NATO Secretary General at SOCOM US Special Operations Command in Tampa, Flo...

  

The Secretary General commended the troops for their service, noting that Special Operations Forces “are vital to any military operation. And therefore, so important for the whole NATO Alliance.” He also paid tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty. Mr Stoltenberg highlighted that Allies’ increased defense spending will not only result in boosting national capabilities, but will also facilitate more cooperation in NATO. Pointing to the increasingly global nature of security threats and challenges, the Secretary General stressed “NATO is responding because we need to do that together.”

He underlined that together, NATO Allies make up half the world’s economic and military might, adding: “NATO is a good deal for all Allies… NATO is a good deal for the United States.” The visit to SOCOM wraps up a week of engagements in the U.S. by Mr Stoltenberg. On Wednesday, at the Lockheed Martin facility in Troy, Alabama, the Secretary General emphasized NATO’s crucial role in creating a vast market for defense sales and production

US Defense Market AnalysisThe US Defense Market size is estimated at USD 617.29 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 651.16 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 0.67% during the forecast period (2024-2032).

Regional Insights

North America dominated the industry in 2022 with a revenue share of 55.7% and is expected to witness increased penetration of composites for use in aerostructure owing to the presence of a large aircraft manufacturing industry in the region. The region is expected to cater to around one-third of the global operational fleet, resulting in an increased demand for airframes and other aircraft parts over the forecast period. The aerospace & defense industry in Europe is expected to grow at a steady CAGR, in terms of volume, from 2023 to 2030 owing to a rise in defense spending by NATO countries. 

The rise in terrorist threats in the region is expected to drive the market.

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Grand View Research

Aerospace And Defense Materials Market Size Report, 2030

Mesa gets $1M grant to replace grass strips with sustainable rocks at parks

The parks selected for this project are located in Mesa areas primarily served by Colorado River water, which is the focus of WIFA's grant program. 

Removal of the non-functional turf reduces the use of existing water supplies, promotes water security, and helps reduce energy consumption associated with water pumping and treatment. The project is expected to begin in the summer of 2024, and the anticipated completion is early 2026. 

NewsBreak Original

Here is How the State Board Utilized $100 Million in Water Conservation Grant Funds | Jon P | NewsBreak

KTAR News

2 days ago

Water Conservation Grant Fund Award of $1 million for Mesa

AZCentral

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs touts water conservation efforts with California, Nevada

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Uploaded: Jan 9, 2024

Gov. Katie Hobbs detailed water conservation efforts between Arizona, California and Nevada to ensure water access for generations.

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Arizona's Water Infrastructure Authority (WIFA) has granted Mesa a $1.06 million Water Conservation Grant Fund Award to remove non-functional turf at approximately 50 City of Mesa parks and basins. 

• The funds will allow the City to remove a 6-foot strip of turf adjacent to infrastructure, such as block walls, and replace it with landscape rock and cement curbing at each of the selected locations. 
• The project, which requires a city total project match of 25%, will support Mesa's Climate Action Plan goals and the City's commitment to water stewardship and reducing water usage.

"Being responsible stewards of our water resources is an important aspect of futureproofing Mesa. We live in the desert and how we plan our landscape impacts our water conservation goals," said Mesa Mayor John Giles. "I commend Mesa Parks and Recreation staff for their initiative in pursuing this WIFA award."

This non-functional turf removal project will save over five million gallons of water annually, reducing irrigation and mowing needs at selected parks. The City also expects a reduction in complaints and damages to infrastructure.

"We are thrilled to receive this WIFA grant as it allows us to remove approximately five acres of non-functional turf in our parks," said Andrea Moore, director of the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department. "The savings will help us manage our water resources in the most efficient way possible."

Arizona Hydrological Society

Round 5 of WIFA's Water Conservation Funding Begins – Arizona Hydrological Society

Moscow's Video 'Proof' Shows U.S. Patriot Missile Downed Russian Plane Transporting 65 Ukrainian POWs

  

1 Feb, 2024 10:05

US-supplied missile shot down plane carrying Ukrainian POWs – investigators (VIDEO)

Kiev used two foreign-made missiles to destroy the Il-76 last week, authorities have said

Source: Russia’s Investigative Committee

A Russian cargo plane carrying dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) for exchange was downed last week by a US-made Patriot air defense system, the country’s Investigative Committee has confirmed.

In a statement on Thursday, the agency said that it had identified the type of weapon used to shoot down the Il-76 last Wednesday over Belgorod Region. There were 65 Ukrainian POWs, three Russian troops, and six crew members on board, all of whom died in the crash.

The Investigative Committee said that Ukraine fired two missiles from a staging area in Kharkov Region, not far from the village of Liptsy, some 10km from the Russian border.

Officials said that during the investigation they found 116 missile fragments bearing inscriptions in English, with one of them reading: “CONFIDENTIAL classified by PATRIOT SECURITY CLASSIFICATION GUIDE DATED: 9/22/83 ADDENDA DATED 11/28/83 8/8/84 CONTRACT NO/DAAH01-86C-A018.”

 

Source: Russia’s Investigative Committee

Another piece also read “Raytheon,” a reference to one of the designers of the Patriot air defense system, the statement said, adding that an extensive series of forensic tests found that the composition of the explosives indicates they were most likely produced abroad.

Read more

 US encouraging Ukraine to commit new atrocities – Moscow

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also weighed in on the investigation. She stressed that “US citizens must know where their money is going,” and accused the Biden administration of making them “accessories to a bloody tragedy.”

President Vladimir Putin said previously that the plane had been downed by a US-made Patriot and called for an international investigation into the matter. However, he claimed there was no official organization willing to undertake the task. He also said he “does not understand” why Ukraine would want to kill dozens of its POWs, suggesting that it may have been an accident.

Ukrainian authorities have not directly confirmed responsibility for the attack, stating only that they were not informed by Moscow that they had to guarantee air security over Belgorod Region at the time. Russia insists that Kiev received all the relevant information.

While the tragedy initially cast doubt on the possibility of further prisoner exchanges, on Wednesday Russia and Ukraine conducted the largest POW swap to date. Each side turned over 195 service members.