#Armored Vehicles Market Size

[medicaldevicesindustrynews]

Why Armored Vehicles Can Save You on Roads and Battleground?

Why Armored Vehicles Can Save You on Roads and Battleground?

When you talk about vehicles, especially cars, they are not only on the roads but used in battlefields as well. The ones used in military is different than the normal ones The special vehicles are known as armored vehicles, having the glass, not easily penetrable by bullets. In this blog, you will know about the difference between the tempered a ballistic glass. Ballistic Glass Ballistic glass…

[homebrew-rifts]

Coalition IAR-2 Abolisher Robot

Originally released on p. 35 of Rifts Sourcebook 1

The Abolisher, Infantry Assault Robot (IAR-2), is another giant vehicle that is part of the Coalition States' military forces. Unlike the UAR-1 Enforcer, which is designed specifically to combat ground troops in an urban/city environment, the Abolisher is a frontline infantry unit with long-range capabilities and heavy firepower for obliterating enemy troops. The focus of its armaments is anti-robot and anti-tank, hence the six heavy cannons bristling around what appears to be the head. The rim of cannons has given the 30 foot (9 m) robot the nickname 'Thorn Head."

The heavily armored bot is a massive, humanoid shaped, all terrain assault vehicle designed to withstand heavy bombardment. However, in keeping with the frightening Death's Head motif, the Abolisher is designed to look like a massive skull with arms and legs. The two eyes are infra-red and conventional light searchlights for night assaults. The upper skull body can rotate 360 degrees and is operated by a five-man crew. Two soldiers are gunners operating three cannons each, the pilot and the copilot/communications engineer (either the pilot or copilot can fire the small, forward facing, dual laser turret) and the top hatch gunner, usually a SAMAS.

The big guns are devastating weapons that can blast an enemy from all sides simultaneously. The robot's arms and hands are powerful and lethal in hand to hand confrontations (can rotate 180 degrees at the shoulders). On top of the behemoth is a Gunner's Hatch which allows a SAMAS or soldier to perch himself on the head and fire at the enemy from the top of the robot. An inner hatch locks automatically, preventing the enemy from easy access should the top gunner be killed; the inner hatch can only be opened by one of the pilots.

The only real disadvantage to the 30 foot (9 m) giant is that its incredible weight and large size reduce its speed and maneuvering capabilities. Although great in the field as an outer perimeter defense or as an infantry assault unit (tank with arms and legs), its speed and size make it an easy target (hence the heavy armor). Unless one wishes to destroy a city, the bot is not well suited for city conflicts. Its weapons are too powerful for use in the city, able to demolish an S.D.C. skyscraper in mere moments, and its size and bulk makes maneuvering through narrow streets difficult. Still, it is excellent for city defense, being able to be placed wherever needed, and ideal for infantry combat.

IAR-2 Abolisher: Size 9 (Huge), Crew 5+2, Strength d12+10, Toughness 60 (36), Pace 14+d10 (70 MPH)

Notes: MDC Armor, Shoulder STS-Cluster -4 to hit and 24 Hardness.

Weapons:

6 x C-144 Auto-Cannons (Spaced 360 degrees around the crown of the bot; Range 100/200/400, 5d12+5 Mega Damage, AP 12, RoF 1)

Anti-Personnel Lasers (belly gun)

Black Market Cost: 80 Million credits, Rarity -4

[astralfrontier]

More Star Wars head canon

At one point in the Republic's history - the Clone Wars - all of their military equipment, from weapons to vehicles to armor, could be built to match the specifications of a single man.

Jango Fett is either left or right handed. He's this tall. His eyes are a certain distance apart. His particular diet is best served by including these nutrients. His ass sits most comfortably and safely in these kinds of piloting chairs.

At this moment in time, life was really good for the logistics chain.

Then we get the Empire, and all of this eventually changes.

You have recruits eating the standard rations and going "why the fuck is this dipping sauce a mixture of 43% mayo and 27% ketchup and the rest we can't even identify?"

At some point, there's a huge huge transport that is just full of chairs. It docks, they offload the chairs, tear out all the old fixed-sized ones from all the fighters, and put the new ones in. Not everything is perfect, though, so one day a pilot is chasing rebels and suddenly his chair comes unbolted from the fighter's frame and he bumps his helmeted head, and that's why Princess Leia got away with the Death Star plans.

There is a sudden glut of used Stormtrooper armor on the black market, wearable if you are (a) this one particular dude or (b) a tailor. There's a sudden demand for new, more flexible armor, and tools to resize the various parts of it.

All of this costs the Empire a monumental quantity of credits. Mid-level accountants bring this problem to their superiors, who say nothing about it to their managers, because after that one guy told Vader to pay up and got a crushed trachea for his trouble, saying nothing is the secret to a long life and healthy career. The executives who actually have to pay for this take two routes: sell a bunch of Clone War era gear to mercenaries and Rebels under the table to make up the difference, or detail a squad of goons and one guy in black robes and a hood and glowing red eyes to go deal with the company asking to get paid.

A few decades later, the people who make decisions like this are all gone, and the galaxy is better off for it. But until then, it's a wild ride.

[newstfionline]

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

TSA tests facial recognition technology to boost airport security (AP) A passenger walks up to an airport security checkpoint, slips an ID card into a slot and looks into a camera atop a small screen. The screen flashes “Photo Complete” and the person walks through—all without having to hand over their identification to the TSA officer sitting behind the screen. It’s all part of a pilot project by the Transportation Security Administration to assess the use of facial recognition technology at a number of airports across the country. The effort comes at a time when the use of various forms of technology to enhance security and streamline procedures is only increasing. TSA says the pilot is voluntary and accurate, but critics have raised concerns about questions of bias in facial recognition technology and possible repercussions for passengers who want to opt out. Travelers put their driver’s license into a slot that reads the card or place their passport photo against a card reader. Then they look at a camera on a screen about the size of an iPad, which captures their image and compares it to their ID. The technology is both checking to make sure the people at the airport match the ID they present and that the identification is in fact real. A TSA officer is still there and signs off on the screening.

NYC converts hotels to shelters as pressure mounts to accommodate asylum seekers (AP) The historic Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan shuttered three years ago, but it will soon be bustling again—reopening to accommodate an anticipated influx of asylum seekers just as other New York City hotels are being converted to emergency shelters. Mayor Eric Adams announced Saturday that the city will use the Roosevelt to eventually provide as many as 1,000 rooms for migrants. Across the city, hotels like the Roosevelt that served tourists just a few years ago are being transformed into emergency shelters, many of them in prime locations within walking distance from Times Square, the World Trade Center memorial site and the Empire State Building. A legal mandate requires the city to provide shelter to anyone who needs it. Even so, Adams says the city is running out of room for migrants and has sought financial help from the state and federal governments.

Title 42 Is Gone, but Not the Conditions Driving Migrants to the U.S. (NYT) Relative quiet has prevailed along the southern U.S. border since Friday, despite widespread fears that ending a pandemic-era policy to immediately expel most migrants, even asylum seekers, would set off a stampede from Mexico. A surge in migrants did in fact happen. On some days last week, apprehensions reached about 11,000, among the highest recorded. But the lull could be the calm before another storm. Beyond U.S. borders, political instability, gang violence and climate change will continue to spur emigration. Much of the developing world, from Africa and Asia to South America and the Caribbean, is still reeling from economic ruin wrought by Covid-19 and exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. “Everyone is looking at the arrivals at the border, but the root of the problem lies in push factors inside countries of origin that are going to persist,” said Justin Gest, a political scientist at George Mason University who studies immigration. “When crises occur, they generate northbound flows,” he said. And, beyond the factors pushing migrants out of their home countries, the magnet drawing people to the United States is the labor market. Unemployment stands at its lowest level in decades, yet there are millions of unfilled jobs.

France pledges more military aid as Ukraine’s Zelenskyy makes surprise Paris visit (AP) France pledged additional military aid for Ukraine on Sunday, including light tanks, armored vehicles, training for soldiers and other assistance as the Ukrainians gear up for a counteroffensive against Russian forces, following surprise talks in Paris between the Ukrainian and French presidents. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France’s Emmanuel Macron met for about three hours at the French presidential Elysee Palace—an encounter kept under wraps until shortly before the Ukrainian leader’s arrival in Paris from Germany on a French government jet, extending his multi-stop European tour. With Ukraine planning to go on the offensive hoping to retake Russian-occupied territory, military aid was a top agenda item. Macron’s office said France will supply dozens of light tanks and armored vehicles “in the weeks ahead,” without giving specific numbers. Also promised were more air defense systems, but again details weren’t made public.

As Ukraine Makes Inroads in Bakhmut, Devastation Still Reigns (NYT) For nearly a year, Ukraine has been simply trying to hold on in Bakhmut as Russian forces pressed in on the city from both sides while at the same time laying waste—block by bloody block—to what had once been a vibrant salt-mining city of 80,000. Over time, Bakhmut has taken on an outsize importance: a symbol of Ukrainian defiance and of Russian leaders’ determination to blast their way to a small victory in a little-known corner of eastern Ukraine. Last week, for the first time, Ukrainian forces launched a series of coordinated counterattacks and in a matter of days won back territory north and south of the city that it had taken Russian forces months to capture. But Russian forces still control more than 90 percent of the city, according to Russian and Ukrainian officials. The commander of the 24th Motorized Rifle Brigade, who goes by the call sign Prince, said on Saturday that after taking a short tactical pause, Russian forces were furiously assaulting the city again. “Artillery fire, rocket and airstrikes do not stop for a minute,” he said. “Every meter of the city is now under shelling.”

The Ivy-educated opposition leader who could end Thai military rule (Washington Post) For nearly a decade, Thailand has been led by an authoritarian military establishment—but Pita Limjaroenrat, an Ivy League-educated business executive and leader of a liberal opposition party, is seeking to change that. The results of Sunday’s election appear to have gone largely in his party’s favor, potentially setting the stage for Pita to become the country’s next prime minister, but rules set in place after a 2014 military coup could complicate that process. At 42, Pita is nearly 30 years younger than Thailand’s current leader, retired general Prayuth Chan-ocha, who took power after the 2014 coup. Pita was born in Thailand but raised in New Zealand before he returned to his native country and completed an undergraduate degree in finance and banking at Thammasat University in Bangkok. He went on to earn master’s degrees in public policy and business from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, according to his legislative biography. Before becoming a member of Thailand’s parliament in 2018, he worked as the head of ride-share company Grab’s operations in Thailand and earlier as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group. He has pledged to move Thailand out of what he calls a “lost decade” of slow economic growth. Part of that plan, he says, includes diversifying Thailand’s tourism-dependent economy and spreading it out beyond the capital, Bangkok. In a televised interview with Bloomberg last month, Pita said three main points of his agenda are to “demilitarize, de-monopolize and decentralize.”

China launches projects to build ‘new-era’ marriage, childbearing culture (Reuters) China will launch pilot projects in more than 20 cities to create a “new-era” marriage and childbearing culture to foster a friendly child bearing environment, the latest move by authorities to boost the country’s falling birth rate. China’s Family Planning Association, a national body that implements the government’s population and fertility measures, will launch the projects to encourage women to marry and have children, state backed Global Times reported on Monday. The projects come amid a flurry of measures Chinese provinces are rolling out to spur people to have children, including tax incentives, housing subsidies, and free or subsidised education for having a third child. China implemented a rigid one-child policy from 1980 until 2015—the root of many of its demographic challenges that have allowed India to become the world’s most populous nation. The limit has since been raised to three children.

China sentences 78-year-old US citizen to life in prison on spying charges (AP) China sentenced a 78-year-old United States citizen to life in prison Monday on spying charges, in a case that could exacerbate the deterioration in ties between Beijing and Washington over recent years. Details of the charges against John Shing-Wan Leung, who also holds permanent residency in Hong Kong, have not been publicly released. Leung was detained April 15, 2021, by the local bureau of China’s counterintelligence agency in the southeastern city of Suzhou. Relations between Washington and Beijing are at their lowest in decades amid disputes over trade, technology, human rights and China’s increasingly aggressive approach toward its territorial claims involving self-governing Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Off-grid solar power brings light to remote villages LAINDEHA, Indonesia (AP)—As Tamar Ana Jawa wove a red sarong in the fading sunlight, her neighbor switched on a light bulb dangling from the sloping tin roof. It was just one bulb powered by a small solar panel, but in this remote village that means a lot. In some of the world’s most remote places, off-grid solar systems are bringing villagers like Jawa more hours in the day, more money and more social gatherings. Now, villagers frequently gather in the evening to continue the day’s work, gather to watch television shows on cellphones charged by the panels and help children do homework in light bright enough to read. Some 775 million people globally lacked access to electricity in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are home to some of the largest populations without access to electricity. Not having electricity at home keeps people in poverty, the U.N. and World Bank wrote in a 2021 report.

Massive new US embassy complex in Lebanon is raising eyebrows (CNN) A massive new US embassy complex in Lebanon is causing controversy for its sheer size and opulence in a country where nearly 80% of the population is under the poverty line. Located some 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) from the center of Beirut and built on the site of the current embassy, the US’ new compound in Lebanon looks like a city of its own. Sprawling over a 43-acre site, the complex in the Beirut suburb of Awkar is almost two-and-a-half times the size of the land the White House sits on and more than 21 soccer fields. Many Lebanese on Twitter questioned why the US needs such a large embassy in their capital. Lebanon is smaller than Connecticut and has a population of just six million and few American tourists go to the country. “Did the US move to Lebanon??” tweeted Sandy, a social media activist. “Maybe you’ll have enough room to work on all those pending visa applications,” tweeted Abed A. Ayoub, national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, responding to the grandiosity of the new complex.

[atplblog]

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[ravinderimarc]

The global armored vehicles upgrade and retrofit market size reached US$ 6.4 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 8.3 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9% during 2024-2032.

[credenceresearchdotblog]

The Manned Anti-Tank Guided Missile System Market is projected to grow from USD 362.7 million in 2023 to an estimated USD 496.38 million by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.00% from 2024 to 2032. The global manned Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) system market is an integral part of the defense sector, evolving as a critical tool in modern warfare. ATGMs are designed to defeat heavily armored vehicles, fortifications, and in some cases, low-flying aircraft. The manned systems, which are operated directly by personnel, are crucial in ground-based warfare where flexibility, mobility, and precision are essential. This article explores the current state of the market, factors driving its growth, technological innovations, and challenges faced by industry players.

Browse the full report https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/manned-anti-tank-guided-missile-system-market

Market Growth and Drivers

The manned ATGM system market has experienced consistent growth over the last decade due to rising geopolitical tensions, increasing defense budgets, and the need for advanced battlefield technologies. Governments across the globe, particularly in regions like the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, are ramping up defense spending to counter modern threats such as insurgency, terrorism, and armored warfare. These factors, combined with the demand for modernized military hardware, are driving the procurement of manned ATGMs.

1. Increased Defense Budgets In regions like the U.S., China, Russia, and India, rising defense budgets have propelled the acquisition of modern manned ATGM systems. For example, the United States' focus on modernizing its military infrastructure has significantly boosted the demand for advanced missile systems. Similarly, India’s geopolitical stance and border tensions have pushed it to invest heavily in anti-tank capabilities, primarily through indigenously developed systems like the Nag missile.

2. Geopolitical Tensions and Conflicts Conflict zones in the Middle East, ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe, and border skirmishes in Asia have contributed to an uptick in demand for ATGMs. These missile systems are vital in anti-tank warfare, allowing smaller military forces to counter more powerful, armored forces effectively. The Ukraine-Russia conflict, for example, has underscored the value of portable anti-tank systems, leading to heightened interest in missile technologies in that region.

3. Technological Advancements ATGMs have evolved significantly in terms of range, accuracy, and lethality. Recent advancements include fire-and-forget technologies, top-attack profiles, improved guidance systems, and enhanced penetration capabilities, making these systems even more formidable. Modern manned ATGMs like the Javelin (U.S.) and Kornet (Russia) exemplify cutting-edge technology in this sector, offering higher hit probabilities and adaptability in various combat environments.

Challenges Facing the Market

Despite the robust growth prospects, the manned ATGM system market faces several challenges. The high cost of advanced missile systems is a significant barrier, especially for developing countries with constrained defense budgets. Additionally, integrating ATGMs into existing military frameworks can be complex, requiring extensive training and logistics support.

Moreover, while manned ATGMs are critical in many combat scenarios, there is growing interest in autonomous and unmanned missile systems, which could eventually reduce the market share of manned platforms. These unmanned systems offer increased flexibility and lower risk to human operators, making them an attractive alternative for future warfare.

Key players

BAE Systems

Denel Dynamics

Elbit Systems Ltd

General Dynamics Corporation

KBP Instrument Design Bureau

Lockheed Martin Corporation

MBDA

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems

Raytheon Company

ROKETSAN A.S.

Saab AB

Thales Group

Northrop Grumman

Hensoldt

Leonardo S.p.A.

Segments

Based on Missile Type

Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW)

Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP)

Javelin

FGM-148 Javelin

Others

Based on Firing Platform

Vehicle-Mounted

Man-Portable

Based on End User

Military

Homeland Security

Based on Region

North America

US

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Germany

France

UK

Italy

Spain

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

South-east Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Argentina

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC Countries

South Africa

Browse the full report https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/manned-anti-tank-guided-missile-system-market

Contact:

Credence Research

Please contact us at +91 6232 49 3207

Email: sales@credenceresearch.com

Website: www.credenceresearch.com

[newstfionline]

Monday, February 6, 2023

The mood of the U.S. (Gallup) Americans’ assessment of the state of the nation remains in the pandemic-era slump seen since 2021, marked by subdued satisfaction with 30 different aspects of the country. These include the public’s reaction to several aspects of U.S. society generally, as well as to numerous specific issues facing the country. These findings from Gallup’s Jan. 2-22 Mood of the Nation poll come as only 23% of Americans are broadly satisfied with the way things are going in the country, while the rest are dissatisfied, including nearly half “very dissatisfied.” The overall quality of life in the country (65%) and the opportunity for a person to get ahead by working hard (61%) are the only two societal dimensions of eight measured in this year’s Mood of the Nation poll that a majority of Americans view positively. Even these satisfaction ratings, however, are well below the record highs of 89% for the quality of life in 2001-2002 and 77% for opportunity in 2002. Close to half of Americans today are satisfied with the influence of organized religion, while satisfaction drops to a third for the size and power of the federal government as well as the U.S. system of government and how it works. Americans are least satisfied with the nation’s moral and ethical climate (20%), the way income and wealth are distributed (24%), and the size and influence of major corporations (27%).

Attacks on Electrical Substations Raise Alarm (NYT) A recent spate of attacks on electrical substations in North Carolina and other states has underscored the continued vulnerability of the nation’s electrical grid, according to experts who warn that the power system has become a prime target for right-wing extremists. Over the last three months, at least nine substations have been attacked in North Carolina, Washington State and Oregon, cutting power to tens of thousands of people. After those attacks, federal regulators ordered a review of security standards for the electrical system. Because they house transformers that transfer power from region to region, the tens of thousands of substations across the country represent the most vulnerable nodes in the nation’s vast electrical grid, said Jon Wellinghoff, a former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

America’s offices are now half-full. They may not get much fuller. (Washington Post) The tug of war over getting workers back to the office just reached a key milestone: 50 percent are back at their desks on average, the most since the pandemic hit in March 2020. But that means major corporate offices are only half as full as they once were—and many experts think this could be as good as it gets. The return-to-office figures are unlikely to go much higher as flexible work becomes entrenched in the lives of white-collar workers, experts say. Some employees have resisted hard mandates to return: They’ve left for remote opportunities elsewhere or even flouted in-office requirements, flexing worker leverage while the labor market remains hot. In response, more companies seem to be moving toward acknowledging that the 9-to-5, Monday-through-Friday in-office job is over. More than half of U.S. jobs that can be done remotely were hybrid as of November, up from 32 percent in January 2019, according to data from Gallup.

Peruvian politics (Reuters) As deadly protests rage across Peru, a political battle is unfolding inside the halls of Congress, walled off from the streets by hundreds of police, armored vehicles and a maze of gates. Lawmakers are at loggerheads over whether to hold a snap election this year following the Dec. 7 ouster of leftist President Pedro Castillo part-way through his term, an event that sparked weeks of protests that have seen 48 people killed. Despite the violence, and despite polls that show the majority of Peruvians want the election brought forward, Congress appears to be in deadlock. At least three election bills have been rejected and others knocked back before being debated in the past week, with parties on the left and right apparently unable or unwilling to compromise. “They fight like they’re in a street market,” said Juliana Gamonal, 56, a food delivery person in Lima. “We don’t have good leaders right now, everything is for their benefit, not for the people.” Congress has 13 different voting blocs, making it hard to reach majorities needed for legislation. Meanwhile, constitutional rules make it relatively easy to attempt impeachment—leading the fragmented blocs to use it to punish presidents they don’t like. There have been seven impeachment attempts in the last five years—which have seen six presidents.

Brazil sinks aircraft carrier carrying asbestos, other toxins (Washington Post) Brazil’s navy said Friday night that it had carried out a “planned and controlled” operation to sink a decommissioned aircraft carrier nearly 220 miles off its coast—despite the objections of environmentalists and some government officials who argued that it contained toxic materials that could contaminate the ocean. The navy said in a statement that the operation to sink the São Paulo, a Clemenceau-class carrier, was carried out with the necessary technical competencies and safety measures in “order to avoid logistical, operational, environmental and economic losses to the Brazilian state.” Before Friday’s operation, the São Paulo had been at the center of a months-long odyssey, with governments on several continents refusing to let it dock. Brazil bought the 30,000-ton São Paulo from France in 2000 and decommissioned it in 2018.

Most travelers will soon have to fill out an online application to visit the UK (The Week) As part of efforts to fully digitize its borders by 2025, the United Kingdom is launching the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which is expected to be up and running by the end of 2023. All foreign nationals will have to apply online for an ETA before arriving in the UK, providing “basic personal details, passport data, and some security information,” the ETA UK website says. People can apply from their own homes—there’s no need to go to an embassy—and most will be approved quickly, “with only complex decisions made by ETA officials.” There will be a fee, which has yet to be announced. This isn’t a visa, and the website stresses that “Europeans and travelers from countries including the US and Canada will maintain their visa-free status but will need an ETA to cross the UK border.” The details are still being worked out, but it’s likely the ETA will be valid for at least two years, meaning regular visitors will not have to keep reapplying.

Zelensky warns situation at war front ‘getting tougher’ (Washington Post) Russia is multiplying its attacks to break Ukraine’s defenses, and the situation on the war front is “getting tougher,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address. He said the situation was “very difficult” in the country’s east, especially around Bakhmut, Vuhledar and Lyman. Ukraine has said it will keep fighting for Bakhmut, even as Russia is tightening its grip on the city. Ukrainian losses are mounting in Bakhmut, where a U.S. citizen, Pete Reed, was killed while working as a volunteer paramedic with an outreach group.

Powerful quake rocks Turkey and Syria, killing more than 600 (AP) A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked southeastern Turkey and northern Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 600 people. Hundreds were still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area. On both sides of the border, residents jolted out of sleep by the pre-dawn quake rushed outside on a cold, rainy and snowy winter night, as buildings were flattened and strong aftershocks continued. Rescue workers and residents in multiple cities searched for survivors, working through tangles of metal and giant piles of concrete.

The deepening chill of Afghanistan’s second Taliban winter (Washington Post) In a yard ankle-deep with mud and snowy slush, a woman named Farzana, 32, squatted and scrubbed clothes in a bucket last week. When she stood, her hands were stiff and red. Her daughters were out begging for bread; her sons were collecting trash to use as stove tinder. At night, in a mud-walled hut on the outskirts of the Afghan capital, the family of seven would huddle together under blankets as the heat slowly died. As 40 million Afghans struggle through a second winter since the return of Taliban rule, many are facing conditions far worse than during the first. The weather has been exceptionally harsh, with temperatures often near zero at night. More than 160 people nationwide have died of hypothermia. So have at least 200,000 goats, sheep and other livestock. In isolated northern provinces, many roads are blocked by snow and little emergency aid can be delivered. According to the World Food Program, nearly 20 million people face acute food shortages this winter, and 6 million face “emergency-level food insecurity.” Many foreign aid projects, which distributed food and supplies last winter across the country, have been cut back or suspended because of an impasse between international donors and Taliban authorities over women’s rights, especially new Taliban edicts banning women from attending college or working for foreign charities.

Sri Lanka marks independence anniversary amid economic woes (AP) Sri Lanka marked its 75th independence anniversary on Saturday as a bankrupt nation, with many citizens angry, anxious and in no mood to celebrate. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has started to improve some but not all of the acute shortages, acknowledged the somber state of the nation, saying in a televised speech, “We have reached the point of destruction.” Many Buddhists and Christian clergy had announced a boycott of the celebration in the capital, while activists and others expressed anger at what they see as a waste of money in a time of severe economic crisis. Sri Lanka is effectively bankrupt and has suspended repayment of nearly $7 billion in foreign debt due this year pending the outcome of talks with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package.

Pope makes final bid for peace, forgiveness in South Sudan (AP) Pope Francis made a final appeal for peace in South Sudan on Sunday as he celebrated Mass before tens of thousands of people to close out an unusual mission by Christian religious leaders to nudge forward the country’s recovery from civil war. On the last day of his African pilgrimage, Francis begged South Sudanese people to lay down their weapons and forgive one another, presiding over Mass at the country’s monument to independence hero John Garang before an estimated 100,000 people, including the country’s political leadership. “Even if our hearts bleed for the wrongs we have suffered, let us refuse, once and for all, to repay evil with evil,” Francis said. “Let us accept one another and love one another with sincerity and generosity, as God loves us.”

In a world of drones and satellites, why use a spy balloon anyway? (Washington Post) In a world of advanced surveillance technology, including drones and satellites, why on Earth would a country use a balloon for spying? That was the question on everyone’s mind this week after U.S. defense officials accused China of flying a high-altitude surveillance balloon over the continental United States. Despite the furor, spy balloons are actually not that unusual. According to U.S. officials, they have been spotted over U.S. territory a number of times in recent years. “Balloons offer a few advantages over the use of satellites or drones,” James Rogers, an academic at Cornell and the University of Southern Denmark. “Not only are they cheaper than launching satellites into space, but by operating within the bounds of the earth’s atmosphere, closer to the surface, they can obtain better quality images,” he added. The latest generation of balloons are high-tech in their own right, “envisaged as systems that can fly up to 90,000 feet” high, “deploy their own drone systems” and detect incoming missiles. Balloons can soar above the range of most planes, Clarke said, and their slow speed means they aren’t always picked up by radar. Satellites can provide high-resolution imagery, Clarke said—but balloons can stay over one area for longer periods than satellites, if the weather permits.

[rajasglobal]

The South Korean defense market is a critical component of the nation's security strategy, driven by the need to respond to regional threats and ensure national sovereignty. As one of the largest defense markets in Asia, South Korea invests heavily in modernizing its military capabilities to address emerging challenges.

Key Trends Influencing the Defense Market

Geopolitical Tensions The defense market in South Korea is significantly influenced by geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing threat posed by North Korea. The North’s nuclear ambitions and frequent military provocations have prompted South Korea to strengthen its military capabilities. The U.S.-South Korea alliance remains a cornerstone of the nation’s defense strategy, with joint military exercises and cooperation in missile defense systems playing a vital role in deterring potential threats.

Technological Advancements Technological advancements are reshaping the South Korean defense landscape, with increased investment in modern military technologies. The government is focusing on enhancing cybersecurity, developing unmanned systems, and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into defense applications. These advancements aim to improve situational awareness, enhance combat capabilities, and ensure the effectiveness of military operations.

Domestic Defense Industry Growth In recent years, South Korea has made significant strides in developing its domestic defense industry. The government has implemented initiatives to promote self-reliance in defense capabilities, encouraging local manufacturers to produce advanced military systems. This strategy not only reduces reliance on foreign suppliers but also fosters innovation and job creation within the country. Companies like Hanwha Defense and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are at the forefront of this growth, producing a range of military platforms, including fighter jets, armored vehicles, and naval vessels.

[rohit0024]

U.S. Armored Vehicle Market To Reach $12.26 Billion By 2030

October 2024 | Report Format: Electronic (PDF) U.S. Armored Vehicle Market Growth & Trends The U.S. armored vehicles market size is expected to reach USD 12.26 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The industry is anticipated to grow at a lucrative CAGR of 5.4% from 2023 to 2030. The U.S. armored vehicle market has witnessed considerable growth owing to the…