, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the vicinity of 1820 7th Street NW after observing a traffic infraction. It is alleged that during the course of the stop, officers observed several open containers of alcohol and requested that all occupants exit the vehicle.

              It is alleged that one of the occupants, defendant Vines, was seated in the front passenger seat and holding a cup consistent with the others observed. As officers attempted to place Vines in handcuffs, they felt what they immediately recognized to be a handgun on his person in a front left jacket pocket. Vines then began physically resisting, grabbing one officer’s vest and attempting to move him while repeatedly reaching for the weapon forcibly.

              Officers eventually recovered the firearm and discovered that it had been reported stolen from a gun dealer in White Plains, Maryland.

              An investigation revealed that Vines is a convicted felon with multiple prior convictions. At the time of the incident, Vines was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal and D.C. law. He did not have a license to carry or own a firearm in the District of Columbia.

              This case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, ATF Baltimore Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole.

              This case is part of Make D.C. Safe Again, a public safety initiative led by U.S. Attorney Martin that is surging resources to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia. This initiative was created to address gun violence in the District, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenders, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.

              An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

     

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: San Antonio Used Car Dealer Employee Sentenced for Odometer Tampering

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN ANTONIO – A used car dealership manager in San Antonio was sentenced in a federal court to six months in prison and ordered to pay more than $260,000 in restitution for odometer tampering.

    According to court documents, Felipe Alcibar, 62, was the primary party responsible for the day-to-day operations of Autotex Financial, a used car dealership. Beginning no later than October 2020 and continuing until at least November 2023, Alcibar knowingly and intentionally disconnected, reset or altered the odometers on multiple vehicles that had been purchased by Autotex and that were advertised for sale to the general public.

    Alcibar was charged in a one-count information filed Oct. 8, 2024. He pleaded guilty Oct. 30, 2024. In addition to a six month prison sentence, Alcibar was ordered to pay a restitution of $264,747.05.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    The Department of Transportation Office of Odometer Fraud investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chung prosecuted the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Drone Surveying Market One of The Fastest Growing Segments of the Drone Industry as Revenue Opportunity Climbs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The US Drone Surveying Market has been the Global Market Leader in recent years and is expected to continue for years to come. The US has been the market leader in the drone industry since the start of the drone revolution. Across industries, companies have employed drones for their day-to-day operations. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, mining, real estate, and agriculture are some of the prominent end-use industries for the drone surveying market. According to an industry report, the US drone surveying market is expected to witness double-digit market growth in the forecast period and is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 2540.0 million by the end of 2033. The construction and mining industry is expected to be the market leader in the demand for drone surveying services. Increased spending from governments and rising demand for residential and commercial spaces would add a significantly high pace to the overall drone surveying demand in the US. The report said; “Why Land Survey Commands Largest Market Share? The drone land survey as a service is a common one among all industries. The demand for land surveys arises from sectors such as construction, mining, energy, real estate, public administration, and agriculture among others. That is why land survey services contribute most to the drone survey company’s revenue. The drone land survey holds around 53% of the total market share in the drone survey industry. With the help of drone land surveys, companies/institutions get their desired datasets which ultimately help them in making informed decisions. For example, a land survey for infrastructure development can help companies and planning and development by providing required 3D maps or images. It is expected that the land survey market to remain the top revenue contributor for drone survey service providers.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR), EHang (NASDAQ: EH), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT).

    Fact.MR continued: “Construction Industry to Contribute Most to the Drone Surveying Service Demand. The spending on infrastructural development has been all-time high across the major economies of the world. The market players are taking the help of drone service providers in different stages of planning and development. Drone surveying companies provide services for the use of town planning, land record digitalization, urban city development, and other development-related services. With the help of drones, companies are able to cover increased areas (acres of land/area) within no time, and with precise and accurate data. These collected images and data can be easily converted into meaningful output, which can be useful in the planning and development of urban towns. Drone surveying has been very useful for the construction industry by providing important insights with minimal cost and improved efficiency.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Closes Second Southeast Region Acquisition, Wallace Surveying Corporation, Set to Become the Third Acquisition to Power Its National Drone as a Service (DaaS) Business – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has closed the acquisition of Wallace Surveying Corporation (“Wallace”) of West Palm Beach, Florida, a well-established land survey company with thirty years of experience. Wallace provides construction and land development surveys delivering accurate and reliable data that supports project planning and design for developers, contractors, engineers, and architect customers.

    This is ZenaTech’s second acquisition in the Southeast region as part of a larger national roll-up strategy to disrupt the land survey industry by accelerating the use of drones for speed and accuracy benefits. The acquisition also further powers the Company’s national Drone as a Service, or DaaS, business as the third US acquisition set to provide access to the ZenaDrone 1000 and the IQ series. These multifunction drones are set to provide a variety of services including power line inspections, precision agriculture, law enforcement, and search and rescue for natural disasters such as hurricanes.

    “Wallace Surveying Corporation is well respected in the South Florida business community with longstanding existing customer relationships. Its team brings considerable expertise toward our goal of innovating land surveys at scale leveraging advanced drone data collection, data management, mapping and digital deliverables. This acquisition is another step towards our vision to create a national DaaS business, bringing AI drone efficiencies and precision to a variety of legacy verticals and manual tasks,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    ZenaTech’s Drones as a Service or DaaS model is similar to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software solutions over the Internet, the company will offer ZenaDrone solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. Customers can conveniently access drones for eliminating manual or time-consuming tasks achieving more precision, such as for surveying, inspections, security and law enforcement, or farming precision agriculture applications, without having to buy, operate, or maintain the drones themselves.

    The DaaS business model offers customers such as government agencies, real estate developers, construction firms, farmers or energy companies reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, as well as convenience, as there is no need to manage maintenance and operation. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and enables access to advanced drone technology sensors or attachments like spraying, without the need for specialized training.

    Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, designing, and executing of roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/.

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) 2024 Financial Results Shows Revenue and Assets Increase.

    2024 Financial Results:

    • As of December 31, 2024, and consistent with its recent 6K filing, ZenaTech’s 2024 full-year revenue increased by 7% to $1.96 million as compared to $1.82 million for the full year of 2023 (all figures in $Cdn. dollars)
    • Comprehensive loss for the period was ($4.04 million) versus ($.251 million) last year due to increased one-time costs of listing on Nasdaq Capital Market from lawyers, accountants, auditors, financial advisor (investment banker) and other going public expenses
    • Assets have increased over 110% to $34.6 million at year-end 2024, up from $16.4 million at year-end 2023. This is due to the company’s acquisition of three patents, and a total of four software companies. In addition, the company has signed multiple Letters of Intent (LOIs) as part of an acquisition strategy that will tremendously increase future revenue
    • Liabilities continue to be low, having increased $3.7 million to $12.8 million at year-end 2024 from $9.1 million at year-end 2023
    • The Company’s ratio of debt to total capitalization is 31%, which is well within the accepted standard of less than 50%
    • ZenaTech’s existing cash and funds available through lines of credit will be sufficient to finance the next 12 months of the company’s operations. We anticipate that cash generated internally, and lines of credit will be sufficient to fund our drone development and acquisitions
    • Additional information is available from ZenaTech’s 6K filing on the SEC EDGAR website. The company will be filing its 20F by the due date, which is April 30, 2024, for Private Foreign Issuers. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/.

    Other recent developments in the drone/aviation industries include:

    Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR) recently announced a partnership today to build the AI foundation for the future of next-gen aviation technologies. For decades, the aviation industry has made only incremental improvements, constrained by legacy technology and a dominant duopoly in commercial aviation. With the rapid acceleration of AI, as well as breakthroughs in distributed electric propulsion, the industry is now poised for change.

    The two plan to leverage Palantir Foundry and AIP to accelerate the scaling of Archer’s aircraft manufacturing capabilities at its facilities in Georgia and Silicon Valley, with the intent to advance the development of software solutions to drive innovation across the entire value chain.

    This would include the development of next-gen software utilizing AI to improve a range of aviation systems, including air traffic control, movement control and route planning, with the goal of improving efficiency, safety and affordability across the industry.

    Archer and Palantir will formalize this partnership later today during a signing ceremony between Palantir co-founder and CEO, Alex Karp, and Archer founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, at Palantir’s AIPCon.

    EHang (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology platform company, recently announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guangdong EHang General Aviation Co., Ltd. (“EHang General Aviation”), and its joint venture company in Hefei, Hefei HeYi Aviation Co., Ltd. (“HeYi Aviation”), have been granted the first batch of Air Operator Certificates (“OC”) for civil human-carrying pilotless aerial vehicles by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (“CAAC”).

    This milestone officially marks the launch of China’s human-carrying flight era in the low-altitude economy, allowing citizens and consumers to purchase flight tickets for low-altitude tourism, urban sightseeing, and diverse commercial human-carrying flight services at related operation sites in Guangzhou and Hefei. In the future, operators will also gradually expand into more other scenarios such as urban commuting based on operational conditions legally and compliantly. The issuance of the first batch of OCs sets a new benchmark for the low-altitude economy and urban air mobility and further unleashing a more powerful vitality of the new-quality productive forces.

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently reported its financial results for the 2024 Transition Period (as of December 31, 2024 and the eight months then ended) and provides a corporate update.

    “Red Cat’s partnerships and global expansion strategy is already yielding strong results. Over the past few months, we’ve introduced the Black Widow and Edge 130 drones to key international markets, including the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and soon Latin America,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “This momentum underscores growing global interest in our Family of Systems. The ongoing development of Black Widow for the U.S. Army’s SRR Program of Record, bolstered by AI partners like Palantir and Palladyne, we’re not only meeting immediate defense needs—we’re ensuring our warfighters and allies are well equipped for rapidly-evolving battlefield.”

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks.  All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

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

    Contact Information:

    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Invesco Ltd: Form 8.3 – Invesco Ltd: Form 8.3 – DS Smith PLC; Public dealing disclosure; Public dealing disclosure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Invesco Ltd.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 02.04.2025  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 Yes, Dowlais Group plc  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: USD 0.01 common US0240611030  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 2,282,988* 1.92      
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 2,282,988* 1.92      
    *The change in the holding of 15 shares since the last disclosure on 02.04.2025 is due to the transfer in of a discretionary holding at 3.95 USD.  
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
    USD 0.01 common US0240611030 Purchase 1,120 3.95 USD  
       
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements, or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 03.04.2025  
    Contact name Philippa Holmes  
    Telephone number +441491417447  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Invesco Ltd: Form 8.3 – Qualcomm Incorporated; Public dealing disclosure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Invesco Ltd.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Qualcomm Incorporated  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 02.04.2025  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 Yes: Alphawave IP Group plc  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: USD 0.0001 common US7475251036  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 32,392,165* 2.92 6,705 0.00  
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 32,392,165* 2.92 6,705 0.00  
    *The change in the holding of 66,995 shares since the last disclosure on 02.04.2025 is due to the transfer out of a discretionary holding at 153.05 USD.  
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Purchase 1,007 154.08 USD  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Purchase 207 152.26 USD  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Purchase 208 152.05 USD  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Sale 12,022 154.08 USD  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Sale 220 153.44 USD  
       
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements, or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 03.04.2025  
    Contact name Philippa Holmes  
    Telephone number +441491417447  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129. The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs are the highest in decades − an economist explains how that could hurt the US

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Bedassa Tadesse, Professor of Economics, University of Minnesota Duluth

    President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping new tariff plan on April 2, 2025, to reshape U.S. trade and boost domestic industry.

    Framing the announcement as “Liberation Day,” he proposed a 10% tariff on essentially all imports, with steeper rates for major trade partners, including 34% on Chinese goods and 20% on those from the European Union. Starting April 3, a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars and auto parts will take effect – a move that he says will revive U.S. manufacturing and reset America’s trade agenda.

    But the fanfare surrounding the announcement masks a much larger gamble. What’s really at stake is trust – America’s long-standing reputation as a stable and predictable destination for global investment. And once that trust is lost, it’s incredibly hard to win back.

    The strategy is presented as a robust defense of American manufacturing and the middle class. But foreign direct investment – when overseas companies build factories or expand operations in the U.S. – depends on more than just opportunity. It depends on certainty.

    If global investors start to worry that U.S. trade policy can shift abruptly, they may relocate their capital elsewhere. As such, the administration’s aggressive approach to tariffs risks undermining the very confidence that has long made the U.S. a top destination for global capital.

    Auto tariffs as a case in point

    Nowhere is this risk more visible than in the auto industry.

    In 2023 alone, the United States attracted over US$148 billion in foreign direct investment, with nearly $42.9 billion tied to manufacturing, including in the automotive sector. Over the past few decades, major global automakers such as Toyota, BMW and Hyundai have established expansive plants in states including Alabama, Ohio and Kentucky.

    These facilities – many of which have seen significant reinvestment and expansion in recent years, especially in response to the shift toward electric vehicles – employ thousands of Americans and contribute significantly to local economies.

    Trump’s tariff push aims to get automakers to manufacture more vehicles on U.S. soil to overcome rising import costs. It’s a strategy with precedent. During his first term, the threat of auto tariffs, alongside existing plans, helped spur Toyota’s $1.6 billion investment in a North Carolina plant and Volkswagen’s expansion of its operations in Tennessee. It’s not far-fetched to imagine Honda or Mercedes following suit with new factories in Indiana or Texas.

    But here’s the catch: “Made in the USA” doesn’t always mean “made for less.” American auto plants often face productivity and efficiency gaps compared with foreign competitors. Labor costs are higher. Assembly lines move more slowly, partly due to stricter labor protections, less automation and aging infrastructure. And U.S. automakers such as Ford and GM still depend heavily on global supply chains. Even for vehicles assembled in America, about 40% of the parts, such as engines from Canada and wiring harnesses from Mexico, are imported.

    When those parts are taxed, production costs go up. Moody’s estimates that pickups such as the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado could cost $2,000 to $3,000 more as a result. Goldman Sachs projects price hikes of up to $15,000, depending on the vehicle. Automakers then face a dilemma: raise prices and risk losing customers or absorb the costs and cut into their margins.

    A ripple effect across the economy

    Tariffs may protect one industry, but their ripple effects reach much further. They raise costs for other sectors that rely on imported inputs, slow down production by making supply chains more expensive and less efficient, squeeze profit margins, and leave businesses and consumers with harder choices.

    Factories represent billion-dollar investments that take years to recoup their costs. Mixed signals, such as the president calling tariffs “permanent” one moment and negotiable the next, create a climate of uncertainty. That makes companies more hesitant to build, hire and expand.

    And investors are watching closely. If building in the U.S. becomes more expensive and less predictable, is it still a smart long-term bet? When a company is deciding where to build its next battery plant or chip facility, volatility in U.S. policy can be a deal breaker.

    The consequences could surface soon. Goldman Sachs has already lowered its 2025 U.S. GDP growth forecast to 1.7%, down from an earlier 2.2%, citing the administration’s trade policy risks. Consumers, still grappling with inflation and high interest rates, may begin to delay big-ticket purchases, especially as tariffs push prices even higher.

    The international fallout

    America’s trading partners aren’t standing still. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says his country “will fight back – with purpose and with force.” The European Union is exploring duties on American tech firms. Japan, a longtime ally, is signaling unease. If these countries redirect investment to other countries, the U.S. could lose its competitive edge for years to come.

    And while roughly 1 million Americans work in the auto manufacturing industry, more than 150 million make up the total American labor force. When tariffs drive up input costs, it can trigger a chain reaction, hurting retailers, stalling service-sector jobs and slowing overall economic growth.

    Consumers will feel it too. Higher prices mean lower sales, reduced tax revenues and shrinking profits. All of that weakens the economy at a time when household budgets are already strained.

    Lessons from history

    The U.S. has seen how trade policy can shape investment decisions – just in reverse. In the 1980s, Japanese automakers responded to U.S. import quotas not by withdrawing but by building plants in the United States. That response was possible because policies were clear and negotiated, not abrupt or adversarial.

    Today, the story is different. Volatile, unilateral tariffs don’t build trust – they erode it. And when trust erodes, so does investment.

    Yes, a factory in Indiana or Kentucky might reopen. Yet if that comes at the cost of deterring billions of dollars in long-term investment, is it worth it?

    So while the president may celebrate April 2 as Liberation Day, markets may come to see it as the tipping point – when global confidence in the U.S. economy began to falter in earnest.

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

    – ref. Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs are the highest in decades − an economist explains how that could hurt the US – https://theconversation.com/trumps-liberation-day-tariffs-are-the-highest-in-decades-an-economist-explains-how-that-could-hurt-the-us-253685

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark anti-terror legislation gains Royal Assent

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Landmark anti-terror legislation gains Royal Assent

    Martyn’s Law will deliver increased protection by ensuring public premises and events are better prepared in the event of a terrorist attack.

    Premises and events will be better prepared to respond to attacks as landmark legislation known as Martyn’s Law gained Royal Assent and became law today (Thursday 3 April).

    The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 will require public premises where 200 or more individuals may be present, to be better prepared and have plans in place to keep people safe in the event of an attack.

    Larger premises and events where 800 or more people will be present will be required to take further steps to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism – such as having CCTV, bag search policies or vehicle checks where appropriate.

    ‘Martyn’s Law’ is named in tribute to Martyn Hett who was tragically killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017.

    It delivers on the Prime Minister’s personal promise to Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, who has been the driving force in campaigning for this legislation in her son’s memory, that he would bring in this law.

    The Prime Minister invited Figen Murray into Downing Street today to mark this landmark moment and to express the debt of gratitude the nation has for her selfless work to turn such unimaginable pain into a lasting legacy for son Martyn.

    The government is securing Britain’s future through the Plan for Change and this Act delivers a manifesto commitment to strengthen the security of public events and venues.

    Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said:

    Today is a landmark moment for our security as my government delivers on its promise to introduce Martyn’s Law and better protect the public from terrorism.

    Figen’s courage and determination in the face of such unimaginable loss is truly humbling and it is thanks to her campaigning that Martyn’s Law means her son’s legacy will live on forever.

    Security is the foundation of our Plan for Change and the first duty of any government. Martyn’s Law will ensure everyone can enjoy public events more safely and ensure venues across the country have clear, practical measures in place to protect people.

    Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett said:

    My son Martyn Hett was murdered alongside 21 innocent victims in the Manchester Arena terror attack on 22 May 2017, and whilst nothing will bring Martyn back, I am determined to ensure nobody endures what my family has experienced.

    For the last 6 years I have campaigned to introduce measures that will improve security at public venues and how they respond to a terror attack – Martyn’s Law.

    I am grateful to the Prime Minister, the Security Minister and Lord Hanson for how quickly they’ve progressed Martyn’s Law through parliament. But this would not have happened without the tireless support of my co-campaigners Nick Aldworth, Brendan Cox, Nathan Emmerich, my husband Stuart, and my children.

    Over the implementation period it is vital that the government and Security Industry Authority provide all that is necessary for publicly accessible locations to implement Martyn’s Law.

    Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

    Martyn’s Law will significantly strengthen public safety across our country, I’d like to thank Figen Murray for her tireless work to make this law a reality.

    This government is securing Britain’s future through the Plan for Change and, as the eighth anniversary of the attack approaches, this new law delivers upon the lessons from the Manchester Arena Inquiry to keep people safe.

    CTP Senior National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare, Jon Savell, said:

    Martyn’s Law will ensure that the public have additional protection from terrorist attacks while at events and public venues. We will continue to work with businesses and with the government to make sure premises have the support they need to prepare for the implementation of the act.

    Figen Murray has campaigned tirelessly for the introduction of this legislation and it’s thanks to her unwavering determination that it has achieved Royal Assent.

    Mike Kill CEO of the Night Time Industries Association

    The passing of Martyn’s Law into legislation is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to public safety. This law will ensure that venues and events across the UK take appropriate and proportionate steps to protect the public from the evolving threat of terrorism. The NTIA has long supported measures that enhance security while remaining practical for businesses to implement.

    We appreciate the government’s recognition of the challenges businesses face and the commitment to a 24-month implementation period, allowing time for preparation and adaptation. As an industry we will continue working closely with the Home Office, the SIA, and key stakeholders to provide clear guidance and support. Ensuring the safety of our night-time economy and public spaces remains our priority, and we fully support this crucial legislation.

    Security Minster, Dan Jarvis, said:

    I am proud that we have delivered Martyn’s Law as part of our commitment to strengthen the security at public events and venues.

    I would like to pay tribute to Figen Murray, who has been nothing short of inspirational in her campaign for this legislation and a driving force in making it happen.

    Giles Smith, Chief Executive of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) said:

    The SGSA welcomes the passing of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) 2025 legislation.

    Providing a safe, welcoming environment for fans is the SGSA’s top priority and we support the objectives of Martyn’s Law.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP delivers aid to hardest-hit areas in earthquake-stricken Myanmar

    Source: World Food Programme

    Photo: © WFP/Arete/Photolibrary. Mother and children seek shelter after the earthquake in Seinpan ward, Mandalay city on 1st April 2025.

    MANDALAY, Myanmar – Within 48 hours of the powerful earthquake that struck central Myanmar on Friday afternoon, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) began emergency food distributions to affected communities. WFP has so far reached over 24,000 earthquake survivors in four areas, Mandalay, Naypyitaw, Sagaing and Shan, and is scaling up efforts to assist 850,000 affected people.

    Here are the latest updates on WFP’s emergency quake operations in Myanmar.

    WFP Food Distributions

    • WFP has ongoing food assistance operations in the hardest-hit areas of Mandalay, Naypyitaw, Sagaing and Shan. 
    • Sagaing: WFP has reached nearly 4,000 people with food rations in conflict-hit Sagaing, already home to a third of Myanmar’s internally displaced population before the earthquake. 
    • Mandalay City: At the epicentre in Mandalay, WFP has distributed fortified biscuits to more than 15,000 people since 1 April. WFP also reached 480 households – about 2,400 people – in Sein Pan, one of the poorest and worst-impacted ward in Mandalay, where almost every resident lost their home due to the earthquake and a subsequent fire.
    • Southern Shan: WFP and partners have so far reached 4,000 people with assistance. 
    • Nay Pyi Taw: Since food distributions started on 30 March, a total of 1,000 people have received fortified biscuits from WFP.
    • WFP has dispatched more than 100 metric tons of food from Yangon to Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, and Sagaing. 
    • WFP has over 200 metric tons of fortified biscuits available for immediate distribution, with an additional 7,000 metric tons of food stocks in-country to assist those hardest hit.
    • WFP aims to reach 100,000 people with ready-to-eat food in the first phase of response, followed by food assistance for 850,000 people for one month.

    Assessments, logistics and coordination: 

    • WFP has established a central response hub in Nay Pyi Taw to coordinate the earthquake response and has rapidly deployed teams to Mandalay.
    • WFP is collaborating with partners on rapid needs assessments in Mandalay, Sagaing, Shan and Nay Pyi Taw, while also evaluating market access and functionality.
    • An interagency Rapid Needs Assessment is ongoing, with results expected soon.  

     Response challenges:

    • Access to earthquake hit areas and unreliable telecommunications continue to pose challenges for WFP and partners to mount a full-scale response to the massive needs. 
    • WFP urgently needs US$ 40 million to support 850,000 people affected by the earthquake.
    • Myanmar is already facing severe food insecurity, with 15.2 million people – one in four – food insecure. Despite escalating humanitarian needs, WFP’s funding shortfalls recently forced the suspension of assistance to over one million people, leaving only 35,000 of the most vulnerable currently receiving monthly support from WFP.

    Note to the editor: 
    Broadcast quality footage available here
    Hi-res photos available here
    More about WFP’s operations in Myanmar here

    #                     #                       #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media, @WFPAsiaPacific

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/MALAWI – Catholic University: Law Faculty students to provide free legal aid

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Catholic University of Malawi

    Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) – “This year, the Church is celebrating a Jubilee Year with the theme: Pilgrims of Hope. As a falculty, can we not go to our prisons and help liberate those who do not belong there?” asked Father Wilfred Sumani, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of Malawi, in a speech to law faculty students preparing for the “Moot Court” competition (in which teams of law students compete in a mock criminal trial). Father Sumani urged the students to participate in the free defense of prisoners who cannot afford legal representation.Lawyer Noel Chalamanda, the facilitator of the training, expressed his commitment to join the challenge of helping prisoners on pro bono: “I will take on ten cases in this challenge and only require assistance from the students with the paperwork”.In Malawi, there are several cases of arrests based on inadequate investigations, often targeting poor individuals. This contributes to overcrowding in police cells and prisons. Despite legal reforms and the constitutional right of the poor to legal representation, this is rarely guaranteed in practice in Malawi. In addition to legal fees, those involved in a legal dispute also face other logistical costs. A large portion of the population still lives in rural areas. The inaccessibility and lack of functioning and effective legal institutions in rural areas is one of the main reasons why the poor have difficulty accessing the courts. For villagers, the nearest district court can be 25-40 kilometers away. Most villagers cannot afford a personal vehicle, and public transportation is non-existent in rural areas. The only means of transportation available to villagers are walking, cycling, or hitchhiking to court. Furthermore, they must arrive at the courthouse several days before the start of the trial, incurring costs for food and accommodation. The government provides insufficient funding for legal assistance to poor citizens, making it virtually impossible for most defendants. Furthermore, the Malawi Bar Association does not appear to particularly support the practice of pro bono defense. The initiative proposed by the Catholic University of Malawi for the Jubilee Year is therefore intended as a signal to try to change this situation. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 3/4/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Enovix To Acquire Korean Battery Cell Facility to Bolster Manufacturing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enovix Corporation (Nasdaq: ENVX), a global high-performance battery company, today announced the acquisition of battery cell manufacturing assets from SolarEdge, located in South Korea. The acquisition will expand the company’s manufacturing footprint and help position Enovix to meet growing demand in the defense industry. The transaction is expected to close in April 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    Enovix will be acquiring a battery cell manufacturing facility from SolarEdge that is approximately 330,000 square feet, as well as battery cell development and manufacturing equipment. The SolarEdge facility has been operating for over 20 years. The facility to be acquired is directly adjacent to the company’s existing facility in Nonsan City, South Korea. Enovix plans to hire certain members of the SolarEdge Korea team including personnel in the manufacturing, quality, R&D and process engineer departments. The acquisition is expected to expand Enovix’s manufacturing capacity and expedite scaled production.

    “Better batteries are in high demand for many of the economy’s most critical industries, and Enovix is committed to building longer-lasting and more effective batteries that improve the world we live in,” said Dr. Raj Talluri, Enovix CEO and president. “By expanding our battery production facility in Korea we believe we will be able to simplify our supply chain, accelerate the pace of innovation and address the growing list of use cases for defense, industrial and consumer electronics customers.”

    Enovix’s sales from batteries manufactured in its Korea facility are projected to increase in 2025 and 2026 facilitated in part by this acquisition which is expected to improve gross margins going forward. The company also now forecasts a higher sales mix from this facility going to defense and industrial applications.

    “From its inception, Enovix has focused on breakthrough battery innovation and operational excellence,” said T.J. Rodgers, Enovix chairman. “This acquisition is a step in advancing that mission at scale as it will ensure greater control over quality and strengthen our ability to deliver solutions to a wider range of customers more efficiently.”

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance and can be identified by words such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, might, plan, possible, potential, predict, should, would and similar expressions that convey uncertainty about future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, our expectations regarding, and the timing of, the acquisition of battery cell manufacturing assets from SolarEdge; our expectations about, and our ability to respond to, market and customer demand; our customers’ releases of products using our batteries; our financial and business performance; projected improvements in our manufacturing, commercialization and R&D activities; our expectations regarding, and our ability to realize, the benefits of the acquisition, including our ability to expand our manufacturing footprint, the transaction’s ability to position us to meet growing demand in the defense industry, our expectation that the acquisition will expand our manufacturing capacity and expedite scaled production; our ability to simplify our supply chain, accelerate the pace of innovation and address the growing list of use cases for defense, industrial and consumer electronics customers, the projected increase in battery sales in 2025 and 2026 facilitated in part by the acquisition, gross margin improvements expected from the transaction, and our revised forecasts of higher sales mix from this facility going to defense and industrial applications; our ability to realize synergies from the acquisition, including the ability to accelerate product development and deliver products to a wider range of customers more efficiently. Actual results and outcomes could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the satisfaction of applicable closing conditions and the consummation of the contemplated transactions relating to the acquisition, our ability to realize the benefits of and synergies from the acquisition, including those listed above, market acceptance of our products, the impact of technological development and competition, and global economic conditions. For additional information on these risks and uncertainties and other potential factors that could affect our business and financial results or cause actual results to differ from the results predicted, please refer to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other documents that we have filed, or that we will file, with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements made by us in this release speak only as of the date on which they are made and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. We disclaim any obligations to update or alter these forward-looking statements in the future, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    About Enovix
    Enovix is on a mission to deliver high-performance batteries that unlock the full potential of technology products. Everything from IoT, mobile, and computing devices, to vehicles and headsets, needs a better battery. The company has developed an innovative, materials-agnostic approach to building a higher performing battery without compromising safety, and it partners with OEMs worldwide to usher in a new era of user experiences.

    Enovix is headquartered in Silicon Valley with facilities in India, Korea and Malaysia. For more information visit www.enovix.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.

    Investor Contact:
    Enovix Corporation
    Robert Lahey
    Email: ir@enovix.com

    Media Contact:
    Bateman Agency for Enovix
    Kaelyn Attridge 
    Email: enovix@bateman.agency

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: €157 million finance package for private Ukraine wind farms

    Source: Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

    Press Release | 03-Apr-2025

    Loans from EBRD, IFC and BSTDB, supported by EU, the UK, and CIF’s CTF, will boost Ukraine’s energy security

    • International finance package of €157 million for private wind project to boost Ukraine’s energy security
    • Project is co-financed by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation and Black Sea Trade and Development Bank
    • The European Union (EU), the United Kingdom and Climate Investment Funds’ (CIF’s) Clean Technology Fund (CFT) supported the mobilisation of the finance package
    • Deal marks a pivotal step in advancing Ukraine’s shift towards renewable energy

    An international finance package will bring €157 million of project finance debt to a private wind power project that aims to boost Ukraine’s energy security. The deal, announced today in Kyiv, is co-financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) and supported by the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, and the Climate Investment Funds’ (CIF’s) Clean Technology Fund (CTF).

    One of the first greenfield private projects in Ukraine’s power sector since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this project forms part of efforts to advance Ukraine’s shift towards renewable energy generation as well as bolster its energy security following attacks from Russia on the country’s energy generation infrastructure.

    The EBRD and IFC will each lend €60 million and BSTDB €37 million. The total cost of the project is estimated at €225 million (excluding VAT), with the rest to be met by equity from the project sponsor, GNG Group or Galnaftogaz, widely known in Ukraine as OKKO Group. The loans are to Wind Power GSI Volyn LLC and Wind Power GSI Volyn 3 LLC, special purpose vehicles incorporated in Ukraine.

    The loans will support OKKO to construct and operate wind power plants in Ukraine with a combined capacity of 147 MW. The plants are expected to generate at least 380 GWh of renewable zero carbon electricity annually, resulting in carbon dioxide emission savings of approximately 245,000 tons per year.

    The EBRD’s funding will be backed by financial guarantees from the European Union provided under its Ukraine facility, the Ukraine Investment Framework. This comes from the Ukraine Investment Framework Hi-Bar guarantee programme, which supports both new and existing climate mitigation technologies, in particular in the energy sector, in line with the EU’s detailed Ukraine Plan.

    IFC and BSTDB’s loans are backed by guarantees from the European Union under the Ukraine Investment Framework as part of IFC’s Better Futures Program: RE-Ukraine. The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provided £3.8 million (€4.5 million) in grant funding as a first loss guarantee to enable the mobilisation of IFC and BSTDB’s loans. IFC’s funding package also includes €10 million in debt financing from the CTF and was enabled by pre-investment work through which IFC helped optimise the project structure in a highly volatile market environment. This was possible thanks to support from Austria’s Federal Ministry of Finance and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.

    “We are grateful to our partners for their long-term, sustainable cooperation, which is especially valuable during wartime — for both business and the country as a whole. This project addresses several key challenges at once. Firstly, it strengthens the country’s energy security and independence. Secondly, it advances the transition to zero-emission electricity production,” said OKKO Chief Executive Officer Vasyl Danyliak.

    “With significant power generation capacity in Ukraine destroyed as a result of the war, this investment is crucial to address the severe current energy shortfall, support Ukraine’s decarbonisation goals and boost the private sector’s role in further development of the renewable energy sector in the country,” said Matteo Patrone, the EBRD’s Vice President, Banking.

    Ines Rocha, IFC’s Regional Director for Europe, said: “This project will ensure that people can keep the lights on, stay warm and connected – therefore marking a significant milestone in Ukraine’s recovery. While paving the way for a more resilient Ukraine, this transaction also sends a clear signal about the country’s readiness for private investment and ability to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

    “Ukraine’s energy sector has faced unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing crisis, making the diversification and resilience of its power infrastructure more critical than ever. Supporting projects that strengthen the country’s energy independence and accelerate its transition to renewable energy is a priority for BSTDB. This wind power project is a tangible step toward building a sustainable energy future for Ukraine. We are proud to stand alongside our development partners in mobilizing essential resources, enabling investments that will help restore and stabilize Ukraine’s energy supply while fostering long-term economic recovery and environmental sustainability,” said Dr Serhat Köksal, BSTDB President.

    “This is a smart investment at a critical time. It boosts Ukraine’s energy security and supports its shift to renewables. The EU is glad to help make it happen,” said Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

    The EBRD and IFC have been supporting OKKO Group, their client since 2005, to move forward with the decarbonisation strategy it is pursuing against the backdrop of Russia’s war on Ukraine, as it prepares for Ukraine’s integration into the European Union and a future net-zero economy. The EBRD, which initially supported the group to grow its petroleum retail business, branded OKKO, into the one of the largest national fuel retail chains in the country, also financed GNG’s first biofuel project last year.

    The BSTDB’s partnership with OKKO Group has been ongoing for over 20 years, with the first transaction closed back in 2004, unlocking subsequently the Company’s potential to a wider investment community. Since then, BSTDB and OKKO Group have entered into several financings, contributing to the Company’s expansion and operational success. Supporting projects that strengthen the country’s energy independence and accelerate its transition to renewable energy is a priority for BSTDB.

    As part of the wind project, tailored technical cooperation from the EBRD, provided by the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund, will strengthen the client’s ability to detect cybersecurity threats.

    The EBRD, a leading climate financier, has offered Ukraine strong support in wartime, making almost €6.5 billion available to support the country’s real economy since 2022. It has secured shareholders’ agreement for a €4 billion capital increase to continue its Ukraine investments. Energy security is one of its five priority investment areas, along with support for vital infrastructure, food security, trade and the private sector.

     

    Wind Power GSI Volyn LLC and/or Wind Power GSI Volyn 3 LLC are Ukraine-incorporated legal entities established as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) in charge of the development, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of project. The special purpose vehicle is owned and controlled by Galnaftogaz.

    JSC “Concern Galnaftogaz (GNG), is an independent petroleum products distribution company in Ukraine. It operates one of the largest and most efficient gas filling stations networks in the county under the OKKO brand. Besides distribution of light petroleum products, the Company also actively participates in the petroleum wholesale market and provides logistics services to other distribution companies

    The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB)is an international financial institution headquartered in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation in the countries of the greater Black Sea region by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. Through its active role in the partnership with other MDBs and donors, BSTDB continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering a resilient energy infrastructure in Ukraine and throughout the wider Black Sea region, with a focus on sustainable development, climate resilience, and energy security.

    For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org

     

    Contact: Haroula Christodoulou

    : @BSTDB

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, February 2025

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $122.7 billion in February, down $8.0 billion from $130.7 billion in January, revised.

    U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Deficit
    Deficit: $122.7 Billion  –6.1%°
    Exports: $278.5 Billion  +2.9%°
    Imports: $401.1 Billion     0.0%°

    Next release: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

    (°) Statistical significance is not applicable or not measurable. Data adjusted for seasonality but not price changes

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, April 3, 2025

    Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1)

    February exports were $278.5 billion, $8.0 billion more than January exports. February imports were $401.1 billion, less than $0.1 billion less than January imports.

    The February decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $8.8 billion to $147.0 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $0.8 billion to $24.3 billion.

    Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $117.1 billion, or 86.0 percent, from the same period in 2024. Exports increased $24.0 billion or 4.6 percent. Imports increased $141.2 billion or 21.4 percent.

    Three-Month Moving Averages (exhibit 2)

    The average goods and services deficit increased $14.8 billion to $117.1 billion for the three months ending in February.

    • Average exports increased $1.6 billion to $271.8 billion in February.
    • Average imports increased $16.5 billion to $389.0 billion in February.

    Year-over-year, the average goods and services deficit increased $50.1 billion from the three months ending in February 2024.

    • Average exports increased $10.2 billion from February 2024.
    • Average imports increased $60.3 billion from February 2024.

    Exports (exhibits 3, 6, and 7)

    Exports of goods increased $8.3 billion to $181.9 billion in February.

      Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $6.2 billion.

    • Industrial supplies and materials increased $3.0 billion.
      • Nonmonetary gold increased $3.2 billion.
      • Fuel oil decreased $1.0 billion.
    • Capital goods increased $2.7 billion.
      • Computer accessories increased $0.9 billion.
      • Civilian aircraft increased $0.5 billion.
    • Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines increased $1.6 billion.
      • Passenger cars increased $1.0 billion.
      • Trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles increased $0.6 billion.
    • Other goods decreased $1.3 billion. (See the “Notice” for more information.)

      Net balance of payments adjustments increased $2.1 billion.

    Exports of services decreased $0.4 billion to $96.5 billion in February.

    • Transport decreased $0.3 billion.
    • Travel decreased $0.3 billion.
    • Government goods and services decreased $0.2 billion.
    • Financial services increased $0.2 billion.

    Imports (exhibits 4, 6, and 8)

    Imports of goods decreased $0.5 billion to $328.9 billion in February.

      Imports of goods on a Census basis decreased $0.6 billion.

    • Industrial supplies and materials decreased $4.2 billion.
      • Finished metal shapes decreased $2.6 billion.
      • Nonmonetary gold decreased $1.3 billion
    • Consumer goods increased $2.4 billion.
      • Cell phones and other household goods increased $1.5 billion.
      • Pharmaceutical preparations increased $1.2 billion.
    • Capital goods increased $1.0 billion.
      • Computers increased $0.7 billion.
      • Medical equipment increased $0.5 billion.
      • Civilian aircraft decreased $0.7 billion.

      Net balance of payments adjustments increased $0.1 billion.

    Imports of services increased $0.5 billion to $72.2 billion in February.

    • Travel increased $0.2 billion.
    • Charges for the use of intellectual property increased $0.1 billion.

    Real Goods in 2017 Dollars – Census Basis (exhibit 11)

    The real goods deficit decreased $6.9 billion, or 4.8 percent, to $135.4 billion in February, compared to a 4.4 percent decrease in the nominal deficit.

    • Real exports of goods increased $4.9 billion, or 3.4 percent, to $147.9 billion, compared to a 3.6 percent increase in nominal exports.
    • Real imports of goods decreased $2.0 billion, or 0.7 percent, to $283.3 billion, compared to a 0.2 percent decrease in nominal imports.

    Revisions

    Revisions to January exports

    • Exports of goods were revised up $0.8 billion.
    • Exports of services were revised down $0.2 billion.

    Revisions to January imports

    • Imports of goods were revised down $0.1 billion.
    • Imports of services were revised up $0.1 billion.

    Goods by Selected Countries and Areas: Monthly – Census Basis (exhibit 19)

    The February figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with South and Central America ($4.8), Netherlands ($4.1), United Kingdom ($3.4), Hong Kong ($2.4), Belgium ($0.8), Brazil ($0.4), and Saudi Arabia ($0.2). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with European Union ($30.9), China ($26.6), Switzerland ($18.8), Mexico ($16.8), Ireland ($14.0), Vietnam ($12.4), Taiwan ($8.7), Germany ($8.1), Canada ($7.3), India ($5.6), Japan ($5.2), Italy ($5.1), South Korea ($4.5), Malaysia ($3.1), Australia ($2.1), France ($1.5), Singapore ($1.1), and Israel ($0.7).

    • The deficit with Switzerland decreased $4.0 billion to $18.8 billion in February. Exports increased $0.7 billion to $2.5 billion and imports decreased $3.3 billion to $21.3 billion.
    • The balance with the United Kingdom shifted from a deficit of $0.5 billion in January to a surplus of $3.4 billion in February. Exports increased $3.3 billion to $9.5 billion and imports decreased $0.6 billion to $6.1 billion.
    • The deficit with the European Union increased $5.4 billion to $30.9 billion in February. Exports decreased $2.3 billion to $29.9 billion and imports increased $3.2 billion to $60.8 billion.

    All statistics referenced are seasonally adjusted; statistics are on a balance of payments basis unless otherwise specified. Additional statistics, including not seasonally adjusted statistics and details for goods on a Census basis, are available in exhibits 1-20b of this release. For information on data sources, definitions, and revision procedures, see the explanatory notes in this release. The full release can be found at www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/index.html or www.bea.gov/data/intl-trade-investment/international-trade-goods-and-services. The full schedule is available in the Census Bureau’s Economic Briefing Room at www.census.gov/economic-indicators/ or on BEA’s website at www.bea.gov/news/schedule.

    Next release: May 6, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EDT
    U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, March 2025

    Notice

    Impact of Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Release of CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM)

    The CBSA introduced a new accounting system (CARM) on October 21, 2024. As a result, importers in Canada have experienced delays in filing shipment information. These delays affected the compilation of statistics on U.S. exports of goods to Canada for September 2024 through February 2025, which are derived from data compiled by Canada through the United States – Canada Data Exchange. A dollar estimate of the filing backlog is included in estimates for late receipts and, following the U.S. Census Bureau’s customary practice for late receipt estimates, is included in the export end-use category “Other goods” as well as in exports to Canada. This estimate will be replaced with the actual transactions reported by the Harmonized System classification in June 2025 with the release of “U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, Annual Revision.” Until then, please refer to the supplemental spreadsheet “CARM Exports to Canada Corrections,” which provides a breakdown of the late receipts by 1-digit end-use category for statistics through 2024. This spreadsheet will be updated as late export transactions are received to reflect reassignments from the initial “Other goods” category to the appropriate 1-digit end-use category. Any 2025 impacts will be revised in June 2026.

    If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division, International Trade Macro Analysis Branch, on 800-549-0595, option 4, or at eid.international.trade.data@census.gov.

    Upcoming Updates to Goods and Services

    With the releases of the “U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services” report (FT-900) and the FT-900 Annual Revision on June 5, 2025, statistics on trade in goods, on both a Census basis and a balance of payments (BOP) basis, will be revised beginning with 2020 and statistics on trade in services will be revised beginning with 2018. The revised statistics for goods on a BOP basis and for services will also be included in the “U.S. International Transactions, 1st Quarter 2025 and Annual Update” report and in the international transactions interactive database, both to be released by BEA on June 24, 2025.

    Revised statistics on trade in goods will reflect:

    • Corrections and adjustments to previously published not seasonally adjusted statistics for goods on a Census basis.
    • End-use reclassifications of several commodities.
    • Recalculated seasonal and trading-day adjustments.
    • Newly available and revised source data on BOP adjustments, which are adjustments that BEA applies to goods on a Census basis to convert them to a BOP basis. See the “Goods (balance of payments basis)” section in the explanatory notes for more information.

    Revised statistics on trade in services will reflect:

    • Newly available and revised source data, primarily from BEA surveys of international services.
    • Corrections and adjustments to previously published not seasonally adjusted statistics.
    • Recalculated seasonal adjustments.
    • Revised temporal distributions of quarterly source data to monthly statistics. See the “Services” section in the explanatory notes for more information.

    A preview of BEA’s 2025 annual update of the International Transactions Accounts will be available in the Survey of Current Business later in April 2025.

    If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division, International Trade Macro Analysis Branch, on (800) 549-0595, option 4, or at eid.international.trade.data@census.gov or BEA, Balance of Payments Division, at InternationalAccounts@bea.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coventry pupil helps E.ON Next drive to net zero

    Source: City of Coventry

    An Aldermoor Farm Primary School pupil has had their design brought to life as the wrap for E.ON Next’s newest electric vans.

    The vans will transport E.ON Next engineers to homes around Coventry and the surrounding area, installing smart meters and other sustainable energy solutions.

    The initiative is part of E.ON’s pioneering 15-year partnership with Coventry City Council, helping to make the city more sustainable.

    Y6 pupil at Aldermoor Farm Primary School, Fredrica, had her design chosen as part of a series of workshops previously run by E.ON across Coventry, aimed at educating and inspiring pupils about sustainability, renewable energy and the initiatives happening in their city to promote new types of energy, cleaner air and green jobs and skills.

    The eye-catching design, which features a bold message to ‘save energy’ will adorn two E.ON Next vans tasked with transporting E.ON Next engineers as they work to deliver net zero by installing a variety of sustainable energy solutions.

    Fredrica said: “I was really excited to hear that my design had been chosen. I thought of a quick and easy way to get the message across. Lots of adverts have too many words so I wanted to choose something that would have an immediate impact. Saving energy should be everyone’ s life goal. We can all contribute by doing simple things like turning off the lights and not wasting electricity.”

    The vans were proudly presented to Fredrica and her fellow classmates by Phil Gilbert, Director of Net Zero Delivery at E.ON Next and Councillor Jim O’Boyle Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council at an unveiling ceremony at Aldermoor Farm Primary School.

    Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: “It’s brilliant that Fredrica’s amazing design will be seen all over the city. It’s bold and clear and that’s exactly the right approach for such an important issue – the drive to net zero. Young people understand this as well as anyone and this competition really caught the imagination of local school pupils making it hard to select a winner. Our Strategic Energy Partnership is all about transforming the city’s approach to carbon reduction and through initiatives like this, the next generation of homeowners, drivers and energy users are learning about it early which is great.”

    Phil Gilbert, Director of Net Zero Delivery at E.ON Next, said: “The only way we’ll deliver our new energy world is if everyone feels energised and enthusiastic about a more sustainable future. And this initiative, as part of our Strategic Energy Partnership with Coventry Council, does exactly that. We’re so proud of the fantastic effort the pupils at Aldermoor Farm have put into this initiative, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the winning design. These electric vans will now join our fleet and support our engineers installing smart meters and other sustainable energy solutions like solar panels, heat pumps and EV chargers across the region.”

    Lucy Wright, Headteacher at Aldermoor Farm Primary School, said: “When I was told that a child at this school won the competition, I felt immense pride. Fredrica has truly embodied our value of ‘aspirational’ and I’m certain her example can inspire all children to have the highest of expectations for themselves. The vans look incredible with Fredrica’s design and seeing her name on the vans was the best of all. To have a student’s name on something so publicly positive is an almost indescribable feeling. Well done, Fredrica!”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council and partners join forces in city-wide clean up

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Days of action team in Burslem

    Published: Thursday, 3rd April 2025

    Teams from the council worked with Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue and other key agencies in a series of days of action in town centres from 20-28 March.

    The city council joined forces with police and other partners to clean up neighbourhoods and tackle anti-social behaviour across Stoke-on-Trent.
     

    Teams from the council worked with Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue and other key agencies in a series of days of action in town centres from 20-28 March.
     

    The teams – who were active in Burslem, Longton, Stoke, Tunstall, and Hanley – tackled a wide range of community concerns.
     

    Police took action against a number of criminal activities, including issues relating to drugs.

    Staffordshire Fire and Rescue inspected hazardous buildings and conducted hydrant checks.
     

    Action led by city council teams included:

    • Supporting rough sleepers to access essential services
    • Inspecting empty homes to ensure they were safe
    • Clearing illegal rubbish dumping
    • Enforcing parking rules and issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)
    • Issuing fines and warning letters for untidy properties
    • Licensing and Trading Standards checks on local businesses

    The days of action had positive impacts across the city.
     

    In Broomhill Street in Tunstall, four vehicles were seized by the DVLA for having no insurance, while Environmental Crime officers cleared seven wagons of waste from the area.
     

    They also took down fencing which had been used to create extra garden space without planning permission. The householder at the address had also wired his property to a nearby lamppost and was illegally taking electricity, which was made safe by National Grid.
     

    Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “It’s great to see so many partners out and about with us, sharing the same vision and helping people get the support they need.
     

    “We are committed to making Stoke-on-Trent a cleaner, greener and safer place for all who live, work and visit here.
     

    “We are acting on residents’ concerns, and all reports are taken seriously.”

    Councillor Majid Khan, cabinet member for safe and resilient communities at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Activity doesn’t just happen during these days of action.
     

    “Our Trading Standards, Anti-Social Behaviour, Parking and Environmental Crime teams are out across the city every day.”
     

    Stoke North Inspector Victoria Ison, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This activity follows months of successful enforcement operations with our partners at the city council to target those blighting local people across Stoke-on-Trent.
     

    “More than 260 people have been arrested since we launched our Making Great Places initiative with local partners.
     

    “We’re working in partnership with the council to continue addressing the concerns of local communities and to take robust action against those responsible for harm across the city.
     

    To report any concerns please call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    If you are concerned about anyone sleeping rough, contact the Outreach Team on 0800 970 2304 or via the Streetlink website.

    Illegal dumping can be reported to Environmental Crime on 01782 234234 or via email at environmental.crime@stoke.gov.uk and the Drug and Alcohol Service can be contacted on 01782 283113.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement by the Trade Secretary on US Tariffs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Oral statement to Parliament

    Statement by the Trade Secretary on US Tariffs

    The Business and Trade Secretary’s statement to Parliament on the imposition of US tariffs.

    With your permission Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the United Kingdom’s economic relationship with the United States.

    The UK has a strong and balanced trading relationship with the US worth £315 billion which supports 2.5 million jobs across both countries. This is second only to the EU where our trading relationship is worth £791 billion.

    Yesterday evening, the United States announced a 10% reciprocal tariff on UK exports and have today imposed a 25% global tariff on cars. This follows the application of tariffs of 25% on US imports of steel, aluminium and derivative products that was announced on 12 March.

    No country was able to secure an exemption from these announcements, but the UK did receive the lowest reciprocal tariff rate globally. And though this vindicates the pragmatic approach this Government has taken, we know that while these tariffs are still being levied, the job is far from done.

    We are, of course, disappointed by the increase in tariffs on the UK, and on other countries around the world. The impact will be felt amongst all trading nations. But I would like to update the House on how the UK can navigate these turbulent times, acting in our national interest and for the benefit of all our industries.

    I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my American counterparts, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Special Envoy Mark Burnett for their engagement over the last few months. While any imposition of tariffs is deeply regrettable, from the beginning, they promised to make themselves available and have been true to their word, and I look forward to our continued engagement over the days ahead.

    As Members will know, since the new US administration took office, my colleagues and I have been engaged in intensive discussions on an economic deal between the US and the UK. One that would not just avoid the imposition of significant tariffs but that would deepen our economic relationship. On everything from defence, economic security, financial services, machinery, tech and regulation there are clear synergies between the US and UK markets. And this is reflected in the fair and balanced trading relationship that already exists between our two countries.

    I can confirm to the House that those talks are ongoing and will remain so. It is this Government’s view that a deal is not just possible, it is favourable to both countries. And that this course of action serves Britain’s interests as an open-facing trading nation. I have been in contact with many businesses, across a broad range of sectors including those most affected, who have very much welcomed this approach. It is clear to me that industry themselves want to grasp the opportunity a deal can offer and they welcome this government’s cool-headed approach.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, in increasingly insecure times – I have heard some Members cling to the security of simple answers and loud voices. I understand the compulsion, but I caution members of this House to keep calm and remain clear eyed on what is in our national interest not to simply proclaim that we follow the actions of other countries.

    The British people rightly expect this Government to keep our country secure at home and strong abroad. An unnecessary, escalating trade war would serve neither purpose.

    True strength comes in making the right choices at the right time. And thanks to the actions of our Prime Minister, who has restored Britain’s place on the world stage, the UK is in a unique position to do a deal where we can – and respond when we must.

    It remains our belief that the best route to economic stability for working people is a negotiated deal with the US that builds on our shared strengths. However, we do reserve the right to take any action we deem necessary if a deal is not secured.

    To enable the UK to have every option open to us in the future, I am today launching a request for input on the implications for British businesses of possible retaliatory action. This is a formal step, necessary for us to keep all options on the table. We will seek the views of UK stakeholders over four weeks until 1st May 2025 on products that could potentially be included in any UK tariff response. This exercise will also give businesses the chance to have their say, and influence the design of any possible UK response.

    If we are in a position to agree an economic deal with the US that lifts the tariffs that have been placed on our industries, this request for input will be paused, and any measures flowing from that, will be lifted.  

    Further information on the request for input will be published on gov.uk later today, alongside an indicative list of potential products that the Government considers most appropriate for inclusion.

    I know this will be an anxious time for all businesses, not just those with direct links to America. Let me say very clearly that we stand ready to support businesses through this. That starts by making sure they have reliable information. Any business which is concerned about what these changes mean for them can find clear guidance and support on great.gov.uk where there is now a bespoke webpage.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, this Government was elected to bring security back to working people’s lives. At a time of volatility, businesses and workers alike are looking to the Government to keep our heads, to act in the national interest and navigate Britain through this period. And while some urge escalation, I simply will not play politics with people’s jobs.

    This Government will strive for a deal that supports our industries and the well-paid jobs that come with them, while preparing our trade defences and keeping all options on the table.

    It is the right approach to defend the UK’s domestic industries from the direct and indirect impacts of US tariffs in a way that is both measured and proportionate, while respecting the rules-based international trading system.

    As the world continues to change around us, British workers and businesses can be assured of one constant: that this is a Government that will not be set off course in choppy waters. So the final part of our approach will be to turbo boost the work this government is doing to make our economy stronger and more secure including our new industrial strategy. We will strike trade deals with our partners, and work closely with our allies for our shared prosperity.

    We have a clear destination to deliver that economic security for working people.

    We are progressing a deal that can do that, we are laying the foundations to move quickly should it not, and we are ensuring British businesses have a clear voice in what happens next. And I commend this statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kentucky Survivors: Tornado and Flood Safety Information

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Kentucky Survivors: Tornado and Flood Safety Information

    Kentucky Survivors: Tornado and Flood Safety Information

    FRANKFORT, Ky

    –When a tornado warning is issued, immediately seek the best available refuge area

    Your chance of surviving improves if you follow these guidelines

    Where to go during a tornado Best OptionsAbove or below ground tornado storm shelterSpecifically designed FEMA safe roomGood OptionsInterior room of a well-constructed home or buildingBasementBad OptionsLarge open rooms like gymnasiumsManufactured housingWorst OptionsMobile homesVehiclesUnderneath a highway overpass What to do during a floodStay Informed: Listen to radio and television, including NOAA weather radio, if possible, check the Internet and social media for information and updates

    Get to Higher Ground: If you live in a flood prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately

    Obey Evacuation Orders: If told to evacuate, do so immediately

    Lock your home when you leave

    If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances

    Practice Electrical Safety: Don’t go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged

    If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping or popping noises–get out! Stay out of water that may have electricity in it!Avoid Flood Waters: Don’t walk through flood waters

    It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet

    If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible

    Do NOT drive into flooded roadways or around a barricade; Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Water may be deeper than it appears and can hide hazards such as sharp objects, washed out road surfaces, electrical wires, chemicals, etc

    A vehicle caught in swiftly moving water can be swept away in seconds 12 inches of water can float a car or small SUV, 18 inches of water can carry away large vehicles

    Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water

    Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car

    Get to the highest level if trapped in a building

    Only get on the roof if necessary and once there signal for help

    Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater

    martyce

    allenjr
    Wed, 04/02/2025 – 20:18

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What Are the Dangers of Going to Space? We Asked a NASA Expert: Episode 55

    Source: NASA

    [embedded content]

    What are the dangers of going to space?
    For human spaceflight, the first thing I think about is the astronauts actually strapping themselves to a rocket. And if that isn’t dangerous enough, once they launch and they’re out into space in deep exploration, we have to worry about radiation.
    Radiation is coming at them from all directions. From the Sun, we have solar particles. We have galactic cosmic rays that are all over in the universe. And those cause damage to DNA. On Earth here, we use sunscreen to protect us from DNA damage. Our astronauts are protected from the shielding that’s around them in the space vehicles.
    We also have to worry about microgravity. So what happens there? We see a lot of bone and muscle loss in our astronauts. And so to prevent this, we actually have the astronauts exercising for hours every day. And of course we don’t want to run out of food on a space exploration mission. So we want to make sure that we have everything that the astronauts need to take with them to make sure that we can sustain them.
    There are many risks associated with human space exploration. NASA has been planning for these missions to make our astronauts return home safely.
    [END VIDEO TRANSCRIPT]
    Full Episode List
    Full YouTube Playlist

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom signs legislation 4.2.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 2, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bill:

    • SB 26 by Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) – Civil actions: restitution for or replacement of a new motor vehicle. A signing message can be found here.


    For full text of the bill, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. 

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Apr 2, 2025

    News What you need to know: Soil is starting to be placed over the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Southern California – an important milestone as the world’s largest wildlife crossing comes to fruition. LOS ANGELES – The world’s largest wildlife crossing is…

    Apr 2, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced the release of the Master Plan for Career Education, a bold statewide strategy to connect Californians — especially those in rural parts of the state — to high-paying, fulfilling careers, with or without a college…

    Apr 2, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring April 2025, as Autism Acceptance Month.  The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATION This month, California joins communities around the world in…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: World’s largest wildlife crossing reaches new milestone as habitat project begins

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 2, 2025

    What you need to know: Soil is starting to be placed over the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Southern California – an important milestone as the world’s largest wildlife crossing comes to fruition.

    LOS ANGELES – The world’s largest wildlife crossing is beginning to take shape.

    Caltrans and the National Wildlife Federation celebrated the beginning of a project that will cover nearly an acre of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing with soil – making it easier for wildlife to move through its habitat. 

    Crews placed the first layers of soil over the bridge, which will span ten lanes of the U.S. Highway 101 freeway in the city of Agoura Hills. The total soil placement for the project will require approximately 6,000 cubic yards and will take several weeks to complete.

    California is a state of dreamers and doers – and with the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, we’ve turned our dreaming into doing. As soil gets placed over the bridge, we’re one step closer to reconnecting wildlife with habitat that’s been divided for generations. We’re not only making habitats whole again, we’re making our roads safer.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    This milestone represents a significant step toward the restoration of an ecological corridor that will support a variety of local wildlife, including mountain lions, deer, bats, bobcats, desert cottontails, monarch butterflies and more. Weather permitting, planting of approximately 5,000 native plants will begin in May.

    “Wildlife crossings are unique because they allow people and nature to thrive together,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “By building the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, Caltrans is supporting transportation infrastructure that will not only reconnect and restore habitats but also reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife and enhance highway safety.”

    The bridge will feature coastal sage scrub plant species native to the Santa Monica Mountains, contributing to the overall environmental restoration strategy that includes 12 acres of open space and 50,000 native plants.

    How we got here

    On Earth Day 2022, Governor Newsom participated in the groundbreaking for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a public-private partnership of monumental scope that has leveraged the expertise and leadership of dozens of organizations and institutions to protect and restore wildlife habitats in Southern California.

    Wildlife crossings of all kinds are essential to building a network of interconnected conserved lands and waters that protect and restore biodiversity while also supporting transportation infrastructure.

    Habitat connectivity provided by wildlife crossings is critical to the success of California’s 30×30 targets and allows people and nature to thrive together.

    To learn more about California infrastructure projects, visit build.ca.gov. 

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Apr 2, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced the release of the Master Plan for Career Education, a bold statewide strategy to connect Californians — especially those in rural parts of the state — to high-paying, fulfilling careers, with or without a college…

    Apr 2, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring April 2025, as Autism Acceptance Month.  The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATION This month, California joins communities around the world in…

    Mar 31, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring March 31, 2025, as César Chávez Day.The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONThroughout his life of work and service, César Chávez empowered…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Syria: Coastal massacres of Alawite civilians must be investigated as war crimes

    Source: Amnesty International –

    • Government affiliated militias deliberately killed civilians from Alawite minority  
    • Syrian government must ensure independent, effective investigations of these unlawful killings and other war crimes and hold perpetrators to account 
    • Truth, justice and reparation crucial to ending cycles of atrocities 

    The Syrian government must ensure that the perpetrators of a wave of mass killings targeting Alawite civilians in coastal areas are held accountable and take immediate steps to ensure that no person or group is targeted on the basis of their sect, Amnesty International said today.  

    Militias affiliated with the government, killed more than 100 people in the coastal city of Banias on 8 and 9 March 2025, according to information received by Amnesty International. The organization has investigated 32 of the killings, and concluded that they were deliberate, targeted at the Alawite minority sect and unlawful.  

    Armed men asked people if they were Alawite before threatening or killing them and, in some cases, appeared to blame them for violations committed by the former government, witnesses told Amnesty International. Families of victims were forced by the authorities to bury their loved one in mass burial sites without religious rites or a public ceremony. 

    “The perpetrators of this horrifying wave of brutal mass killings must be held accountable. Our evidence indicates that government affiliated militias deliberately targeted civilians from the Alawite minority in gruesome reprisal attacks – shooting individuals at close range in cold blood. For two days, authorities failed to intervene to stop the killings. Once again, Syrian civilians have found themselves bearing the heaviest cost as parties to the conflict seek to settle scores,” said Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard. 

    “Deliberately killing civilians or deliberately killing injured, surrendered or captured fighters is a war crime.   States have an obligation to ensure prompt, independent, effective and impartial investigations into allegations of unlawful killings and to hold perpetrators of international crimes to account.  

    Without justice, Syria risks falling back into a cycle of further atrocities and bloodshed.

    Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard

    “Syrians have already endured more than a decade of impunity for the grave violations and mass atrocities by Assad’s government and armed groups. The latest massacres targeting the Alawite minority create new scars in a country already burdened by too many unhealed wounds. It is critical that the new authorities deliver truth and justice for the victims of these crimes, to signal a break with the past and zero tolerance for attacks on minorities. Without justice, Syria risks falling back into a cycle of further atrocities and bloodshed”. 

    On 6 March 2025, armed groups affiliated with the former government led by President Bashar al-Assad launched multiple coordinated attacks on security and military sites in the coastal governorates of Latakia and Tartous. In response, the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior, backed by supporting militias launched a counteroffensive, leading to a significant escalation of violence. By 8 March, the authorities announced they had regained control of all affected areas. 

    In the days that followed, militias affiliated with the current government deliberately killed Alawite civilians in towns and cities along the coast, including the city of Banias, which was the site of a widely reported 2013 massacre by Bashar al-Assad’s government.  

    On 9 March, President Ahmed al-Sharaa pledged to hold perpetrators of crimes accountable, established a fact-finding committee to investigate the events on the coast, and formed a higher committee to maintain civil peace.  While the fact-finding committee appears to be a positive step towards establishing what happened and identifying suspected perpetrators, the authorities must ensure that the committee has the mandate, authority, expertise and resources to effectively investigate these killings. This should include access to and the ability to protect  witnesses and families of victims, as well as access tomass burial sites, and the required forensic expertise. They should also ensure that the committee has adequate time to complete its investigation.  

    Amnesty International conducted interviews with 16 people, including five living in Banias city and seven in other areas in the coast, two in other parts of Syria, and two outside Syria.  

    Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab verified nine videos and photos shared with researchers or posted on social media between 7 and 21 March 2025, conducted weapons analysis, and analyzed satellite imagery.   

    Amnesty International interviewed nine people, including five residents of Banias city who reported that 32 of their relatives and neighbours, including 24 men, six women and two children, had been deliberately killed by government-affiliated militias in Banias city between 8 and 9 March 2025. Of the 32 killed, 30 were killed in al-Qusour neighborhood in Banias city. Amnesty International also interviewed a medical worker in Banias city.  

    Interviewees identified their close relatives and neighbours and described to Amnesty International how they were killed. The organization also received the names of 16 civilians, whose relatives reported that they had been deliberately killed in Latakia and Tartous countryside.  

    In late January 2025, after Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied armed opposition groups captured Damascus, the interim government announced that all armed factions would be dissolved and integrated into government armed forces. That process is reportedly ongoing.  

    While the UN believes the number of people killed on the coast is much higher, they were able to document the killing of 111 civilians in Tartous, Latakia and Hama governorates. According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights many of the cases documented were of “summary executions carried out on a sectarian basis reportedly by unidentified armed individuals, members of armed groups allegedly supporting the caretaker authorities’ security forces, and by elements associated with the former government”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), documented the unlawful killings of 420 civilians and disarmed fighters (those hors de combat), including 39 children, mostly by militias affiliated with the authorities.  

    “In addition to ensuring independent, effective investigations and holding the perpetrators of these horrific killings to account,” Callamard said, “The government has obligations to carry out a human rights vetting process. Where there is admissible evidence that a person committed serious human rights violations, that person must not remain, or be placed, in a position where they could repeat such violations.” 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Syria: ‘Brutal mass killings’ of Alawite civilians must be investigated as war crimes – new evidence

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Government affiliated militias deliberately killed civilians from Alawite minority

    Amnesty’s Crisis Evidence Lab verified videos and photos, conducted weapons analysis, and analysed satellite imagery  

    Interviews with witnesses include people living in Banias city and other areas in the coast

    ‘I was alone burying my brothers. Corpses are next to each other and above each other and then the truck covered the grave with soil’ – Saed*

    ‘Without justice, Syria risks falling back into a cycle of further atrocities and bloodshed’ – Agnès Callamard

    The Syrian government must ensure that the perpetrators of a wave of mass killings targeting Alawite civilians in coastal areas are held accountable and take immediate steps to ensure that no person or group is targeted on the basis of their sect, Amnesty International said today.

    Militias affiliated with the government, killed more than 100 people in the coastal city of Banias on 8 and 9 March 2025, according to information received by Amnesty. The organisation has investigated 32 of the killings, and concluded that they were deliberate, targeted at the Alawite minority sect and unlawful.

    Witnesses told Amnesty that armed men asked people if they were Alawite before threatening or killing them and, in some cases, appeared to blame them for violations committed by the former government. Families of victims were forced by the authorities to bury their loved one in mass burial sites without religious rites or a public ceremony.

    Multiple coordinated attacks

    On 6 March, armed groups affiliated with the former government led by President Bashar al-Assad launched multiple coordinated attacks on security and military sites in the coastal governorates of Latakia and Tartous. In response, the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior, backed by supporting militias launched a counter offensive, leading to a significant escalation of violence. By 8 March, the authorities announced they had regained control of all affected areas.

    In the days that followed, militias affiliated with the current government deliberately killed Alawite civilians in towns and cities along the coast, including the city of Banias, which was the site of a widely reported 2013 massacre by Bashar al-Assad’s government.

    On 9 March, President Ahmed al-Sharaa pledged to hold perpetrators of crimes accountable, established a fact-finding committee to investigate the events on the coast, and formed a higher committee to maintain civil peace.  While the fact-finding committee appears to be a positive step towards establishing what happened and identifying suspected perpetrators, the authorities must ensure that the committee has the mandate, authority, expertise and resources to effectively investigate these killings. This should include access to and the ability to protect witnesses and families of victims, as well as access to mass burial sites, and the required forensic expertise. They should also ensure that the committee has adequate time to complete its investigation.

    Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said:

    “Deliberately killing civilians or deliberately killing injured, surrendered, or captured fighters is a war crime. The perpetrators of this horrifying wave of brutal mass killings must be held accountable.

    “Our evidence indicates that government affiliated militias deliberately targeted civilians from the Alawite minority in gruesome reprisal attacks – shooting individuals at close range in cold blood. For two days, authorities failed to intervene to stop the killings. Once again, Syrian civilians have found themselves bearing the heaviest cost as parties to the conflict seek to settle scores.

    “The latest massacres targeting the Alawite minority create new scars in a country already burdened by too many unhealed wounds. It is critical that the new authorities deliver truth and justice for the victims of these crimes, to signal a break with the past and zero tolerance for attacks on minorities. Without justice, Syria risks falling back into a cycle of further atrocities and bloodshed.

    “States have an obligation to ensure prompt, independent, effective and impartial investigations into allegations of unlawful killings and to hold perpetrators of international crimes to account. The government has obligations to carry out a human rights vetting process. Where there is admissible evidence that a person committed serious human rights violations, that person must not remain, or be placed, in a position where they could repeat such violations.”

    Amnesty’s investigation

    Amnesty conducted interviews with 16 people, including five living in Banias city and seven in other areas in the coast, two in other parts of Syria, and two outside Syria.

    Amnesty’s Crisis Evidence Lab verified nine videos and photos shared with researchers or posted on social media between 7 and 21 March, conducted weapons analysis, and analysed satellite imagery.  

    Amnesty interviewed nine people, including five residents of Banias city who reported that 32 of their relatives and neighbours, including 24 men, six women and two children, had been deliberately killed by government-affiliated militias in Banias city between 8 and 9 March 2025. Of the 32 killed, 30 were killed in al-Qusour neighborhood in Banias city. Amnesty also interviewed a medical worker in Banias city.

    Interviewees identified their close relatives and neighbours and described to Amnesty how they were killed. The organisation also received the names of 16 civilians, whose relatives reported that they had been deliberately killed in Latakia and Tartous countryside.

    In late January 2025, after Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and allied armed opposition groups captured Damascus, the interim government announced that all armed factions would be dissolved and integrated into government armed forces. That process is reportedly ongoing.

    While the UN believes the number of people killed on the coast is much higher, they were able to document the killing of 111 civilians in Tartous, Latakia and Hama governorates. According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights many of the cases documented were of “summary executions carried out on a sectarian basis reportedly by unidentified armed individuals, members of armed groups allegedly supporting the caretaker authorities’ security forces, and by elements associated with the former government”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, documented the unlawful killings of 420 civilians and disarmed fighters (those hors de combat), including 39 children, mostly by militias affiliated with the authorities.

    Witness testimonies

    Four residents of al-Qusour neighbourhood described how they heard heavy gunfire on 7 March. The next day scores of militia men affiliated with the current government entered the neighbourhood. Then, the killings began. They continued throughout 8 and 9 March.

    Samira* told Amnesty that a group of armed men raided her home at around 10am on 9 March and killed her husband, shooting him in the head. One of the men asked her and her husband whether they were Alawite and then blamed the death of his brother on the Alawite community.

    She said: “I begged them not to take [my husband]. I explained that we had nothing to do with killings that happened in the past or the death of his brother.” She said that the men took her husband to the roof, telling him they would show him how Alawites had killed Sunnis. “After they left, she said:

    “I went to the roof and saw his body. I had to flee for my life and begged my neighbour to protect the body.”

    Amnesty reviewed six images showing his body, which had an observable head wound, lying in a pool of blood.

    In addition to her husband, Samira said that her neighbour’s husband, who was in his late 70’s, and her brother-in-law were also killed.

    At around 11am on 8 March, Ahmad* received a phone call from his relative informing him that armed men raided his home and shot his father, who was in his late 60’s.

    He said: “My mother told me that four armed men entered our home early in the morning. Their first question was if [my family members] were Alawite.” The men began beating Ahmad’s brother, and his father tried to stop them. “[My father] was ordered to turn away… As he did, an armed man shot him in the back with the bullet exiting his chest… 20 minutes later, they came back and took the body.”

    Amnesty reviewed a video showing blood scattered on the floor, which belonged to his father, according to Ahmad.

    Ahmad said that another close relative had to search through bodies at a nearby hospital, in the presence of armed men, multiple times until they were able to find his father’s body. A medical worker confirmed to Amnesty that they received scores of bodies from militias, The Syrian Network for Human Rights and civil defense teams, which were kept in the hospital in Banias, most outside the mortuary refrigerator, in piles. Families had to search through bodies to find their loved ones.

    Saed* was visiting his parents in the neighbourhood for the weekend. On the morning of 8 March, the family heard gunshots and then silence. They thought their lives were spared, until the next day. At around 10am, a group of armed men entered the building. They heard gunshots.

    Saed said:

    “I called my family to follow me and ran outside the door towards the roof. They were behind me. I reached the roof, but I looked behind and [my family] wasn’t there… Then I heard the armed men ask my brother if you are Alawite or Sunni. My brother responded but his voice was trembling. My second brother intervened and told them: ‘Take anything you want but leave us’. Then I heard my father’s voice and then it sounded like they were taking them downstairs.” After that he heard gunshots.

    A few minutes later, Saed found the bodies of his father, 75 years old, and his brothers, 31 and 48, shot dead at the entrance of the building. Amnesty reviewed images which showed three bodies located outside of what appeared to be a residential building.

    Witnesses told Amnesty that many of the men involved in the killings were Syrian, but that there were also some foreigners amongst them.

    According to residents, the authorities did not intervene to end the killings, nor did they provide residents with safe routes to flee the armed men. Two residents told Amnesty they had to walk for at least 15km through the woods to seek safety. Three others said the only way for them to flee was when, eventually, they were able to secure car rides from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a former armed group integrated into the government armed forces.

    Burial of family members refused

    Seven interviewees told Amnesty that they or their relatives were not allowed by authorities to bury family members killed in al-Qusour neighbourhood according to religious rites, in a location of their choosing, or through a public ceremony. Instead, bodies were piled up in an empty lot next to Sheikh Hilal cemetery close to the neighbourhood.

    Saed* said security forces dug an empty lot next to the cemetery and lined the bodies up. He was not allowed to take photos or have other family members present during the burial.

    “I saw hundreds of corpses,” he said. “I was alone burying my brothers [on 10 March]. Corpses are next to each other and above each other and then the truck covered the grave with soil.”

    Amnesty’s Evidence Lab verified four pictures of the burial site in in al-Qusour neighbourhood, which showed graves marked in an informal manner. Satellite imagery confirms the ground in the area was scraped between 8 and 10 March.

    According to international humanitarian law, the dead should be buried, if possible, according to the rites of the religion to which they belonged and, in principle, in individual graves.

    *Real name withheld for security reasons.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI: Lane One Transport Automates Carrier Communication and Qualification with Integrated Parade and Descartes Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that Texas-based Lane One Transport, a leader in freight brokerage, is automating inbound carrier communication and qualification using Parade CoDriver, a recently enhanced artificial intelligence (AI)-powered carrier engagement solution, integrated with the Descartes Aljex™ transportation management system (TMS) and Descartes MyCarrierPortal™ carrier onboarding system. The combined solution helps Lane One accelerate load coverage, gain smarter pricing insights and mitigate the risk of carrier fraud.

    “With Parade’s new AI capabilities integrated into our Descartes Aljex TMS, we’ve increased our digital freight coverage to 30% while handling 1,200 loads monthly with just three reps,” said Chet Hebner, Director of Transportation & Logistics at Lane One. “The platform automatically processes carrier communications, captures pricing data, and ensures we only work with qualified carriers. This has dramatically improved our efficiency while giving us better insights into carrier capacity and pricing across our network.”

    Replacing traditionally manual communications, the combined solution allows freight brokers to process more carrier interactions with fewer resources while building a comprehensive digital view of their carrier network. With Parade CoDriver, brokerages automate carrier communication across both phone and email channels, capturing real-time carrier offers and pricing data directly within Descartes Aljex. With automated carrier qualification capabilities, Descartes MyCarrierPortal ensures brokers engage only pre-qualified carriers, which reduces inefficiencies and minimizes the risk of using non-compliant carriers.

    “By integrating our agentic Voice AI and Email AI technology with Descartes’ industry-leading brokerage solutions, we’re creating an intelligent automation layer where carrier interactions are efficiently processed within the transportation management workflows,” said Anthony Sutardja, CEO and Co-Founder of Parade. “Beyond simple automation, the combined solutions enable smarter, data-driven capacity decisions and create a new standard for carrier engagement and operational excellence in freight brokerage.”

    “We’re pleased Lane One is further automating carrier engagement and qualification workflows using the integrated solutions,” said Dan Cicerchi, General Manager, Transportation Management at Descartes. “With Parade’s innovative AI technology, we’re expanding the capabilities of our transportation management solutions and empowering brokerages of all sizes to book more loads, better secure their carrier networks and significantly reduce manual work.”

    About Parade

    Parade is the leader in capacity management solutions for freight brokerages. The company’s platform combines AI-powered carrier engagement capabilities with comprehensive capacity intelligence and an extensive partner integration network. Parade’s CoDriver AI technology automates carrier communications across email and phone channels, enabling brokerages to increase margins, improve carrier relationships, and scale operations efficiently. Trusted by leading 3PLs and digital freight brokers, Parade’s platform has processed over $40B in truckload transactions to date. Learn more at www.parade.ai.

    About Descartes

    Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, security and sustainability of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, track and help improve the safety, performance and compliance of delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world’s largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

    Global Media Contact

    Cara Strohack
    Tel: 226-750-8050
    cstrohack@descartes.com

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”) that relate to Descartes’ transportation management solution offerings and potential benefits derived therefrom; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, “Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results” in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada including Descartes’ most recently filed management’s discussion and analysis. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –