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Category: Vehicles

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operator of Fraudulent Investment Vehicle Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Prison for Securities Fraud, Tax Fraud and Other Charges

    Source: United States Attorneys General 8

    A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 15 and a half years in prison yesterday for defrauding investors, conspiring to defraud the IRS, filing false tax returns, employment tax fraud, wire fraud, obstruction, and other charges.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Joseph LaForte, of Philadelphia, engaged in a scheme to defraud investors using a fraudulent investment vehicle known as Par Funding. In total, LaForte and his co-conspirators caused an actual loss to investors exceeding $288 million.

    LaForte also engaged in a series of federal tax crimes. LaForte and co-conspirators diverted approximately $20 million in taxable income from Par Funding to another entity controlled by LaForte and nominally owned by another, then filed false tax returns that did not report this income. He also received more than $9 million in cash kickbacks from a customer of Par Funding and did not report this income to the IRS on his individual tax returns. As a result, LaForte’s individual tax returns for the years 2016 through 2018 were false. He also paid off-the-books, cash wages to some employees of Par Funding. He did not report these wages to the IRS and did not pay employment taxes on wages paid to employees in cash. The total federal tax loss stemming from LaForte’s crimes exceeds $8 million. He also caused $1.6 million in state tax loss to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue by falsely reporting that he and his wife were residents of Florida from 2013 through 2019, when in fact they resided in Pennsylvania.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.

    The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Newcomer, Sam Dalke, Eric Gill, and Patrick J. Murray for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Ezra Spiro of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Boscia for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania assisted with the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. Closes Merger with Carlyle Secured Lending III

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (“CGBD”) (NASDAQ: CGBD) announced today the closing of its previously announced merger with Carlyle Secured Lending III (“CSL III”) with CGBD as the surviving company. Based on March 25, 2025 financial data, the combined company has more than $2.8 billion of assets.

    In connection with the closing of the merger, CSL III shareholders received 18,935,108 shares of CGBD common stock for each common share of CSL III based on the final exchange ratio and payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares.

    Prior to the closing of the merger, Carlyle Investment Management L.L.C. (“CIM”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Carlyle, exchanged its shares of CGBD convertible preferred stock for CGBD common stock at current NAV, eliminating the risk of dilution from the potential conversion of the shares at the December 31, 2024 conversion price of $8.87. CIM exchanged all shares of CGBD preferred stock into 3,004,808 shares of common stock and entered into a tiered lock-up agreement, further demonstrating Carlyle’s commitment to supporting the vehicle. In addition, Carlyle incurred $5.0 million in transaction costs on behalf of CGBD to mitigate the expense impact of the merger.

    Justin Plouffe, Chief Executive Officer of CGBD, said, “We are pleased to announce the closing of the merger transaction and thank our shareholders for their support of this strategic initiative. Building on CGBD’s momentum in 2024, we look forward to continuing to execute CGBD’s strategy with greater scale and seamless integration to deliver consistent income and returns for shareholders of the combined company.”

    Sullivan & Cromwell LLP served as legal counsel to CGBD and CSL III. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. served as financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to the special committee of the independent directors of CGBD. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, served as financial advisor and Sullivan & Worcester LLP served as legal counsel to the special committee of the independent trustees of CSL III.

    About Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.    

    Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: CGBD) business development company (“BDC”) which began investing in 2013. The Company focuses on providing directly originated, financing solutions across the capital structure, with a focus on senior secured lending to middle-market companies primarily located in the United States. Carlyle Secured Lending is externally managed by Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C., an SEC-registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Carlyle. Further information is available at carlylesecuredlending.com.

    About Carlyle   

    Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Global Investment Solutions. With $441 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2024, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Some of the statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements because they are not historical facts, but instead relate to future events, future performance or financial condition or the merger of CSL III with and into CGBD. The forward-looking statements may include statements as to: future operating results of CGBD and distribution projections; business prospects of CGBD; and the impact of the investments that CGBD expects to make. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “plans,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “targets,” “projects,” “outlook,” “potential,” “predicts” and variations of these words and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected, including the uncertainties associated with (i) changes in the economy, financial markets and political environment; (ii) risks associated with possible disruption in the operations of CGBD or the economy generally due to terrorism, war or other geopolitical conflict; (iii) future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities); (iv) conditions in CGBD’s operating areas, particularly with respect to business development companies or regulated investment companies; and (v) other considerations that may be disclosed from time to time in CGBD’s publicly disseminated documents and filings. CGBD has based the forward-looking statements included in this press release on information available to it on the date hereof, and CGBD assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ, possibly materially from our expectations, include, but are not limited to, the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and it is not possible for us to predict or identify all of them. Although CGBD undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that CGBD may make directly to you or through reports that CGBD has filed or in the future may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

    Contacts:

    Investors: Media:
    Nishil Mehta Kristen Ashton
    +1-212-813-4900 +1-212-813-4763
    publicinvestor@carlylesecuredlending.com kristen.ashton@carlyle.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: US tariffs may harm global carmakers: EU auto group

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) on Thursday voiced deep concern over a new U.S. tariff measure targeting the auto sector, warning it could harm global carmakers and disrupt U.S. manufacturing.

    It came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to impose 25 percent tariffs on all vehicles and foreign-made auto parts imported into the United States.

    In a statement, ACEA Director General Sigrid de Vries urged the U.S. administration to reconsider the tariffs, warning that the measure would not only raise costs for American consumers but also hurt manufacturers that rely on imported automotive parts to produce vehicles in the United States.

    “European automakers have been investing in the U.S. for decades, creating jobs, fostering economic growth in local communities, and generating massive tax revenue for the U.S. government,” said de Vries.

    According to ACEA, the export value of EU-made cars to the United States fell 4.6 percent last year to over 38.46 billion euros (about 41.4 billion U.S. dollars). Despite the decline, the United States remained the largest market for EU car exports.

    The association called on both Washington and Brussels to engage in dialogue and work toward an “immediate resolution” to prevent tariffs and avoid the broader fallout of a trade war. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Professor Examines the Health Risks of Life on the Road

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    They’re on our highways and our state roads.

    We see them at rest stops and service plazas.

    They move our economy. Literally.

    They’re tractor-trailer trucks, and they’re a vital part of the U.S. economy, hauling 70% of consumer and industrial goods and logging about 200 billion miles annually in the United States.

    Trucks, and the men and women who drive them, play an indispensable role in U.S. society.

    But truck driving is a high-stress, high-risk profession.

    Long-haul truck drivers work irregular hours under protracted and repeated stretches of continuous effort that can be exacerbated by road construction, traffic conditions, and changes in weather. For most, finding safe and suitable parking while on the road is a constant challenge.

    Many drivers deal with elevated stress levels and fatigue, and they have limited opportunities for physical activity and limited access to fresh, healthy foods.

    And moreover, life on the road is extremely isolating and lonely, with drivers often spending days or weeks away from home at a time, while coping with the constant pressure to log as many miles as they can, in order to earn as much money as possible, in an industry that has experienced significant consolidation in recent years.

    The impact of those occupational conditions – especially the risks that long-haul truck drivers face of developing multiple adverse health conditions due to the conditions they face on-the-job – recently caught the attention of Merrill Singer, a professor emeritus in the Department of Anthropology at UConn.

    “I began to read the literature on long-haul truck drivers, and the multiplicity of diseases that their jobs put them at special risk for, and how the political economy of truck driving is organized and controlled has increased the pressure on truck drivers – over time, it’s made their life more stressful,” says Singer. “And I started to explore the concept of occupational syndemics and how it related to the kinds of jobs that put people at heightened vulnerability.”

    A medical anthropologist who researches and explores the relationships between culture, health, and disease, Singer developed the public health concept of syndemics, which refers to the clustering of diseases in certain populations and the biological interaction of multiple comorbid diseases in populations.

    “Syndemics involves two or more diseases interacting and some set of social conditions that interact with those diseases and make people vulnerable, which then makes these diseases more harmful,” Singer explains.

    In recent years, Singer has been examining how syndemics can be used to assess the ways that living and working conditions can promote disease clustering and further the adverse interactions of comorbid diseases and other health factors.

    He looked at other high-risk occupation populations – including gold and coal mineworkers in South Africa and commercial fishermen – before turning his syndemics lens to long-haul truck drivers. He published his syndemic analysis on the biosocial health of long-haul truck drivers in the February 2025 edition of the Journal of Transport & Health.

    In his analysis, Singer notes studies that found that long-haul truck drivers frequently experienced elevated cortisol levels and are often subject to problems with sleep, including inadequate sleep, insomnia, and disrupted sleep linked to obstructive sleep apnea. Reduced sleep duration has been linked to fatigue, drowsiness, job performance lapses, slowed reaction time, and impaired driving ability.

    Long-haul truck drivers are also more likely to be cigarette smokers, to engage in binge drinking, and to use other substances. They often struggle with mental health disorders or chronic stress.

    Because of their working conditions, they typically eat while driving or dine at truck stops and fast-food outlets, factors that limit their available food choices. The occupation is highly sedentary as well – few rest stops offer any sort of exercise equipment, and opportunities for physical activity while on the road are infrequent.

    More than half of long-haul truck drivers report living with one or more health problems, while 80% report at least one serious health condition, including obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and diabetes and metabolic disorders.

    Getting regular medical care to help treat these conditions is also a struggle, as there aren’t medical providers on the road and drivers always face pressure to cover more miles.

    “A grave consequence of syndemics of the road,” Singer writes in his paper, “is family disruption and divorce, high turnover rate (employer hopping), a national shortage of drivers, a high and untreated disease burden, shortened lifespan, heightened rates of suicide, increased medical costs, and injurious and deadly highway crashes.”

    The challenges faced by long-haul truck drivers only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Workers in the transportation/logistics sector have one of the highest per-capita excess mortality rates due to the COVID-19 virus, Singer notes. He recommends multipronged and multilayered syndemic interventions to help address the structural factors that place economically crucial long-haul truck drivers in the U.S. at risk.

    “In the case of [long-haul truck drivers],” he wrote, “this would involve advocacy for public policy changes, as part of state and federal infrastructure planning, that address an array of health, social, environmental, and economic challenges…[c]oupled with this kind of advocacy, there is a need for  funding to support direct structured health interventions for drivers that simultaneously address multiple health issues in this population.”

    In the current public health climate, where officials are closely monitoring the spread of bird flu into other mammals – including humans – policymakers and industry officials would be especially wise to consider the syndemics of the road, Singer says.

    “Once an infectious agent transitions from whatever its original host was to mammals, it makes it much easier to make the next transition into other mammals, which it’s already started to do,” Singer says.

    “If bird flu begins to spread directly human-to-human, it’s interaction with all of what else is going around, and in people with other preexisting conditions – diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, et cetera – has the potential for another massive pandemic.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Drone Manufacturers Racing to Introduce Latest Technology as Global Aerial Survey Services Market Projected to Reach $790 Billion By 2031

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Many investors have been watching the drone industry consistently growing over the past years and are expecting the same expansions to continue. The popularity of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for aerial imagery is quickly expanding this market. A report from Verified Market Research said that the Aerial Survey Services Market size, which was valued at USD 22.67 Billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 791.21 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 55.90% during the forecast period 2024-2031. The report added: “The rising use of drone services for industry-specific solutions, improved regulatory framework, and increased demand for qualitative data in various industries are projected to boost the expansion of the Drone Aerial Survey Services Market. Aerial imaging is being more widely used in defense applications. Natural calamities are becoming more common. Aerial camera systems have been improving steadily. Drone technology has attracted venture capital investment. During the forecast period, the enterprise segment of the Aerial Survey Services Market is expected to grow at the fastest rate. All industries benefit from enterprise solutions because they provide end-to-end services. The enterprise solution segment is being driven by the rising demand for analytical services and software solutions in the Aerial Survey Services Market.” Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE American: KULR).

    Verified Market Research continued: “A rise in demand from a variety of industries is fueling the growth of the Drone Aerial Survey Services Market. Aerial photography is used in agriculture to track effective changes in yield production, crop health management, and soil improvement. Aerial imaging services are needed by the defense sector to protect border areas and prepare map structures. Aerial imaging services are also being used more widely in research and exploration, archaeological surveys, mining, oil and gas, and resource management. The Drone Aerial Survey Services Market is still in its early stages of development, and the expansion of application areas is expected to accelerate market growth over the forecast period. During the coronavirus pandemic, aerial imaging helped the construction industry. The benefits of aerial imaging for contracted surveying, onsite inspections, and design planning applications have been augmented by the construction, roofing, and solar industries.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Signs LOI to Acquire Eighth Land Survey Company Advancing Drone as a Service in a $2.5 Billion US Drone Survey Market by 2033 – 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 signed an LOI (Letter of Intent) to acquire an eighth land survey engineering company which marks the second LOI located in Arizona. Upon completion, these locations will serve as a launchpad to further Southwest regional development and contribute to the Company’s national DaaS business model intended to bring the speed and precision of ZenaDrone’s AI drone solutions in a convenient subscription or pay-per-use model for businesses and government users.

    “Arizona is strategic to our US operations as the base of our subsidiary ZenaDrone where our second drone manufacturing facility will be. Our vision with Drone as a Service is to capture part of the drone survey market that is growing by double-digits and is expected to reach USD $2.5 billion by 2033. We plan to build our national presence offering ZenaDrone products and services for land surveys and many other applications,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    According to Fact.MR, the global drone surveying market is poised for substantial growth and is expected to be worth over USD $8 billion globally by 2033 of which North America is expected to represent 35%. This market is expanding at a CAGR of over 19%, driven by increasing demand from industries such as construction, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Within the drone surveying market, land surveys represent 53%, with significant adoption in real estate, urban planning, environmental applications and infrastructure projects.

    Drones as a Service or DaaS works similarly to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software over the internet, this business model offers drone technology solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. With DaaS, businesses and government customers can conveniently access drones for tasks such as surveying, inspections, security, law enforcement, or precision agriculture solutions without having to buy, operate or maintain the drones themselves.

    ZenaTech’s DaaS model offers customers including government agencies, builders and real estate developers, construction firms and farmers reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, and convenience as the company manages maintenance and operation. DaaS also offers scalability to companies to use more often or less often based on their needs and enables access to advanced drone technology and applications without the need for specialized training or equipment.

    Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, design, and execution 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) ZenaDrone Developing Indoor Drone Swarm Application for Inventory Management and Security with Auto Parts Manufacturer Customer – ZenaTech, Inc. this week also announced its subsidiary ZenaDrone is developing a drone swarm application using multiple indoor IQ Nano drones for inventory management and security applications. ZenaDrone is conducting this development with its auto parts manufacturer customer where it is currently engaged in a paid trial.

    A drone swarm is a coordinated group of autonomous drones that communicate and work together using AI and real-time data sharing, to perform tasks collaboratively without direct human control. Drone swarms can enhance efficiency, accuracy, automation and performance compared to a single drone.

    “We are pioneering the development of autonomous drone swarm technology, revolutionizing indoor inventory management and warehouse security by providing real-time, more accurate stock tracking and surveillance with reduced manual processes. We believe this technology will enable warehouses to operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and enhance safety and security while setting a new industry standard for AI drones,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently announced that financial results for the 2024 Stub Period (as of December 31, 2024 and the eight months then ended) will be reported on Monday, March 31, 2025 at the market close.

    Company management will host an earnings conference call at 4:30p.m. ET on Monday, March 31, 2025 to review financial results and provide an update on corporate developments. Following management’s formal remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session.

    Interested parties can listen to the conference call by dialing 1-844-413-3977 (within the U.S.) or 1-412-317-1803 (international). Callers should dial in approximately ten minutes prior to the start time and ask to be connected to the Red Cat conference call. Participants can also pre-register for the call using the following link: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10198203/fecb0dc7ae

    AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently reported financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended January 25, 2025. “We faced a number of short-term challenges in the third quarter, including the unprecedented high winds and fires in Southern California, which impacted our ability to meet our goals,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Nevertheless, we made significant progress towards executing our long-term growth strategy and building resiliency for the future.

    “This quarter, we booked record Switchblade and Jump-20 orders, which helped expand our backlog to a record $764 million. We also announced our new Utah manufacturing facility, which will more than double our Switchblade capacity and provide resiliency against regional weather events. Finally, we made significant progress towards completing our BlueHalo acquisition, which we now expect to close in the second quarter of calendar year 2025. While this has been a transition year pivoting away from Ukraine demand, we still expect a strong fiscal year 2025 including record fourth quarter revenue.”

    KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) recently announced will hold a conference call on Thursday, March 27th at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time) to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. The financial results will be issued in a press release prior to the call.

    KULR management will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period. Interested parties can submit relevant questions prior to the call to Stuart Smith at SmallCapVoice.Com, Inc. via email: ssmith@smallcapvoice.com by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 21st, 2025. Mr. Smith will compile a list of questions and submit them to the Company prior to the conference call. The questions that will get addressed will be based on the relevance to the shareholder base, and the appropriateness of the questions in light of public disclosure rules.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS) recently announced the appointment of Steve Mathias as Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development and Erik de Badts as Global Head of MicaSense Sales. AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “As we execute a multi-faceted strategic growth plan focused on expanding our global footprint, the addition of both Steve and Erik’s impressive pedigrees will drive innovation, foster collaboration, and ensure that we remain agile in an evolving UAS marketplace. Steve brings multi-decade expertise in military and commercial aviation, both crewed and uncrewed, while Erik is a true subject matter expert in multi-spectral sensing. We are confident their leadership will help strengthen key partner relationships, unlock new opportunities, and accelerate revenue growth.”

    Steve Mathias is an aerospace business executive with over 30 years of senior leadership experience in both the military and aerospace industry. Prior to joining AgEagle, he served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Growth at GKN Aerospace Defense, a leading global technology company specializing in advanced aerostructures and engine systems. Before his role at GKN Aerospace, Mr. Mathias was Vice President of Global Sales and Strategy at Bell Helicopter, where he led all domestic and international vertical lift defense sales, including both crewed and uncrewed systems. His background as a U.S. Army Officer includes significant special operations and conventional aviation experience with both manned and unmanned systems. In his final Army assignment, Steve served as the Deputy Chief of Staff G-8 for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, overseeing the requirements and Program Objective Memorandum (POM) processes for over 200 Army and Special Operations air and land programs.

    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.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Block Advisors by H&R Block to Provide Timely Support for The Home Depot’s Pro Xtra Loyalty Members

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Block Advisors by H&R Block and The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, have collaborated for the 2025 tax season to help hardworking Pro customers offload stressful administrative business tasks. This robust collaboration offers significant benefits to Pro Xtra members, such as discounted services, including tax preparation, empowering them to focus on growing their business.

    “Our initiative with The Home Depot helps Pro Xtra members navigate the complexities of running a business, such as taxes and bookkeeping,” says Jamil Khan, Chief Small Business Officer at H&R Block. “Having experts that understand the tax codes relevant to the industry helps Pro Xtra members keep more of their hard-earned money.”

    The service launched earlier this month ahead of the fast-approaching April 15 tax filing deadline. Block Advisors is backed by 70 years of H&R Block expertise and has category-specific knowledge to help Pro Xtra members lower their tax liability. A Block Advisors tax pro can help business owners understand and leverage such deductions and credits as:

    • 45L Tax Credit: This tax credit is available to eligible businesses who build or substantially renovate energy-efficient homes and offers significant tax-time upside.
    • Deductions for equipment and property: With a Section 179 deduction, companies can capture tax savings on some big-ticket expenses like property purchases, office renovations, and necessary equipment.
    • Professional materials deduction: The cost of materials and supplies can be deducted, depending on the timing of the usage. This often applies to things like cleaning supplies, production expenses, and shipping costs.
    • Vehicle and mileage deductions: The costs of driving and maintaining a vehicle for business use can add up fast. Owners can write off many expenses related to the business use of a vehicle.

    As part of the collaboration, Pro Xtra members benefit from a special offer* on Block Advisors tax preparation and year-round services, including:

    • $50 off tax preparation with a Small Business Certified Tax Pro
    • $25 off DIY online tax preparation
    • $25 off business formation services 
    • First month free, plus 10% off bookkeeping and payroll services 

    The Home Depot Pro Xtra members can learn about Block Advisors’ offer at The Home Depot Pro Desks and can also visit www.blockadvisors.com for more information on Block Advisors’ tax preparation and year-round business services.

    *Discounts valid online or at participating Block Advisors or H&R Block U.S. offices. Additional restrictions apply. See The Home Depot Pro Desks for details. Void if transferred and where prohibited. No cash value. OBTP#B13696-BR ©2024 HRB Tax Group, Inc.

    About H&R Block
    H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation services, financial products, and small-business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and also be better with money using its mobile banking app, Spruce. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with year-round bookkeeping, payroll, advisory, and payment processing solutions. For more information, visit H&R Block News.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Celebrate VE Day 80 in Plymouth

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Whether you host your own street party, or join us for the festivities on The Hoe, get ready for an unforgettable celebration, as Plymouth marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.  

    Join us on Thursday 8 May, on Plymouth Hoe for a day packed with excitement, entertainment, and heartfelt remembrance. Funded by Plymouth City Council, with support from defence company Babcock International Group (Babcock), which owns and operates Devonport Royal Dockyard, VE Day 80 will start at 10.30am with a flag-raising ceremony and a full parade of Standards at the Belvedere, featuring the Royal Navy Guard and ships in the Sound.  

    The festivities will then continue throughout the day with live music on The Hoe, an evening concert, vibrant street party, stalls, and vintage vehicles. With the evening concluding with a Sunset Guard lighting the Plymouth beacon at 8.40pm.  

    Across the country, millions will be dancing, singing, and partying in the streets on Monday 5 May, to celebrate the end of the war. Plymouth City Council is making it easier for local people to join in by suspending road closure fees for street parties. This will hopefully encourage local people to come together with their neighbours to have their own community celebrations. The deadline to apply for a road closure is 11 April.  

    Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Events, says: “This will be a fantastic community event to celebrate VE Day 80. It’s a chance for us all to give thanks and remember those who lost their lives during the war, and to reflect on the past.  

    “Plymouth City Council is proud to be organising a day of celebration on The Hoe. And, whilst residents and communities will need to buy their own Victoria sponges, we are happy to wave the cost of road closures, to enable communities to come together to organise their own celebrations.” 

    John Gane, Managing Director of Babcock’s Devonport facility said: “As part of Plymouth’s proud history and an important part of the fabric of the city today, we are pleased to be supporting such a significant event, which provides an excellent opportunity for the local community to come together and mark 80 years since Victory in Europe Day.  Our Armed Forces play an essential role in the defence of our nation and we are proud to continue supporting them as we aim to create a safe and secure world, together. 

    At the event on The Hoe, The Box will also be bringing history to life with amazing archive film clips showing Plymouth during the war years. Watch these fascinating glimpses into the city’s past on the Big Screen, including the King’s secret visit in 1941 and the bomb damage from the Blitz. 

    Brigadier Mike Tanner OBE ADC – Devonport Naval Base Commander, says:  “From a military perspective, I am always in awe of the enormous courage and sacrifice required to achieve that outcome of “Victory in Europe”.  Both those fighting directly and those back here in Plymouth – who kept the Naval Base running, whilst their houses and city were bombed.   

    “Like every service person, I am always proud of my connection to Plymouth.  But as I think of this 80th anniversary I am massively reminded that today we stand on the shoulders of the giants who led before us.” 

    And let’s not forget, the war in the Far East didn’t end until 15 August 1945, when Japan surrendered. On Friday 15 August, the Royal British Legion will lead the nation in honouring and remembering those who fought and died during the War in the Far East with a service marking 80 years since VJ Day (Victory over Japan) at the National Memorial Arboretum. Plymouth will also commemorate this anniversary with a special church service. 

    Dates for the diary  

    Thursday 5 May: Hold your own street party – with the cost of road closures suspended.  Apply here.

    Thursday 8 May: Celebration on Plymouth Hoe  

    • 10.30am: flag raising, standards and ships in the Sound  
    • 11am: live music on The Hoe, street party, stalls, and vintage vehicles  
    • 5.30pm: evening concert  
    • 8.40pm: Sunset Guard lighting the Plymouth beacon  

    Friday 15 August: Special church service to commemorate VJ Day at St Andrews Church. Further details will follow nearer the time.  

    For more information about VE Day 80 in Plymouth, go to: VE Day 80 – Visit Plymouth 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sentence increase for violent robber caught wearing victim’s jacket

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Sentence increase for violent robber caught wearing victim’s jacket

    A violent robber who was caught wearing a jacket he had stolen has had his suspended sentence quashed and been sent to jail after the Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP intervened.

    The Court of Appeal increased the sentence of 27-year-old Zakaria Mohamed from 21 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months to four years and nine months’ imprisonment.

    This was the result of an intervention by the Solicitor General who referred the case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

    The court heard that the victim was on his way home after a night out in Leicester and was grabbed and dragged into a car in the early hours of 24 May last year. The victim was threatened with a kitchen knife and slapped as the group demanded his possessions.

    The victim was forced to hand over his belongings which included a smartphone, ear pods, a tablet, trainers, tracksuit and designer bag, and his jacket worth around £1,300.

    He was then told to get out of the vehicle before it sped off.

    Following the robbery, police caught Mohamed outside a nightclub handling and inspecting the stolen items. He was also wearing the victim’s jacket.

    In a victim impact statement after the incident, the victim said the robbery had led to him moving to another city and he continues to feel vulnerable every time he goes out.

    The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

    This violent robbery was horrific and the substantial sentence increase following my intervention should serve as a stark warning that crime and lawlessness will not be tolerated.

    Mohamed pleaded guilty to robbery, driving without a licence and driving without insurance on 3 October 2024 at Leicester Crown Court. He was sentenced at the same court to 21 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months on 19 December 2024.

    The sentence was increased to a total of four years and nine months’ imprisonment at the Court of Appeal on 25 February 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Element and Arval Celebrate 30 Year Alliance with Release of New Insights Focused on the Future of Fleet and Mobility 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Fleet and mobility stakeholders continue their fleet electrification strategies, with 85 per cent of them now shifting their focus to charging solutions and strategies.
    • 91 per cent of companies anticipate their fleet will either remain stable or grow in the next three years. 
    • Nearly half of the companies recognize that mobility policies and solutions are important levers for talent acquisition and employee retention.

    TORONTO, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Element Fleet Management Corp. (TSX:EFN) (“Element” or the “Company”), the largest publicly traded, pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world, together with global alliance partner, Arval, a major player in vehicle leasing and specialist in mobility solutions, are marking the 30th anniversary of the Element-Arval Global Alliance (“EAGA” or the “Alliance”) with new insights published in the 2025 Fleet and Mobility Barometer.

    “Our global alliance uniquely offers our fleet and mobility customers the expertise and relationship management needed to deploy strategies across 55 different countries, ensuring solutions meet local needs and maintain very high quality standards,” says Bart Beckers, Chief Commercial Officer of Arval. “The Element-Arval Global Alliance purpose is to support and assist our international clients to successfully build and run their global fleet strategy.“

    For 30 years the EAGA has been a global leader within fleet and mobility management. To expand its presence in additional geographies, notably in Asia, the Alliance welcomed Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service (SMAS) in 2023 and now counts eight members. With presence in 55 countries and the Alliance Members managing 4.5 million vehicles, the Alliance delivers comprehensive expertise and resources to empower their international clients across the globe, helping them to manage their fleets at a strategic, tactical, and operational level.

    “We greatly value the extensive relationship we’ve built with Arval and are proud that our global Alliance remains the longest standing across fleet and mobility,” says David Madrigal, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “The insights captured within the annual Fleet and Mobility Barometer we’ve produced together represent one of the many ways we leverage our partnership, shared expertise, and extensive global presence to deliver comprehensive, scalable, and tailored solutions to meet our clients’ needs across the globe.”

    The Fleet and Mobility Barometer (the “Barometer”) is an industry-leading annual publication of the Arval Mobility Observatory and Element-Arval Global Alliance, offering a robust and detailed look into evolving industry trends, and providing country-specific insights, deep-dive policy considerations, as well as industry-leading benchmarking. This year’s report addresses three main areas of fleet and mobility transformation: environmental sustainability, cost efficiency, and employee satisfaction.

    Key insights from the Barometer include:

    1. Companies are overwhelmingly prioritizing environmental sustainability through fleet electrification, with 85 per cent of the companies interviewed having a charging policy or planning to have one in the future. The report also highlights the varying rates of electrification between passenger cars and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), with Europe leading the trend.
    2. Cost efficiency is being observed through innovative methods such as full-service leasing. Despite persistent economic and geopolitical challenges, 91 per cent of companies anticipate their fleet will either remain stable or grow in the next three years.
    3. Employee satisfaction is now at the centre of mobility and fleet transformation, with 45 per cent of companies mentioning human resource needs as the main reason for developing employee mobility policies and solutions. The report emphasizes the key role of telematics and connected vehicle technologies for promoting responsible driving, improving driver behavior, and reducing accidents.

    Initiated by the Arval Mobility Observatory nearly 20 years ago, Element joined the global Barometer in 2023 to expand benchmarking capabilities to include trends across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. This year’s benchmarking survey involves more than 8,000 interviews with corporate fleet decision-makers across 28 countries and provides a forward-looking perspective on the next three years. 

    To read more about the Element-Arval Global Alliance and the 2025 Fleet and Mobility Barometer, visit Global Fleet Management Solutions | Element-Arval Global Alliance – Element Arval.

    About Element Fleet Management
    Element Fleet Management (TSX: EFN) is the largest publicly traded pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world. As a Purpose-driven company, we provide a full range of sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions to optimize and enhance fleet performance for our clients across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Our services address every aspect of our clients’ fleet requirements, from vehicle acquisition, maintenance, route optimization, risk management, and remarketing, to advising on decarbonization efforts, integration of electric vehicles and managing the complexity of gradual fleet electrification. Clients benefit from Element’s expertise as one of the largest fleet solutions providers in its markets, offering economies of scale and insight used to reduce operating costs and enhance efficiency and performance. At Element, we maximize our clients’ fleet so they can focus on growing their business. For more information, please visit: www.elementfleet.com

    About Arval:
    Arval is a major actor in full-service vehicle leasing and a specialist in mobility solutions founded in 1989. Arval is fully owned by BNP Paribas and positioned within the Group’s Commercial, Personal Banking & Services division. Arval was leasing nearly 1.8 million vehicles as of the end of 2024. Every day, nearly 8,600 Arval employees in 29 countries offer flexible solutions to make journeys seamless and sustainable for its customers, ranging from large international corporate groups to smaller companies and private customers.

    Arval is a founding member of the Element-Arval Global Alliance. The fleets of all the Alliance members represent more than 4.5 million vehicles in 55 countries.

    Arval has been rewarded with the highest level of the EcoVadis medal, the platinum level, placing its CSR strategy in the Top 1% of the companies assessed.
    www.arval.com

    About BNP Paribas:
    Leader in banking and financial services in Europe, BNP Paribas operates in 64 countries and has nearly 178,000 employees, including more than 144,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Türkiye, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.
    https://group.bnpparibas/en/

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information regarding Element, its business and the fleet industry, which are based upon Element’s current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. In some cases, words such as “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “could”, “predict”, “project”, “model”, “forecast”, “will”, “potential”, “target, “by”, “proposed” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information in this news release may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to, among other things, the Company’s expectations regarding new product offerings, including the benefits of the products, client demand and profitability, the Company’s ability to execute on its product plans, and the Company’s expectations regarding the risk and insurance industries. By their nature, these statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific, which give rise to the possibility that our predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct. External factors outside of Element’s reasonable control may impact our ability to achieve our goals and expectations, including industry dynamics, legislation and regulatory actions, the failure of third parties to comply with their obligations to us and our affiliates or associates, client decisions and preferences. These and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements and may require Element to adjust its initiatives and activities. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date hereof and are presented for the purpose of assisting our stakeholders and others in understanding our objectives and strategic priorities and may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law. In addition, a discussion of some of the material risks affecting Element and its business appears under the heading “Risk Management & Risk Factors” in Element’s Management Discussion and Analysis for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2023 and the three and nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, and under the heading “Risk Factors” in Element’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as Element’s other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which have been filed on SEDAR+ and can be accessed on Element’s profile on www.sedarplus.com.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa484c54-9cb4-4c81-835c-d59ab8841d95

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gross Domestic Product, 4th Quarter and Year 2024 (Third Estimate), GDP by Industry, and Corporate Profits

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 (October, November, and December), according to the third estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the third quarter, real GDP increased 3.1 percent.

    The increase in real GDP in the fourth quarter primarily reflected increases in consumer spending and government spending that were partly offset by a decrease in investment. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, decreased.

    Real GDP was revised up 0.1 percentage point from the second estimate, primarily reflecting a downward revision to imports. For more information, refer to the “Technical Notes” below.

    Compared to the third quarter, the deceleration in real GDP in the fourth quarter primarily reflected downturns in investment and exports that were partly offset by an acceleration in consumer spending. Imports turned down.

    From an industry perspective, the increase in real GDP reflected an increase of 2.3 percent in real value added for private goods-producing industries, an increase of 2.4 percent for private services-producing industries, and an increase of 2.7 percent for government.

    Real gross output increased 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter, reflecting an increase of 0.3 percent for private goods-producing industries, an increase of 2.0 percent for private services-producing industries, and an increase of 3.1 percent for government.

    The price index for gross domestic purchases increased 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter, revised down 0.1 percentage point from the previous estimate. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index increased 2.4 percent, the same as previously estimated. Excluding food and energy prices, the PCE price index increased 2.6 percent, revised down 0.1 percentage point from the previous estimate.

    Real gross domestic income (GDI) increased 4.5 percent in the fourth quarter compared with an increase of 1.4 percent in the third quarter.

    Profits from current production (corporate profits with inventory valuation and capital consumption adjustments) increased $204.7 billion in the fourth quarter, in contrast to a decrease of $15.0 billion in the third quarter.

    Real GDP and Related Measures
    (Percent change from Q3 to Q4)
      Advance Estimate Second Estimate Third Estimate
    Real GDP 2.3 2.3 2.4
    Current-dollar GDP 4.5 4.8 4.8
    Real GDI … … 4.5
    Average of Real GDP and Real GDI … … 3.5
    Gross domestic purchases price index 2.2 2.3 2.2
    PCE price index 2.3 2.4 2.4
    PCE price index excluding food and energy 2.5 2.7 2.6

    GDP and Related Measures for 2024

    Real GDP increased 2.8 percent in 2024 (from the 2023 annual level to the 2024 annual level), the same as previously estimated. The increase in real GDP in 2024 reflected increases in consumer spending, investment, government spending, and exports. Imports increased.

    From an industry perspective in 2024, private goods-producing industries increased 3.4 percent, private services-producing industries increased 2.8 percent, and government increased 1.9 percent.

    The price index for gross domestic purchases increased 2.4 percent in 2024, the same as previously estimated. The PCE price index increased 2.5 percent and the PCE price index excluding food and energy prices increased 2.8 percent, both the same as previously estimated.

    Real gross domestic income (GDI) increased 3.0 percent in 2024, compared with an increase of 1.7 percent in 2023.

    Profits from current production (corporate profits with inventory valuation and capital consumption adjustments) increased $281.3 billion in 2024, compared with an increase of $229.8 billion in 2023.

    For definitions, statistical conventions, updates to GDP, and more, visit “Additional Information.”

    Next release: April 30, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EDT
    Gross Domestic Product (Advance Estimate)
    1st Quarter 2025

    Technical Notes

    Sources of revisions to real GDP in the third estimate

    Real GDP increased at an annual rate of 2.4 percent (0.6 percent at a quarterly rate1), an upward revision of 0.1 percentage point from the previous estimate, primarily reflecting a downward revision to imports that was partly offset by a downward revision to consumer spending.

    • For imports, the revision was led by services (notably, charges for the use of intellectual property as well as financial services), primarily reflecting updated data from BEA’s International Transactions Accounts.
    • The downward revision to consumer spending reflected a downward revision to services that was partly offset by an upward revision to goods.
      • Within services, the downward revision was led by final consumption expenditures of nonprofit institutions (led by nonprofit hospitals), based primarily on new and revised data from the Census Bureau Quarterly Services Survey.
      • Within goods, the upward revision was led by other nondurable goods and motor vehicles and parts, based on revised Census Bureau Monthly Retail Trade Survey data.

    More information on the source data and BEA assumptions that underlie the fourth-quarter estimate is shown in the key source data and assumptions table.

    1Percent changes in quarterly seasonally adjusted series are displayed at annual rates, unless otherwise specified. For more information, refer to the FAQ Why does BEA publish percent changes in quarterly series at annual rates?.  .

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Pursuit – Northern Suburbs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 25-year-old male in relation to domestic violence offences in Darwin.

    This morning, police received intelligence that a male with an arrest warrant was within Bagot Community. It is alleged the male had been actively evading police.

    Around 7:30am, Strike Force Trident and Dog Operations Unit (DOU) established a cordon around the community and commenced a search for the alleged offender.

    A short time later, the offender and another male passenger were sighted in a vehicle driving erratically through the community and at some points on the footpath.

    A tyre deflation device was deployed, which the offending vehicle attempted to avoid by swerving at officers and colliding with the rear of a Trident vehicle.

    Multiple pursuits were commenced; however, they were terminated shortly after for safety reasons.

    At around 08:30am, DOU members sighted the vehicle stopped on Buchanan Terrace in Nakara before the offender and the passenger fled the scene on foot.

    Police deployed a taser which was ineffective, and the offender fled through a school oval on Nakara Terrace.

    Patrol Dog Boss was deployed, but the 25-year-old male scaled a 12-foot fence and fled. A second dog handler followed over the fence, caught up to the man, and he surrendered without further incident.

    The 30-year-old male passenger was also arrested and is assisting police with enquiries.

    The 25-year-old offender remains in police custody with additional charges expected to follow.

    Senior Sergeant Meacham King said, “I want to commend the work of all members involved in this arrest.

    “It’s fortunate our officers weren’t seriously injured when the Trident vehicle was struck.

    “The arrest is a testament to the strong collaboration between Strike Force Trident and Dog Operations Unit.

    “We remain committed to holding offenders to account and bringing them before the courts.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Investing in California’s creative economy: Governor Newsom welcomes Vogue World event to Hollywood

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 26, 2025

    Highlights California’s economic investments in creative economy, LA’s recovery

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom today joined Anna Wintour to welcome the Vogue World event to Hollywood, promoting the state’s proposal to more than double California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program. 

    HOLLYWOOD – Governor Newsom today joined Vogue for the announcement of this year’s Vogue World event, which will be hosted in Hollywood this October. At Vogue’s press event, Governor Newsom joined Anna Wintour, Vogue Editor-in-Chief and Global Chief Content Editor of Conde Nast, to promote the upcoming event, highlighting the state’s world-leading creative economy – which creates 220,000 jobs – and the Governor’s proposal to more than double the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program.

    “California is the entertainment capital of the world – and we’re committed to ensuring we stay that way. Fashion and film go hand in hand, helping to express characters, capture eras in time, and reflect cultural movements. We’re honored to welcome Vogue World Hollywood to the Golden State to help us spotlight California’s creative economy and the thousands of talented workers and businesses who support it.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “Vogue World: Hollywood will be a one-night-only show with a huge cast of models and actors, dancers, musicians and surprises, and it will set great film costumes next to brilliant fashion collections… By mixing fashion with the arts and culture in the center of a city, and by raising funds for a cause, Vogue World has become a runway show-as-rallying cry, a way to fix the attention of a huge global audience, to bring awareness, and sound an unmistakable note of positivity, creativity, and hope.”

    Anna Wintour

    Lights, cameras, jobs! 

    Since its inception in 2009, California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program has generated over $26 billion in economic activity and supported more than 197,000 cast and crew jobs across the state, strengthening the vital link between California’s communities and the iconic film and TV industry. A study of the program found that, for every tax credit dollar approved, it generated at least $24.40 in output, $16.14 in GDP, $8.60 in wages, and $1.07 in initial state and local tax revenue from production in the state. 

    However, the program has been oversubscribed year after year, with more productions applying than can be accommodated under the current cap. Between 2020 and 2024, data shows California lost production spending due to limited tax credit funding and increased competition in other states and countries, directly impacting state jobs and local economies​​.

    In recent years, projects that were unable to secure California’s tax credits and moved to other locations as a result contributed to significant economic losses, with California losing 71% of production spending by these rejected projects subsequently filming out-of-state.

    The Governor’s proposal to expand California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program to $750 million annually, a massive increase from the current $330 million annual allocation, would position California as one of the top states for capped film incentive programs.

    California is a creative economy powerhouse

    As one of the strategic sectors outlined in the recently launched California Jobs First Economic Blueprint, the creative economy has deep roots in California’s history and continues to be an engine for innovation, cultural expression, and economic growth.

    • In 2023, California was home to 220,000 creative economy jobs, one in every four creative economy jobs in the U.S.
    • The average salary paid to creative workers in 2023 was $160,000, more than 50% higher than the California average.

    And while the Los Angeles region leads the way in jobs generated by the creative economy, three other regions – Redwood, the Bay Area, and the Southern Border – also identified film, TV, and the arts as a regional strategic sector.

    Recent news

    Mar 26, 2025

    News What you need to know: Financial assistance for Los Angeles fire recovery has now surpassed $2 billion, survivors may apply until March 31st, 2025. LOS ANGELES – Building upon California’s ongoing support for disaster survivors and small businesses, Governor…

    Mar 25, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement regarding the death of King City Police Department Sergeant Ryan Kenedy: “Jennifer and I mourn alongside the King City community over the sudden passing of Sergeant Kenedy. Our hearts are with his…

    Mar 25, 2025

    News What you need to know: Since Governor Newsom launched the joint San Bernardino operation in October 2024, the efforts have led to 858 arrests and 66 recovered stolen vehicles. Los Angeles, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the ongoing joint law…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Assistance continues to flow to families and businesses as federal aid for LA fires tops $2 billion

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 26, 2025

    What you need to know: Financial assistance for Los Angeles fire recovery has now surpassed $2 billion, survivors may apply until March 31st, 2025.

    LOS ANGELES – Building upon California’s ongoing support for disaster survivors and small businesses, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that aid from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now exceeded $2 billion.

    “This federal disaster aid brings much-needed relief for impacted homeowners, renters, businesses grappling with loss and damage. California is grateful to President Trump and our federal partners for making this recovery a priority.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    This financial assistance serves as a vital lifeline for impacted communities and has been rapidly distributed in just over two months since the Los Angeles County wildfires were declared a major disaster by then President Joseph R. Biden.

    Through that disaster declaration, SBA makes low-interest federal disaster loans available to impacted residents and businesses in the impacted regions. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent, or minimize future disaster damage. 

    Disaster assistance by the numbers:

    Federal assistance to eligible homeowners, renters, and businesses, in the form of FEMA grants and low-interest SBA Disaster Loans, has topped $2 billion. That includes: 

    • $200 million in FEMA assistance.

    • $2 billion in home and business loan offers from the SBA, the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for homeowners, renters, businesses, and certain nonprofits. 

    To date more than 31,636 households have been approved for FEMA funds, including:

    • $24,631,795 in housing assistance for short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.

    • $76,690,832 in other essential disaster-related needs, such as expenses related to medical, dental, and lost personal possessions.

    • $101,322,628 in individual housing program support.

    • 30,563 visits at the two Disaster Recovery Centers that remain open at UCLA Research Park and Altadena Recovery Center.

    The deadline to apply for both FEMA and SBA disaster assistance is March 31, 2025.

    How to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance

    • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

    • On the FEMA App.

    • By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, give FEMA your number for that service. Assistance is available in multiple languages. Lines are open Sunday–Saturday, from 4 a.m.- 10 p.m. Pacific Time.

    • At a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To locate a DRC near you, visit the DRC Locator.

    For an American Sign Language video on how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

    Apply for SBA Low-Interest Disaster Loans

    • Online at sba.gov/disaster.

    • By calling SBA’s Customer Service Center hotline at 800-659-2955. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability may dial 711 to access relay services.

    • By emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

    • At a Disaster Recovery Center or Business Recovery Center, where you can submit a completed application or SBA representatives can help you apply. To find a BRC near you, go to Appointment.sba.gov.

    • Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov or other locally announced locations.

    The application period for both Small Business Administration aid and individual assistance remains open until March 31 and impacted residents are encouraged to apply today. 

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Mar 25, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement regarding the death of King City Police Department Sergeant Ryan Kenedy: “Jennifer and I mourn alongside the King City community over the sudden passing of Sergeant Kenedy. Our hearts are with his…

    Mar 25, 2025

    News What you need to know: Since Governor Newsom launched the joint San Bernardino operation in October 2024, the efforts have led to 858 arrests and 66 recovered stolen vehicles. Los Angeles, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the ongoing joint law…

    Mar 24, 2025

    News What you need to know: The Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force released a list of 25 key deliverables to build on the state’s ongoing efforts to protect Californians from increasing threats posed by catastrophic wildfire and a changing climate….

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: KH Group’s Annual Report 2024 published

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KH Group Plc
    Stock exchange release 27 March 2025 at 11:40 am EET
                                                    

    KH Group’s Annual Report 2024 published

     KH Group has published its Annual Report for 2024 today. The Annual Report includes the Board of Directors’ Report, Financial Statements, Auditor’s Report as well as the Corporate Governance Statement and the Governing Bodies’ Remuneration Report. 

    The Financial Statements are also published as an xHTML file in Finnish language in accordance with European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) reporting requirements. In line with the ESEF requirements, the Group’s primary statements and notes have been labelled with XBRL tags. The audit firm Ernst & Young Oy has provided an independent auditor’s reasonable assurance report on the ESEF Financial Statements in accordance with ISAE 3000 (Revised).

    The Annual Report, Corporate Governance Statement and the Governing Bodies’ Remuneration Report as well as the xHTML file are available on the Company’s website at www.khgroup.com and attached to this release.

    KH GROUP PLC

    FURTHER INFORMATION:
    CEO Ville Nikulainen, tel. +358 400 459 343

    DISTRIBUTION:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Main media
    www.khgroup.com

    KH Group Plc is a Nordic conglomerate operating in the business areas of KH-Koneet, Indoor Group and Nordic Rescue Group. We are a leading supplier of construction and earth-moving equipment, furniture and interior decoration retailer as well as rescue vehicle manufacturer. The objective of our strategy is to create an industrial group around the business of KH-Koneet. KH Group’s share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Newly arrived communities hit harder by cost of living pressure – study – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Emerging refugee and migrant communities in Australia appear to be suffering greater cost of living stress than the broader community, a survey of community leaders has found.

    A focus group of 34 community leaders in 21 key cohort migrant and refugee groups report high levels of cost of living stress in their communities.

    In more than half of the communities, 15, the stress members face is higher than in the general community.

    The worst hit communities are members of the African, Afghan and Myanmar communities.

    Refugee communities generally are being impacted more negatively than migrant communities.

    But a counter narrative also emerged from the survey of community members using their resilience and entrepreneurialism to augment their incomes and support their communities.

    The survey also suggests cost of living pressure is having a negative impact of family violence.

    Migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia has recruited a group of community embedded leaders from key newly arrived migrant and/or refugee communities to provide key insights into how issues and policy developments affect their lives.

    Eighteen of twenty-one communities surveyed in the study reported that the impact of cost of living rises was worse in their communities than in the broader community.

    Migrant communities were less like to be impacted than refugee communities and the worst affected were African, Afghan and Myanmar communities. Largely skilled migrant communities from China, India, Vietnam, Korea and Malaysia reported the level of stress was no worse than across the broader community.

    Rents, mortgages, food and utilities were cited by most communities as the areas that have seen the largest cost rises.

    Some of the worst impacted communities reported that the difficulties had brought members closer together in offering support to struggling community members.

    Eighteen of the communities reported that despite the cost of living challenges, they were still happy with life in Australia.

    Just three communities, those from Congo, Ethiopia and Eritrea, reported that they were only ‘partly’ happy with life in Australia.

    Syrian community leader ‘Norma’ said the most recently arrived members of her community were having the most difficulty.

    “Newly arrived people are having the worst time. They struggle to find a house because of the housing shortage and the fact they have no local references or rental history,” she said.

    “And even when they find a house, the rent has usually been increased significantly since the last tenant moved out,” Norma said.  

    But she said that the crisis had seen community members come together to support each other, sharing food and resources and providing emotional support.

    “Everyone is aware that some people are having hard time and so we are trying to help those in need,” she said.

    South Sudanese community leader ‘Elizabeth’ extended families and groups of friends were coming together to help each other.

    “People are reaching out and helping each through things like bulk buying food, sharing vehicles and looking after families that are particularly vulnerable.”

    “Across the community there is a lot of support for people who need it and everyone who is able to, is pitching in to help others.”

    But she said one negative effect was a rise in family violence.

    “This stress on families is sometimes ending badly with more domestic violence.”

    AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said the survey strongly suggested newly arrived refugee and migrant communities are more vulnerable to cost of living rises than the general community.

    “The survey also identifies areas where support for people struggling with the cost of living could make a difference,” Ms Scarth said.

    “Firstly, there is a need for more in-language information for communities about how to access the support that is available in the community and also emergency support.

    “And maybe we need to ramp up community capacity building so that these communities are better placed to help their own members,” she said.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Hundreds of millions of pounds to turbocharge manufacturing sector in Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Hundreds of millions of pounds to turbocharge manufacturing sector in Wales

    Wales to see new £250m investment into UK’s largest semiconductor facility, supporting hundreds of highly-skilled jobs in Newport and supporting the government’s Plan for Change.

    • Vishay Intertechnology’s planned investment is vote of confidence in the region’s industrial capabilities, and strengthens the world’s first Compound Semiconductor Cluster in South Wales.   

    • Chancellor welcomes the investment as a major win for the UK as a global hub for advanced manufacturing.

    Wales is set to benefit from a £250million investment from one of the world’s largest manufacturers of semiconductors that will be vital to the production of electric vehicles (EV), supporting the government’s Plan for Change in delivering more skilled jobs, and turbocharging the economy.

    The Chancellor Rachel Reeves will welcome Vishay Intertechnology’s intention to invest on a visit to their Newport plant today (Thursday 27 March) – the UK’s largest semiconductor facility – as part of plans to develop large-scale compound semiconductor manufacturing in the country.

    The investment will boost production at the state-of-the-art factory where it will make advanced Silicon Carbide semiconductors, an integral part of EV production. This advanced technology supports faster battery charging time, enabling a more efficient supply of energy to the motor and longer driving distances.

    Vishay’s investment is expected to directly support over 500 high value, high skilled jobs in the region and indirectly support hundreds more in the wider supply chain.

    It comes after the Chancellor’s Spring Statement yesterday where she vowed to bring about “new era of security and national renewal” to kickstart economic growth, protect working people and keep Britain safe. The Chancellor confirmed that the OBR has upgraded their growth forecast in 2026 and every year thereafter and people will be on average £500 a year better off by the end of this parliament compared to under the previous government, putting more money in people’s pockets.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

    Under this government the UK is open for business. This is exactly the type of investment that will help us grow the economy, create highly skilled jobs and boost opportunity for people across the country, as we deliver on our Plan for Change to get more money in working people’s pockets.

    Supported by the government’s Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF), the investment will help secure domestic supplies of semiconductors critical to the UK automotive industry, and other key industries including renewable energy and defence, supporting the Industrial Strategy. It also strengthens the UK’s position in a competitive, global semiconductor landscape, supporting long-term growth for our economy.

    It is a huge boost for the UK as a global hub for advanced manufacturing, which has the fastest growth in manufacturing productivity per job in the G7 between 2010-2023.

    Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This is a huge vote of confidence in the Welsh economy and our plans to make Britain the destination of choice for investments in the industries of tomorrow. It will support local skilled jobs and raise living standards, showing our Plan for Change is working.

    Vishay’s investment will help secure a domestic supply of semiconductors which are vital for our world leading automotive sector and support our clean energy industries – key growth driving sectors identified in our upcoming Industrial Strategy.

    Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said:

    This massive investment by Vishay and the UK Government is a huge boost for Wales’s world-leading semiconductor industry.

    Earlier this month I was at Vishay to see the work they do on advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and defence industries – all key sectors in the Welsh economy.

    This investment will build on that success to create and support hundreds of highly skilled and well-paid jobs, driving economic growth in south Wales and beyond and helping us deliver our Plan for Change.

    Roy Shoshani, COO Semiconductors and CTO for Vishay said:

    This is an exciting moment, and the start of our plans for growth in the UK. We can see through the development of the Industrial Strategy and the skilled workforce in Newport that there is a real opportunity to play to the UK’s strength in advanced semiconductors, delivering greater economic security and supporting Net Zero.

    Ahead of her visit to Newport, the Chancellor will join the Invest in Women Taskforce roundtable with the Welsh First Minister which has secured over £250million of funding commitments to support female entrepreneurs in the UK.

    Through the ATF, delivered in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), the government continues to unlock private investment in UK automotive design, development, and manufacturing as the sector transitions to zero emission technology. To date, the ATF and APC funding programmes have leveraged over £6 billion of investment from the private sector.

    The Autumn Budget confirmed over £2 billion for capital and R&D funding over five years for zero emission vehicle manufacturing and their supply chains. Building on the achievements of the ATF and APC programmes, this long-term commitment is a vote of confidence in the UK’s automotive industry, supporting investment and productivity growth across UK automotive.

    Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:

    This significant investment in compound semiconductors is a huge contribution to the innovation and advanced technology necessary to drive the future of UK Automotive. British-made next-generation semiconductors will create jobs, support supply chains and enhance the UK’s strategic capabilities. Digitisation and decarbonisation are at the heart of the transition taking place amongst UK automotive manufacturers, and this investment can support that transition, aided by a comprehensive industrial strategy to deliver the growth the sector and the economy needs.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Portsmouth powers ahead with new EV chargepoint plans

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    There are over 1.3 million electric vehicles in the UK already, accounting for over 4% of all vehicles on roads, and this figure is expected to rise rapidly. With nearly one in five new cars sold being electric vehicles last year, Portsmouth needs to prepare for this rising demand and ensure the infrastructure is in place for people to charge their vehicles.

    Working in collaboration with new chargepoint operator, Zest, the council has identified over 300 potential locations for the new chargepoints, all based on resident requests. The proposed sites are spread across residential areas throughout Portsmouth, ensuring communities all over the city can access simple, easy and reliable charging options.

    If approved, the chargepoints will be installed on or near existing lampposts to draw power, with designated EV-only parking bays marked on the road. They will be publicly accessible to everyone and installed on-street in residential areas, and the council expects the first of these to be installed and available for people to use in summer 2025.

    To make sure chargers are available for EV drivers who need them, only plug-in vehicles are allowed to park in the bays and should be actively charging. Drivers will be able to pay using contactless cards or use the Zest app to start charging and are encouraged to move their cars once charging is complete.

    Residents near proposed locations for chargepoints will receive letters to let them know about the plans, and all sites will undergo a 21-day statutory public consultation as part of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process. This ensures everyone has the chance to share their support or raise objections about proposed locations.

    If approved, this expansion will more than triple the number of on-street chargepoints in Portsmouth, making EV ownership more accessible, particularly for those without driveways or off-street parking. This is a key part of the council’s strategy to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

    All currently available chargepoints in the city will remain operational with their current suppliers for the time being, and the council is working with current operators and Zest to identify which chargepoint locations can be transferred to Zest and how soon they can take over operation.

    Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “This is an exciting step forward in Portsmouth’s journey as a leader in EV charging infrastructure. By significantly expanding our charging network, we’re giving more residents the opportunity to choose electric vehicles, reducing emissions and improving air quality in the city.

    This isn’t just about improving convenience for EV owners—it’s about making Portsmouth a city that embraces innovation, sustainability, and a cleaner, healthier future for everyone.”

    Robin Heap, CEO at Zest, said:

    “Zest is supporting Portsmouth City Council to take significant action on carbon emissions and neighbourhood air quality. Our EV infrastructure partnership will serve residents over many years at locations that have been carefully selected for maximum community benefit.”

    This new charging infrastructure is an important part of the city’s strategy for reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, ensuring Portsmouth provides more support for people to choose electric vehicles by electrifying the city’s transport network.

    It also forms part of Portsmouth’s broader commitment to sustainable travel, which includes encouraging people to walk or cycle where possible, zero-emission buses alongside existing public transport options, rental e-scooters, e-bikes, and a car club.

    EV drivers can stay up to date on public and on-street chargepoint locations and sign up to the council’s EV newsletter at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ev-chargepoints.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: New Eclipse Foundation Research Examines Key Challenges Shaping Open Source Software Adoption in the Automotive Industry

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BRUSSELS, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Eclipse Foundation, one of the world’s largest open source software foundations, today published the final report in its landmark three-part research series on the use of open source software in the automotive ecosystem. Titled Challenges Facing Open Source Software in the Automotive Ecosystem, the report explores the unique challenges developers and decision-makers encounter when leveraging open source software in today’s software-defined vehicle (SDV) landscape.

    “Open source has emerged as one of the most transformative forces in modern vehicle design,” said Mike Milinkovich, executive director of the Eclipse Foundation. “But any significant paradigm shift is bound to introduce some challenges. Our goal with this report is to shine a light on these challenges so the community can address them collaboratively, smoothing the path forward for SDV innovation.”

    Key Findings:

    • Performance, security, and customisability are core open source benefits: Both decision-makers and developers agree that improved performance, stronger security, and customisability are the top advantages of OSS.
    • Integration Challenges and Sustained Performance Improvements Require Ongoing Investment: These same stakeholders view integration complexity, continual real-time performance improvements, and scalability as potential “technical blockers” that demand strategic investment.
    • Management Demands and Predictability Remain Concerns: Long-term planning, compliance, and dependency management were flagged—especially by decision-makers—as critical areas needing careful oversight.
    • Cost Savings Drive Business Value, While Standardisation and Interoperability Drive Engineering Value: Both of these benefits help to justify and alleviate business and technical challenges.
    • Foundation Support Strengthens Trust and Confidence in OSS Projects: Respondents overwhelmingly agree that open source foundation stewardship is critical as a source of credibility, stability, sustainability, and guidance for open source projects.

    Recommendations for Developers, Business Leaders, and Policy Makers
    In addition to presenting key findings, the report outlines actionable insights for key stakeholders:

    • For Software Developers: Advocate for streamlined OSS integration through improved tooling, documentation, and processes. Engaging with foundations and open source communities is key to accessing resources and ensuring long-term project viability.
    • For Business Leaders: Recognise that while OSS offers clear benefits, realizing its full value requires strategic investment in integration, maintenance, governance, and management resources.
    • For Policymakers: Support policies that strengthen the role of OSS foundations in fostering project stability, security audits, and transparent governance frameworks.

    This report follows two prior publications:

    1. Driving Innovation & Building Safer Cars with Open Source Software, focused on the application of functional safety in software-defined vehicle design.
    2. Driving Efficiency and Sustainability: The Business Value of Open Source Software in the Automotive Industry, showcasing the transformative business impact of OSS in the automotive sector.

    Commissioned by the Eclipse Foundation’s Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) Working Group, the study surveyed 300 automotive developers and business leaders from leading OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. The findings underscore the critical role of OSS in driving flexibility, innovation, and efficiency within the industry.

    Join the Eclipse SDV Community
    Explore opportunities to contribute to the global hub for software-defined vehicle innovation and collaboration. Our diverse membership of industry leaders is driving real-world innovation that is shaping the future of the automotive industry. We provide an inclusive platform where companies of all sizes can engage and contribute on equal footing. Find more details about joining us at sdv.eclipse.org/membership.

    About Eclipse Software Defined Vehicle
    Eclipse Software Defined Vehicle (SDV), a working group within the Eclipse Foundation, supports the open source development of cutting-edge automotive technologies that power the programmable vehicles of the future where software defines features, functionality, and operations. With over 50 members, including leading automotive manufacturers, global cloud providers, technology innovators, and key supply chain partners, the initiative has strong industry backing. The working group’s mission is to provide a collaborative forum for developing and promoting open source solutions tailored to the global automotive industry. Adopting a “code first” approach, Eclipse SDV focuses on building the industry’s first open source software stacks and associated tools that will support the core functionalities of next-generation vehicles.

    About the Eclipse Foundation
    The Eclipse Foundation provides our global community of individuals and organisations with a business-friendly environment for open source software collaboration and innovation. We host the Eclipse IDE, Adoptium, Software Defined Vehicle, Jakarta EE, and over 420 open source projects, including runtimes, tools, specifications, and frameworks for cloud and edge applications, IoT, AI, automotive, systems engineering, open processor designs, and many others. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the Eclipse Foundation is an international non-profit association supported by over 300 members. To learn more, follow us on social media @EclipseFdn, LinkedIn, or visit eclipse.org.
    Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

    Media contacts:
    Schwartz Public Relations (Germany)
    Gloria Huppert/Marita Bäumer
    Sendlinger Straße 42A
    80331 Munich
    EclipseFoundation@schwartzpr.de
    +49 (89) 211 871 -70/ -62

    514 Media Ltd (France, Italy, Spain)
    Benoit Simoneau
    benoit@514-media.com
    M: +44 (0) 7891 920 370

    Nichols Communications (Global Press Contact)
    Jay Nichols
    jay@nicholscomm.com
    +1 408-772-1551

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: We calculated how much Dutton’s excise cut would save you on fuel – and few will save as much as promised

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra

    Daria Nipot/Shutterstock

    The opposition has unveiled its response to Labor’s A$17 billion “top-up” tax cuts outlined in Tuesday night’s federal budget: cheaper fuel for Australians.

    Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will take to the election a policy to halve the fuel excise for 12 months. It would drop from 50.8 cents a litre to 25.4 cents, costing the government $6 billion.

    It is a revival of the six-month reduction by the Morrison government ahead of the 2022 election.

    So, how much might people save at the fuel pump? Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor is touting savings of around $1,500 over 12 months for families who fill up (not just top up) two cars every week.

    But few households consume anywhere near this much petrol. Households with electric cars – or no car at all – will get no direct benefit.

    Lowering petrol and diesel prices also shows a lack of commitment to climate action. It reduces the incentive for people to switch to electric cars, use public transport or drive less.



    Read more:
    Peter Dutton promises $6 billion 12-month halving of petrol and diesel excise

    Not everyone benefits from cheaper fuel

    Cutting petrol prices is not a well-targeted way of helping those people doing it tough. On average, high-income households spend more on petrol than low-income households. There’s also significant variation by area.

    By updating modelling we did at the time of the Morrison government fuel excise cuts, we find that under Dutton’s proposal, the average inner-city household in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide will save around $270 over 12 months. The average outer suburban household in these cities will save $450.

    Inner-city dwellers drive less as they have more ability to use public transport, or even walk or ride to work. It is people on the urban fringe, and some inner regional areas, who typically face long commutes.

    Across inner regional Australia, areas relatively close to major cities, the average household saves $410. For outer regional, remote and very remote areas, total savings fall in the range between $370 and $410.

    Effects on inflation

    If the cut to the excise of about 25 cents is fully passed on, the retail petrol price should drop from around $1.80 to $1.55, around 15%. As petrol has a weight of 3.7% in the consumer price index, the direct impact would be to reduce the CPI by around 0.5% when it is introduced and increase it by 0.5% a year later.

    There will be some, likely much smaller, indirect effects. Retailers may pass on some of the reduced cost of having goods delivered to them. Tradies may pass on some of their reduced cost of driving. As a very visible price, there may be some impact on inflationary expectations.

    On the other hand, the increased purchasing power – and therefore spending – by some households may push up other prices.

    As the impact is temporary, and will not be reflected in the trimmed mean measure of underlying inflation, it is unlikely to have much effect on interest rate decisions by the Reserve Bank.

    What will be the effect on the federal budget?

    Dutton claims his policy will cost the budget around $6 billion.

    But this assumes the cut remains temporary. It is unlikely that households will feel cost-of-living pressures have gone away by mid-2026. A Dutton government would be under pressure to extend the cut in the May 2026 budget to avoid petrol prices going back up.

    History shows governments find it hard to reverse cuts once implemented. In 2001, for example, the Howard government was panicked by poor opinion polls into suspending indexation of the petrol excise when prices reached $1 a litre.

    Indexation was not restored for 14 years, at an estimated cost of more than $40 billion in forgone tax revenue.

    What are the political impacts?

    With this policy, it would appear Dutton is giving up on trying to regain the former Liberal seats lost to the Teals. Voters in these inner city seats drive less than the average and are more concerned about climate change.

    He seems instead to be concentrating his campaign on outer suburban seats and what were termed in the Abbott era “Tony’s tradies”.

    So, is it a good idea?

    In 2022, the Economic Society of Australia asked 46 leading economists whether they thought cutting the fuel excise would be good economic policy. Not a single one thought it was a good idea. It’s unlikely that sentiment has changed.

    John Hawkins was formerly a senior economist with Treasury and the Reserve Bank.

    Yogi Vidyattama has previously received funding from The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts to do research related to fuel excise and road pricing in 2016-2017.

    – ref. We calculated how much Dutton’s excise cut would save you on fuel – and few will save as much as promised – https://theconversation.com/we-calculated-how-much-duttons-excise-cut-would-save-you-on-fuel-and-few-will-save-as-much-as-promised-253214

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Modern spacesuits have a compatibility problem. Astronauts’ lives depend on fixing it

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Berna Akcali Gur, Lecturer in Outer Space Law, Queen Mary University of London

    Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the Nasa astronauts who were stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months, have finally returned to Earth.

    Spacesuits were an important consideration that Nasa had to factor into its plans to bring the astronauts back home. Wilmore and Williams had travelled to the ISS in Boeing’s experimental Starliner spacecraft, so they arrived wearing Boeing “Blue” spacesuits.

    Following helium leaks and thruster (engine) issues with Starliner, Nasa decided it was safer not to send them back to Earth on that vehicle. The astronauts had to wait to return on one of the other spacecraft that ferry crew members to the ISS, the SpaceX Crew Dragon.

    This meant they needed a different type of spacesuit, made by SpaceX for use in its vehicle only. Boeing’s suits cannot be used in Crew Dragon in part because the umbilicals (the flexible “pipes” that supply air and cooling to the suit) have connections and standards that don’t work with the ports inside a Crew Dragon.

    This highlights a general problem for the growing number of space agencies and companies sending people into orbit, and for planned missions to the Moon and beyond. Ensuring that different spacesuits are compatible, or “interoperable”, with spacecraft they weren’t designed to be used in is vital if we are to protect astronauts’ lives during an emergency in space, especially in joint missions.

    The spacesuits worn during a return from space are called “launch, entry and abort” (LEA) suits. These are airtight and provide life support to the astronauts in case there is a decompression, when air is lost from the cabin.

    Unfortunately, a decompression has already caused loss of life in space. During the Soyuz 11 mission in 1971, three Soviet cosmonauts visited the world’s first space station, Salyut 1. But during preparations for re-entry, the crew cabin lost its air, killing cosmonauts Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev, who were not wearing LEA suits. All cosmonauts wore them after this incident.

    As well as the connections for life support, the Boeing and SpaceX suits also have restraints and connections for communications that are specific to each vehicle. For their return home from the ISS in a SpaceX capsule, Williams was able into use a spare SpaceX suit that was already aboard the space station and the company sent up an additional suit on a cargo delivery for Wilmore to wear.

    Two spacecraft are usually docked at the ISS as “lifeboats” to evacuate the astronauts in the event of an emergency. These are generally a SpaceX Crew Dragon and a Russian Soyuz capsule.

    If an emergency evacuation were to occur and there weren’t enough of the right spacesuits available – for either the Crew Dragon or Soyuz – it could endanger astronauts during the fiery re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere. Interoperability between spacesuits has therefore become a matter of survival.

    The Outer Space Treaty, which provides the basic framework for international space law, recognises astronauts as “envoys of humankind” and grants them specific legal protections. These were expanded on in subsequent UN treaties – notably the Rescue Agreement, which imposes a range of duties on states to render assistance to each others’ astronauts in cases of emergency, accident or distress.

    For the ISS, a collaborative space programme with international flight crews, protocols include terms that set forth how this obligation is to be met. However, these protocols do not contain terms relating to spacesuit interoperability.

    Risks to astronauts in space

    A major potential cause of an emergency evacuation is space debris. The ISS has regularly had to manoeuvre to avoid collisions with debris – including entire defunct satellites.

    In his memoir, Endurance, Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly describes being commanded to enter the Soyuz vehicle with two other crew members and prepare to detach from the ISS because of a close approach by a large defunct satellite. Luckily, the spacecraft passed by harmlessly.

    As orbits become increasingly congested, with an exponential increase in the number of space objects being launched, the risk of collisions will also increase.

    Ever more companies and governments are entering the human spaceflight arena. The Tiangong space station, China’s orbiting laboratory, has been fully operational since 2022, and there are plans to open it to space tourism, just like the ISS.

    India is planning to join the community of nations with the capability to launch humans into space, under a programme called Gaganyaan. And while most space travellers remain government-funded astronauts, the number of private space-farers is increasing.

    Billionaire Jared Isaacman (who is President Trump’s nominee to run Nasa) has commanded two private missions into orbit using Crew Dragon. On the second of these, he participated in the first spacewalk by privately funded astronauts. The ISS is set to be retired in 2030 – but one company, Houston-based Axiom Space, is already building a private space station.

    Against this complex and part-unregulated backdrop, ensuring the interoperability of different spacecraft systems, including spacesuits, will increase levels of safety in this inherently risky activity.

    While the safety and practicality of spacesuits has always been the top priority, compatibility between different suits and vehicles should also be high on the list. This requires space agencies and private spaceflight companies to engage with each other in a process to agree on standard interfaces and connections for life support and communications, across all their suits and space vehicles.

    Amid this period of increased commercialisation and competition between the organisations and companies involved in orbital spaceflight, a move toward greater collaboration can only be a good thing.

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

    – ref. Modern spacesuits have a compatibility problem. Astronauts’ lives depend on fixing it – https://theconversation.com/modern-spacesuits-have-a-compatibility-problem-astronauts-lives-depend-on-fixing-it-252935

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: Pharmaceutical multinationals double down on China’s biotech innovations

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Multinational pharmaceutical firms, particularly U.S. giants, are increasingly recognizing China’s burgeoning innovative drug sector as a strategic goldmine to bolster their global competitiveness.

    Last week, Lilly’s newly-opened Lilly Gateway Labs in Beijing welcomed its first tenant, namely a Chinese biotechnology company focusing on innovative medicines for neurodegenerative and neurological disorders.

    This marked the launch of Lilly’s first shared lab platform outside the United States, said David A. Ricks, chairman and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company. “China’s biopharmaceutical innovation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace,” he noted.

    China’s vast healthcare market has long been a magnet for global pharmaceutical giants. Notably, the country’s robust biotechnology creativity is now also emerging as a more compelling draw for foreign capital.

    This week, medical tech firm Medtronic opted for tapping into China’s biotech advancements. On Monday, it launched a digital healthcare innovation base at BioPark in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA) — its first in China.

    The new facility plans to leverage Beijing’s leading medical resources and innovation momentum to develop disease management solutions based on AI and big data. To date, nearly 5,000 medical and healthcare companies have gathered in the BDA.

    In addition, Pfizer Inc. is set to open its first Beijing-based entity, a research center — to align clinical trials with global timelines and focus on new product development in oncology.

    British pharma AstraZeneca joined the bandwagon by signing a landmark 2.5-billion-U.S. dollar agreement last Friday to invest in Beijing over the next five years, with the aim of establishing a global strategic R&D center in China’s capital city.

    “China’s biotechnology sector thrives on a dual engine — Beijing’s constellation of famous medical universities training great minds and biotechnology, coupled with an environment that’s cultivating new company formation,” Ricks from Lilly said.

    Lilly’s lab platform is designed to accommodate 5 to 8 biotech companies. Ricks confirmed plans to establish additional facilities in east China’s Shanghai and other innovation hubs in the country.

    “We have hit the optimal moment to develop innovative drugs,” said Guan Xiaoming, co-founder of 4B technologies, a Chinese biotech that has joined Lilly’s Beijing incubator.

    Huzur Devletsah, president and general manager of Lilly China, said: “China’s biopharmaceutical market is rapidly evolving, with significant growth and a strong focus on innovation.”

    Biotech boom

    China’s growing appeal for international pharmaceutical giants stems partly from the remarkable global market performance of its homegrown innovative drugs.

    Akeso, Inc., a startup based in the southern Chinese city of Zhongshan, saw its license-out lung cancer drug outperform blockbuster therapy Keytruda of MSD, which is known as Merck in the United States, in a head-to-head trial. A Wall Street Journal columnist described it as the DeepSeek moment for China’s biotech industry, albeit in a more “incremental” fashion.

    “China has made notable progress in pharmaceutical innovation, both in terms of quantity and quality,” said Xia Yu, Akeso’s founder. “This has boosted its international standing and competitiveness.”

    Currently, an increasing number of Chinese biotech firms are relying on well-trained domestic researchers to quickly advance lab findings to clinical stages. Many such fast-moving startups are choosing to license their innovations to global giants or partner with them in a bid to explore overseas markets.

    On Tuesday, Hengrui, a major pharmaceutical company located in the eastern Chinese city of Lianyungang, inked an exclusive licensing agreement with MSD for a clinical-stage oral coronary heart disease drug.

    Hengrui will receive a 200-million U.S. dollar upfront payment from the global firm headquartered in New Jersey, U.S., and is eligible for up to 1.77 billion in milestones and royalties on net sales if the product is approved.

    Another recent development saw Avenzo Therapeutics, a California-based firm, entering into a license contract in January with Shanghai’s DualityBio, to develop next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) cancer therapies.

    “DualityBio has a strong track record of developing and advancing a pipeline of differentiated ADCs that target a broad range of indications,” said Athena Countouriotis, co-founder, president and CEO of Avenzo Therapeutics, in a statement. The first-in-human clinical study of an ADC candidate drug is anticipated to take place this year.

    Such business collaboration has become a standard practice in the industry. Statistics showed that in 2025 alone — about 20 Chinese innovative drug license-out deals have been struck, with these deals worth over 11 billion dollars.

    Bi Jingquan, an economist from the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said an ecosystem that encourages innovative drug discovery is taking shape in China.

    “China boasts abundant and well-educated human resources, rich clinical research resources, and a drug review and approval system that is largely aligned with international standards,” Bi noted.

    “If you’re looking for innovation, that’s the logical place to go,” Robert Duggan, founder of Summit Therapeutics, which is Akeso’s U.S. partner, was quoted as saying about China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Lantronix Launches New Open-Q 8550CS System-On-Module Designed to Meet the Needs of Edge AI Computing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, Calif., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader of compute and connectivity for IoT solutions enabling Edge AI Intelligence, today announced its new Open-Q™ 8550CS System-on-Module (SOM). Powered by the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ QCS8550 processor, this production-ready module provides low-power, on-device Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities, simplifying design and empowering developers to more quickly bring innovative edge products to market.

    Lantronix’s Open-Q 8550 is uniquely designed to meet the higher AI/ML requirements of extreme Edge computing, including advanced video and AI applications such as video collaboration, video transcoding, camera applications and integration with Edge AI gateways. Like all Lantronix’s embedded compute technology, this platform uniquely provides a complete solution comprised of hardware, software, Device Management and Services, enabling customers to get to market faster. It is an ideal platform for the development of industrial Edge AI products, including drones, controllers, robotics and industrial handheld devices for a variety of industries, including smart warehousing, manufacturing, transportation, logistics and retail.

    “Qualcomm Technologies’ 15-year strategic collaboration with Lantronix supports our mutual goal of delivering integrated, collaborative solutions to elevate the success of IoT, Edge AI and AI/ML technologies to drive the development of advanced-edge applications,” said Suri Maddhula, vice president of IoT Solutions Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies Inc.

    “With the support of Qualcomm Technologies, Lantronix is driving seamless AI innovation at the Edge, empowering developers to harness embedded computing and IoT for cutting-edge, industrial-grade solutions. Together, we’re transforming the impossible into reality,” said Mathi Gurusamy, chief strategy officer at Lantronix.

    High-Performance Open-Q 8550CS SOM Meets AI/ML Requirements for Edge Computing

    The Open-Q 8550CS SOM features an on-device AI engine with premium performance, supporting the higher AI/ML requirements for extreme Edge computing, including Edge devices, Edge servers and Edge AI boxes.

    Key features include:

    • Low power consumption with a 4nm process
    • Kryo Octa-core CPU up to 3.2 GHz and Adreno A740 GPU
    • Dual eNPU delivering 48 INT8, 12 FP16 TOPs
    • Security features include Trusted Management Engine, Hypervisor, Secure Processing Unit, and DDR encryption
    • Enterprise-level connectivity with Wi-Fi 7 MU-MIMO supporting up to 5.8Gbps
    • Best-in-class performance across compute processing, camera, AI, security and audio.
    • Up to 8GB LPDDR5 RAM + 128GB UFS Flash
    • Android™ 13 and Linux Yocto Kirkstone
    • Dedicated Computer Vision Engine
    • Multiple MIPI camera and display ports
    • Multiple high speed connectivity options
    • Support for Qualcomm Sensing Hub 3.0

    Benefits include the ability to:

    • Enhance video conferencing meeting experiences, automated guided vehicle pathing, smart camera image quality and Edge AI box scalability with its octal-core computing capabilities and 48 AI TOPS tensor performance;
    • Perform complex 3D rendering and computer vision tasks with a powerful Adreno 740 GPU supporting ray tracing, Open GL ES, Vulkan and Open CL profiles and 4K240/8K60 video decoding and 4K120/8K30 encoding; and
    • Connect Edge AI boxes leveraging high-speed 2.5G and 10G Ethernet ports.

    Open-Q 8550 Dev Kit Speeds Development, Reduces Time-to-Market

    Providing an ideal starting point for evaluating the Open-Q 8550CS SOM, Lantronix’s Open-Q 8550CS SOM Development Kit is designed to facilitate easy evaluation of the SOM’s key features, such as the low-power AI subsystem with a dedicated DSP and AI accelerator supporting always-on audio, sensors, contextual data streams and an always-on camera.

    The kit supports the evaluation of C-PHY and D-PHY MIPI CSI and GMSL cameras, dual MIPI DSI, DisplayPort, audio, sensors, GNSS, Gigabit Ethernet and many more features. It comes with Lantronix’s Open-Q™ 8550CS SOM, an open-frame carrier board exposing all the available I/O, and a range of accessories to fast-track product development.

    TAA and NDAA Compliant Solutions

    Lantronix Open-Q development solutions are TAA and NDAA compliant, ensuring at least 10 years of longevity with strict Bill-of-Materials and rigorous quality control. Backed by more than 20 years of expertise, Lantronix has successfully delivered more than 1,200 hardware and software projects, setting the standard for reliability and innovation.

    Lantronix Engineering Services

    Lantronix Engineering Services delivers turn-key product development support for its Open-Q platforms and development kits. Backed by unparalleled engineering expertise behind 1,500+ successful products, our development team specializes in camera development and tuning, voice control, machine learning, mechanical and RF design, as well as thermal and power optimization. With cost-effective solutions, we accelerate developers’ go-to-market timelines, ensuring innovation meets efficiency.

    About Lantronix

    Lantronix Inc. is a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions that target high-growth markets, including Smart Cities, Enterprise and Transportation. Lantronix’s products and services empower companies to succeed in the growing IoT markets by delivering customizable solutions that enable AI Edge Intelligence. Lantronix’s advanced solutions include Intelligent Substations infrastructure, Infotainment systems and Video Surveillance, supplemented with advanced Out-of-Band Management (OOB) for Cloud and Edge Computing.

    For more information, visit the Lantronix website.

    Lantronix Media Contact:
    Gail Kathryn Miller
    Corporate Marketing &
    Communications Manager
    media@lantronix.com

    Lantronix Analyst and Investor Contact:        
    investors@lantronix.com

    ©2025 Lantronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Lantronix is a registered trademark. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

    Qualcomm-branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm, Kryo, Adreno and Qualcomm Dragonwing are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/208b6cd7-8503-4deb-97d2-5953513dde52

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Broadcom Teams with Audi to Deliver Next-Generation IT-Based Factory Automation Powered by VMware Cloud Software

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) today announced that Audi’s Edge Cloud 4 Production (EC4P) initiative, powered by VMware Cloud software, is now live with the first virtual programmable logic controller (vPLC) at the Boellinger Hoefe plant in Germany where Audi manufactures the electric Audi e-tron GT car. As part of the EC4P initiative, the VMware Cloud Foundation® (VCF) private cloud platform helps Audi centralize the management and maintenance of dedicated industrial PC devices located on the factory floor, simplify security patching and risk management, and reduce environmental impact through the use of less hardware and fewer manual operations.

    With EC4P, Audi is delivering smart manufacturing by bringing software-defined factory automation to the shop floor and bridging the gap between IT and OT. The initiative includes close partnership between key technology partners including Broadcom, Cisco and Siemens. ​​

    “The use of virtual programmable logic controllers in the body shop is an important productivity leap in our 360factory strategy for efficient and data-driven manufacturing,” said Audi Board Member for Production Gerd Walker. “We want to bring the local cloud for production to all plants and leverage advances in digital control systems in the process.”

    “The collaboration between Audi and Broadcom is core to building a manufacturing future that is more efficient, cost-effective and secure,” said Sven Müller, project lead for EC4P at Audi. “Through our work together, we’re setting new standards for precision, customization, and environmental sustainability. EC4P will reduce our hardware footprint, replacing thousands of decentralized industrial PCs with a more efficient, scalable and flexible architecture of local edge servers that unites the cloud and the edge on the shop floor.”

    Transforming IT-based Factory Automation with a Private Cloud Platform

    Audi deployed VMware Cloud Foundation to create a private cloud environment outside of the Boellinger Hoefe manufacturing plant where critical shop floor workloads are hosted and managed centrally. Some examples include:

    • Virtual Worker Stations (Virtual Desktops): Instead of maintaining physical industrial PCs for running thousands of “worker stations” across the factory, these can now be run as virtual machines (VM) on VMware Cloud Foundation outside of the actual plant. Software and operating system updates can be done as a parallel operation instead of forcing them into the short shift changeover times. If a worker station VM has issues, it can quickly be replaced remotely.
    • Virtual Programmable Logic Controllers (vPLCs): Virtual Programmable Logic Controllers (vPLCs) are used to control robots that manufacture different parts of the cars. A vPLC workload can be installed as a VM or even container and be managed similarly to IT-based cloud infrastructure. Configuration updates, security patches and feature updates can be made from Audi’s private cloud.

    Building on EC4P, upcoming use cases may include AI-driven production, data analytics and computer vision applications for Audi. With VMware Cloud Foundation, Audi aims to achieve the following benefits at Boellinger Hoefe:

    • Infrastructure standardization through one private cloud platform for all applications on the shop floor.
    • Faster updates and deployments through improved efficiency with faster application deployment, automated updates and maintenance.
    • Better agility and scalability through cloud infrastructure that makes it easier and faster to reconfigure a production line to accommodate a product mix change, and scale compute and storage infrastructure easily and independently.
    • Reduced costs through a smaller hardware footprint, less hardware maintenance, and centralized software and operating system updates.
    • Lower environmental impact through a smaller hardware footprint that generates less heat, consumes less power, and results in less e-waste.
    • Enhanced security and resilience through automated and centralized patching at scale and use of immutable snapshots in the event of an attack or breach enable fast roll back to the last known good state, minimizing interruption to the production line.
    • Less downtime through intelligent workload and network telemetry can proactively flag, diagnose and remediate issues and automated updates during planned maintenance windows.

    “As Audi seeks to take factory automation to the next level and benefit from a scalable infrastructure at its factories worldwide, VMware Cloud Foundation will enable the replacement of industrial PCs and specialty hardware on the shop floor with general purpose servers running consistent VMware cloud infrastructure software,” said Paul Turner, vice president of products, VMware Cloud Foundation Division at Broadcom. “VCF provides a consistent and scalable way for Audi to operate a distributed edge infrastructure, manage resources more efficiently, and lower operations costs. Ultimately, VCF will help Audi increase factory uptime, agility, and the speed of rolling out new applications and tools across the production line.”

    About Broadcom

    Broadcom Inc. (Nasdaq: AVGO) is a global technology leader that designs, develops, and supplies a broad range of semiconductor, enterprise software and security solutions. Broadcom’s category-leading product portfolio serves critical markets including cloud, data center, networking, broadband, wireless, storage, industrial, and enterprise software. Our solutions include service provider and enterprise networking and storage, mobile device and broadband connectivity, mainframe, cybersecurity, and private and hybrid cloud infrastructure. Broadcom is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. For more information, go to broadcom.com.

    Media Contacts
    Roger T. Fortier
    VCF Division, Broadcom
    roger.fortier@broadcom.com

    Pauline Chay
    EMEA Communications, Broadcom
    pauline.chay@broadcom.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – Rain clears for an eventful weekend – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Thursday 27th – Sunday 30th March – A band of rain sweeps across New Zealand to end the working week, but MetService is forecasting a sunny weekend for most.  

    Today (Thursday), gloomy skies and wet weather move up the South Island as the North Island holds on to dry and settled conditions. The rain is expected to clear south of Christchurch this evening.

    Tomorrow (Friday), the clouds will gradually part to fine spells over the South Island as the rain band moves on to the North Island. The brief rain will weaken as it moves north, unfortunately, bringing no respite for the driest areas.

    With so many events scheduled this weekend, people will be eagerly checking their local MetService weather forecasts. Sunshine is expected for the last day of the Maadi Regatta on Saturday, without too much more disruption from fog. Blue skies over Wellington’s CubaDupa and Christchurch’s Round the Bays will hopefully encourage a bustling turnout.

    Meanwhile, the classic cars at Whangamata’s Beach Hop should be prepared for a sprinkling of showers on Saturday, so keep that in mind if you’re taking the convertible. The same goes for Auckland’s Synthony festival, as northeasterly winds drag in moist air with a shower or two.

    MetService Meteorologist Michael Pawley says, “For those without weekend plans, the mild temperatures and clear skies will provide prime dog walking and bike riding weather, and you could even take your Nana for a coffee”.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland News – Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust celebrates successes with public field day

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    Northland’s Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust – a finalist in an upcoming national award celebrating excellence in Māori farming and horticulture – is to hold a public field day to showcase the work it has been doing and share its journey and farming practices.
    The trust is one of just two finalists for the near century-old Ahuwhenua Trophy, which was inaugurated by Māori leader Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General at the time, Lord Bledisloe, in 1933. This year, the competition is for Sheep and Beef farmers.
    News of the trust’s success has been welcomed by the Northland Regional Council (NRC) which has worked closely with the trust across multiple environmental initiatives and is supporting its planned Thursday 03 April field day at Ngaiotonga Marae – 1561 Rawhiti Road, Whangaruru.
    The trust has been administering 1100 hectares of the Ngaiotonga A3 Block on behalf of 1284 beneficial owners. The coastal hill country stretches along North Whangaruru and consists of 360ha of effective farmland, 297ha of forestry, and 443ha of native forest and wetlands. (The trust also leases 40ha of a neighbouring block from the Department of Conservation, giving it a total of 400ha effective farming area.)
    The trust has worked actively with various departments within the NRC. To protect the health of the whenua and moana, the trust has been integral to eradicating sika deer in its area, helping mitigate flood risks, working to help enforce marine protection areas, and many more.
    Since regaining its farm in 2020, the trust has embarked on a major investment programme to fence off all of its native bush and wetland areas in partnership with NRC and other agencies to protect rare species including the critically endangered Matuku (Bittern) and Pāteke (Brown Teal duck).
    Council Chair Geoff Crawford says from rivers to the forest, to the coastline, to the farmlands the trust has always been proactive with working in the environmental area, collaborating with multiple council departments.
    “Council is thrilled that the trust’s work in the agricultural space is being recognised.”
    Trust Co Chair Huhana Lyndon says anyone is welcome to attend the public field day.
    “We have decided to host this day to celebrate this achievement and to give people an inside look at the work we’ve been carrying out.”
    The day is expected to have more than 250 attendees, including government ministers, local government, Northland farmers, local residents, whānau, hapū and iwi.
    A pōwhiri will begin at 9am and the farm tour will be with 4WD vehicles only.
    More information is available at: https://www.facebook.com/share/12GYMkCmdXW/
    Meanwhile, the trust’s finalist status for the Ahuwhenua Trophy is not its only success of late. It recently celebrated two wins at the Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards in the Climate Change Resiliency and Agri Business Management categories.
    The winners of the Ahuwhenua Trophy will be announced on Friday June 06 in Papaioea, Palmerston North. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: GAZA – Oxfam: Humanitarian operations in Gaza severely hampered; famine risks increasing

    Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

    Restoring ceasefire deal vital as death toll hits 50,000 and continues to rise amid Israeli airstrikes, aid and power blockades, and renewed mass forced displacements.
    Oxfam and partners’ operations have been severely hampered as Israel’s renewed military assault and ground offensive on Gaza continues into its 7th day.
    Oxfam is calling for a renewed ceasefire and for Israel to lift its 23-day siege which is again blocking aid supplies and increasing famine risks for desperate civilians. Israel imposed a complete blockade 23 days ago and cut off electricity to Gaza a few days later.
    Israeli authorities are denying entry to trucks loaded with 63,000 metric tons of food for 1.1 million people. Operations have been forced to stop in vital areas such as food security and livelihood, as well as hygiene promotion, and essential repair work to damaged water infrastructure. 
    Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s OPT Policy Lead, said: “During the 42-day ceasefire families in Gaza could finally fall asleep knowing their loved ones would still be beside them when they woke up. Even though aid that entered was not enough-far from enough-it was something. The price of food stabilised. Supermarkets reopened. Bakeries began running again. Many people even went to their homes or what was left of it, and tried to repair and rebuild, however little they could.”
    Humanitarian agencies were able to mount operations that saw an average of more than 4,000 trucks per week entering Gaza despite Israeli authorities initially only partially opening the crossings and denying much of the urgently needed reconstruction materials. Oxfam reached almost 200,000 people with essential relief. 
    The Israeli government’s renewed bombardment of residential areas, including Jabalia and Khan Younis, has killed almost 700 people, including at least 200 children since March 18. Israeli authorities have issued new mass forced displacement orders, forcing around 120,000 Palestinians to flee. These orders are causing panic and chaos in the absence of anywhere safe in Gaza.
    Oxfam says humanitarian operations have been gravely hindered by the absence of guarantees of safety for aid workers moving around Gaza.
    Oxfam and its partners say their storage facilities containing food parcels are severely depleted. Israeli authorities have denied access to Oxfam shipments of six desalination units and seven trucks of water and sanitation infrastructure, up to 85% of which has been destroyed by Israel’s bombing campaign.
    “Oxfam, through its partners has been able to initiate emergency water trucking across the Gaza Strip, and are maintaining some other aid programs, such as multi-purpose cash transfers, despite the severe challenges that all humanitarian workers now face around lack of protection,” said Khalidi.
    “For the past 535 days, Israel has been systematically weaponising life-saving aid, inflicting collective punishment upon the population of Gaza. The denial of food, water, fuel and electricity is a war crime and a crime against humanity. Many within the international community are enabling this by their silence, inaction and complicity,” said Khalidi.
    Oxfam’s health partner in Gaza, Juzoor for Health and Social Development, had its center in Jabalia destroyed in an airstrike on March 18. It had been serving over 1,000 patients daily. Dr Umaiyeh Khammash, Director of Juzoor, said: “Every airstrike that hits, threatens the lives and safety of our dedicated staff and the patients they serve. This center is not just a building; it’s the heartbeat of healthcare for countless families here. Without it, many will lose access to crucial medical care.”
    In another attack yesterday (March 23), three sewage operators from the Abasan Al Kabira municipality working with Oxfam’s partner Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) were killed while performing their duties when their clearly- marked truck was destroyed in an attack by Israeli military.
    A renewed ceasefire must be permanent and accompanied by the safe return of Israeli hostages and illegally detained Palestinian prisoners. Israel must provide unfettered aid at scale. Oxfam said governments must stop transferring arms, while the international community must enforce international law. We reiterate our call for justice and accountability for all those affected.  
    Notes:
    • Oxfam works with 19 partner organizations in the Gaza Strip. Between 20 January and 28 February 2025, Oxfam reached a total of 181,622 people across the Gaza Strip with water and sanitation services, including repair and reconstruction, protection, multipurpose cash assistance, distribution of food parcels and essential agricultural inputs for recovery, protection, health care and case management.
    • Since Israel’s breach of the ceasefire and airstrikes on Gaza on 18 March, Oxfam staff movements have been severely restricted in the absence of a notification system. This week, Oxfam’s progammes in Gaza, including those of many partners, have been severely impacted. Oxfam is still able to undertake some water trucking and multipurpose cash distribution, but under high-risk conditions
    • The fatality rate in Gaza is based on the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting on 24 March (11AM) and the fatality rate of children is reported by UNICEF on 21 March
    • Since 2 March, Israeli authorities have re-imposed a total siege, blockading the entire Gaza Strip. It is banning the entry of any humanitarian basic supplies, including water, food, medical supplies and fuel, as well as banning any commercial supplies to enter Gaza.
    • On 10 March, Israeli authorities cut off electricity supply to the only operational large-scale desalination plant for drinking water. With the exception of that last remaining, intermittent electricity feed to the desalination plant, Gaza has been under an electricity blackout since 11 October 2023.
    • The current siege is one week longer than in 2023, when the Israeli authorities imposed a total siege that lasted from 7-21 October 2023.
    • According to the IPC Special Snapshot – September 2024 – April 2025, the risk of Famine between November 2024 and April 2025 persists as long as conflict continues, and humanitarian access is restricted
    • According to the Palestinian Water Authority, 85% of the water and sanitation infrastructure in Gaza is destroyed as a result of Israel’s bombing campaign.
    • The UN reported that during the 42-day ceasefire period, a total of 4,000 trucks per week travelled into Gaza, 600,000 people received polio vaccinations and maternity care was provided for 5,000 births.
    • Satellite images of the Gaza displacement orders, on 18 March, covers an area amounting to 37% of Gaza’s land and double the size of the original buffer zone. This has been reported by Sky News and the figures have been confirmed by the UN. The UN reported on 21 March that more than 120,000 people had fled since the evacuation orders were issued on 18 March.
    • Denial of Aid – breaches Customary IHL Rule 55; 1977 Additional Protocol II Arts 69-71 and 81; Fourth Geneva Convention 1949, Arts 23,55-63 and 108-111; Rome Statute ICC, Crime Against Humanity of Extermination, Art 7 1(b) “Extermination” includes the intentional infliction of conditions of life, inter alia the deprivation of access to food and medicine, calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population. OCHA / WFP food insecurity data,  released every tuesday (18 Mar 2025): Most recent OCHA sitrep (18 Mar 2025):
    • Between 10 and 20 per cent of 4,500 surveyed pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished, a recent analysis by the Nutrition Cluster reveals.
    • To cope with shortages, the Food Security Sector (FSS) partners are drastically reducing food assistance to families, suspending flour distribution to families to prioritize supplies for bakeries, pausing the distribution of fresh produce, and scaling down hot meal preparations at some community kitchens.
    • FSS warns that over one million people risk being left without food parcels in March, and at least 80 of the 170 community kitchens may be forced to close in one to two weeks, if supplies, including cooking fuel, are not allowed into Gaza. The FSS estimates that more than 50,000 metric tons (MT) of food supplies are required monthly to assist everyone with full rations, in addition to 9,700 MT of flour needed monthly to keep the subsidized bakeries running.
    • Since the ceasefire took effect on 19 January, and as of 15 March, 4,646 children have enrolled in malnutrition treatment programmes, 672 of whom were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition.
    • The Nutrition Cluster notes a decrease in monthly enrolments in such programmes from about 5,000 in the month prior to the ceasefire to a monthly average of 2,500 in Phase One of the ceasefire.
    • Nutrition Cluster partners observed a rising number of pregnant and breastfeeding women becoming malnourished – between 10 and 20 per cent,
    • 11 March inter-agency mission to eastern Khan Younis found that agricultural facilities had been largely destroyed, including 1,400 dunums of open land,150 greenhouses, 90 poultry farms, and dozens of livestock and dairy cattle farms. The remaining cultivated land did not exceed 70-80 dunums.
    • Market survey carried out by WFP covering key developments during the first half of March (14th Mar published):
    • WFP currently has sufficient food stocks to support active kitchens and bakeries for up to one month, as well as ready-to-eat food parcels to support 550,000 people for two weeks.
    • WFP has approximately 63,000 metric tons of food destined for Gaza, stored or in transit in the region. This is equivalent to two to three months of distributions for 1.1 million people, pending authorization to enter Gaza.
    • Traders have begun withholding goods due to uncertainty over when new supplies will arrive.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Surveys – Landmark transport survey about to close

    Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

    Monday is the last chance for members of the road transport industry to have a say on what are the key issues affecting them.
    Transporting New Zealand’s landmark look at the industry, the 2025 National Road Freight Survey, is being run by independent survey firm Research New Zealand and closes at noon on Monday, March 31.
    Transporting New Zealand’s Policy and Advocacy Lead, Billy Clemens, says although there has already been a good response to the survey, now is the time for all members of the industry to make sure their voice is heard, on a variety of issues.
    He says people have commented on the reliability of the Cook Strait ferries and the state of the roading network, including such issues as poor road surfacing or insufficient overtaking facilities.
    “We want to know what impact are economic pressures having on your business? What are the main workforce challenges and do you have problems finding enough drivers?
    “What do you think about sustainability and decarbonisation, and if enough is being done for the health, safety, and well-being of drivers?”
    Clemens says one major change that will affect the industry is random roadside drug testing. New legislation enabling testing has just passed its third reading in Parliament and will be passed into law this year.
    He says the move will complement the random drug testing already commonplace in the road freight sector, where driver health and safety is a top priority.
    “Our members take road safety seriously – the health, safety, and wellbeing of drivers is currently one of the top three issues flagged in our 2025 Road Freight Industry Survey,” he says.
    “This legislation is a practical step towards improving road safety outcomes for all road users.”
    Initial results in the public part of the survey have already been released.
    Polling shows plenty of positive public sentiment towards truck drivers, with more than seven times as many people surveyed having a positive view of road freight drivers compared to those taking a negative view (52 per cent to 7 per cent).
    The survey respondents noted truck drivers’ professionalism and skill, essential service and economic contribution, and hard work and long hours, as the leading three reasons for the results.
    Clemens says the results are a great recognition of the great work New Zealand’s 33,000 professional truck drivers do, moving nearly 93 per cent of the country’s freight task.
    The online survey is confidential and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Everyone who completes the survey goes into a prize draw for a $500 House of Travel voucher and a $500 Bridgestone voucher.
    To complete the survey, go to:
    About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
    Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
    Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – 24 new career firefighters join Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand has welcomed 24 new career firefighters at their graduation ceremony at the National Training Centre (NTC) in Rotorua.
    Throughout their 12-week recruit course, the new firefighters learnt skills such as fighting fires, extricating people trapped in cars, and managing hazardous substances, which they demonstrated to whānau and friends at today’s ceremony.
    During the ceremony former aviation rescue firefighter for the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Tracey Barclay, was presented with the top recruit award for displaying outstanding skills, leadership and mana throughout the course.
    “Being the person who shows up on someone’s worst day is something I respect all fellow firefighters for,” says Tracey, who is 35 and will be based at Seaview Station.
    “I would rather help someone else than help myself.”
    “I’ve always been drawn to the team aspect of firefighting. You’re never going to be alone and the crew on that truck becomes your family,” she says.
    As someone with a firefighting background, Tracey’s favourite part of the course was the live firefighting block.
    “Learning how to tackle structure fires, search and rescue in darkness and combining all the skills we were taught over the course was definitely a highlight and a huge learning opportunity,” she says.
    Another graduate with a background as an aviation rescue firefighter is 32-year-old Lewis Jackson. He was based at Queenstown Airport and will be joining Invercargill Station.
    Lewis is no stranger to Fire and Emergency, as he was also a volunteer firefighter with the Frankton Volunteer Fire Brigade.
    Lewis enjoyed the more physical elements of the course, such as the urban search and rescue block.
    “I encourage people to really focus on their physical fitness in the lead up to the course. It can be demanding, so the more you prepare, the easier you’ll find it,” he says.
    Also among the graduates is 26-year-old Matai Wetere, who will be based at Paraparaumu Station.
    For the past six years, Matai has been reclaiming te reo Māori through his studies and mahi as a Māori policy advisor. Now Matai is after the fast-paced career firefighting offers.
    “I thrive in challenging environments and enjoy the adrenaline that comes with high-stake situations,” Matai says.
    “The breathing apparatus and urban search and rescue blocks of the course presented the most mental and physical challenges for me, but the satisfaction and sense of achievement I had after I’d completed them far outweighed the discomfort,” he says.
    Congratulations to all the graduates and nau mai ki te whānau – welcome to the family.
    Applications to be a career firefighter open on 10 April. For more information, go to www.fireandemergency.nz/join.
    “My advice to people considering a career in firefighting is don’t give up. If you’ve applied, failed an aspect in the recruitment process and still want it – keep applying, you’ll get there,” Tracey Barclay says.
    Locations of deployment:
    Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland: 13
    Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington: 8
    Whakatū | Nelson: 1
    Murihiku | Southland: 2

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: BMW, Alibaba to integrate AI into next-generation vehicles

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    German carmaker BMW and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba have announced an expanded strategic partnership in China to bring large-language-model (LLM) artificial intelligence (AI) to BMW’s next-generation vehicles.

    This collaboration forms part of BMW’s 360-degree, full-chain AI strategy in China, which was unveiled on Tuesday and emphasizes partnerships with leading Chinese tech companies in cutting-edge areas such as AI LLMs and intelligent voice interaction.

    The two companies will work together to develop an AI engine based on Alibaba’s Qwen LLM. This AI engine will initially power BMW’s in-car Intelligent Personal Assistant, debuting in its next-generation intelligent vehicles — its Neue Klasse models, which will be manufactured in China and are scheduled for release in 2026.

    “Our long-term partnership with Alibaba Group is exemplary of common growth achieved with co-creation. BMW will work closer with Chinese tech partners on electric mobility and intelligent technologies to write our renewed win-win story,” said Sean Green, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China.

    With research and development (R&D) centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Nanjing, BMW has established its largest R&D network outside of Germany in China.

    “Our partnership with BMW Group marks a pivotal leap in deploying AI-powered LLMs at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, and Qwen’s integration into BMW’s in-car systems showcases how AI can revolutionize mobility,” said Eddie Wu, CEO of Alibaba Group.

    BMW and Alibaba have collaborated since 2015 in various fields, including cloud computing, logistics and smart manufacturing.

    Earlier this month, BMW also announced a partnership with Chinese tech giant Huawei to develop an in-car digital ecosystem specifically tailored for the Chinese market.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump announces new 25 pct auto tariffs

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced plans to impose 25 percent auto tariffs — on top of previous duties — on April 2.

    “What we’re going to be doing is a 25 percent tariff for all cars that are not made in the United States,” Trump said in the White House Oval Office.

    “We’re signing today. It goes into effect on April 2. We start collecting on April 3,” Trump told reporters.

    According to a document released by the White House, Trump signed a proclamation invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts to address “a critical threat to U.S. national security.”

    “The 25 percent tariff will be applied to imported passenger vehicles (sedans, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, cargo vans) and light trucks, as well as key automobile parts (engines, transmissions, powertrain parts, and electrical components), with processes to expand tariffs on additional parts if necessary,” the White House said.

    It also noted that importers of automobiles under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will be given the opportunity to certify their U.S. content, and the 25 percent tariff will only apply to the parts that are not made in the United States.

    The current U.S. tariff on automobiles is generally set at 2.5 percent, while a 25 percent tariff is imposed on light trucks. Vehicles that meet the rules of origin under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are exempt from these tariffs. According to the latest announcement, the 25 percent tariff will be added on top of existing duties.

    Trump claimed that the tariffs would encourage more production to relocate to the United States, generate new revenue for the government, and help reduce the national debt. However, economists believe the tariffs will drive up car prices and hurt consumers, who are already facing high prices.

    “This is a major blow to the auto industry. Ford and GM shares are down sharply,” Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a non-resident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Xinhua.

    “The higher cost of autos cut demand, especially since consumers are in weak shape financially,” Hufbauer said. “I expect substantial job losses in U.S. auto and parts firms.”

    MIL OSI China News –