Latest news with #U.S.DepartmentofDefense
Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Kim Jong Un Quietly Advances North Korea's Nuclear Program
North Korea has begun work on a new facility at its main nuclear complex, according to the head of the United Nations-backed atomic watchdog. The facility, which reportedly resembles a suspected enrichment plant just outside of the capital of Pyongyang, could eventually provide fissile material to expand the country's nuclear arsenal. North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to continue building his UN-sanctioned nuclear arsenal, citing the "grave threat" posed by the U.S. and its allies, according to the U.S. Director of National Intelligence. North Korea is estimated to have around 50 nuclear warheads and enough fissile material for as many as 90. Kim's emphasis on expanding this capability—along with frequent ballistic missile tests and the abandonment of reunification as a long-term goal—has driven inter-Korean tensions to their highest level in decades. Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in China and the U.S. Department of Defense with emailed requests for comment. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a June 9 statement that the agency is "monitoring" a new construction at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, located about 60 miles north of Pyongyang. The new building has features and dimensions closely resembling those of the Kangson site, a facility west of the capital long suspected to be a uranium enrichment plant believed to produce uranium-235, the fissile material essential for nuclear weapons. "The continuation and further development of the DPRK's (Democratic People's Republic of Korea's) nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable," Grossi said, using North Korea's official name. The report comes after news late last year that Kim Jong Un visited the Kangson facility. During the visit, he called for an increase in centrifuge production for weapons-grade material and warned against complacency, according to state media. In April, Grossi warned North Korea's progress on its nuclear agenda was "completely off the charts," with no effective way to monitor its activities. Attempts to stem the flow of materials that could aid Kim's nuclear program became even more problematic last year when Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of a panel of experts enforcing sanctions on North Korea. Jenny Town, director of the Stimson Center think tank's Korea Program and North Korea-focused analysis group 38 North, wrote for the Hudson Institute think tank: "Changing how the United States approaches its bilateral relationship with North Korea, not just the nuclear issue, will require enormous political capital, leadership, and resilience to criticism. "The nuclear issue will still need to be part of the discussion, but keeping it as the main determinant of relations will prolong the stalemate and worsen the security environment." U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned lawmakers in March that North Korea is "probably prepared" to conduct a seventh nuclear test on short notice. Members of President Donald Trump's team have reportedly discussed reopening dialogue with Kim, according to sources familiar with the discussions. During his first term, Trump met with Kim on three occasions in a failed bid to persuade the North Korean leader to walk back his nuclear weapons program. Related Articles Satellite Image Hints at North Korea's Biggest Military FactoryNorth Korea Airbrushes Commander From Photos After Warship FailKim Jong Un Doubles Down on Destroyers for North Korea's NavyNorth Korea Rejects Trump's Letter to Kim: Report 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
The Market Online
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Market Online
North America's lone cobalt refinery begins path to production
Electra Battery Materials (TSXV:ELBM) has initiated its early works program towards restarting North America's only cobalt refinery Electra is a critical minerals company focused on cobalt sulfate refining, nickel refining and battery recycling for the North American lithium-ion battery market Electra Battery Materials stock has given back 38.56 per cent year-over-year Electra Battery Materials (TSXV:ELBM) has initiated its early works program towards restarting North America's only cobalt refinery. The battery-grade facility, located north of Toronto, employs hydrometallurgical processing with a low-carbon focus, and could play a potentially meaningful role in onshoring North America's critical metals supply chain and increasing the continent's stake in the growing US$17 billion cobalt market, which is expected to post a 6.7 per cent compound annual growth rate through 2030. The early-works program, which will cost an estimated C$750,000, will focus primarily on the refinery's solvent extraction (SX) facility, including: Installing previously delivered processing equipment. Pouring reinforced concrete bases for extraction tanks. Finalizing roofing work. Concurrently, tender and engineering preparations are underway to streamline the path to full-scale construction. These activities follow a C$200,000 upgrade to the refinery's septic, power and lighting systems, as well as the recent delivery of a prefabricated electrical house. The restart is partially supported by US$20 million from the U.S. Department of Defense under the Defense Production Act, awarded in August 2024, in addition to funding from Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund. According to Thursday's news release, 'backed by strong government endorsements and the refinery already significantly advanced, Electra expects it will be able to finalize the balance of the financing required to move the refinery into production.' Leadership insights 'The early works program represents a critical step in transitioning the refinery site back to construction mode,' Mark Trevisiol, vice president of Projects at Electra Battery Materials, said in a statement. 'By focusing on key infrastructure, particularly in the SX area, we are ensuring the site is ready for a seamless ramp-up as soon as full funding is in place.' 'This project reflects our disciplined approach to advancing the refinery project,' commented Electra's chief financial officer, Marty Rendall. 'The early works program enables us to build critical infrastructure and maintain project momentum while we work to finalize the remaining elements of our funding package.' 'Our early works program is a clear signal: Electra is not standing still,' added Trent Mell, Electra's CEO. 'The early works program lays the physical and operational groundwork to accelerate into full construction. We are confident in our project and its strategic importance. Preparing for the final leg of construction is a reaffirmation of our commitment to delivering North America's only battery-grade cobalt refinery.' About Electra Battery Materials Electra is a critical minerals company focused on cobalt sulfate refining, nickel refining and battery recycling for the North American lithium-ion battery market. Electra Battery Materials stock (TSXV:ELBM) opened unchanged trading at C$1.45. The stock has given back 38.56 per cent year-over-year. Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying about this critical metals company on the Electra Battery Materials Corp. Bullboard and check out the rest of Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pentagon Hands OpenAI $200M to Supercharge War AI -- Is This the Next Palantir?
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, just secured a $200 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to prototype frontier AI systems for critical national security use cases. According to the Pentagon, the deal covers both warfighting and enterprise domains, with most of the work centered in Washington and running through July 2026. While this isn't OpenAI's first government partnership, it's their most significant by farbringing their tech deeper into defense, at a time when U.S. officials are actively reshaping procurement strategy to prioritize homegrown AI solutions. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 10 Warning Signs with SFTBF. The deal is the first major partnership under OpenAI for Government, the company's newly launched initiative to bring advanced AI tools like ChatGPT Enterprise and ChatGPT Gov to public sector agencies. The Defense pilot will explore AI applications ranging from proactive cyber defense to streamlining healthcare access for military families and analyzing acquisition data. These systems will be deployed in secure, policy-compliant environments, with customized support from OpenAI's team. Existing collaborationswith NASA, NIH, the Treasury, and national labsare also being pulled under this new umbrella, indicating a broader, more coordinated push into the federal AI stack. Momentum is building on the business side as well. OpenAI recently revealed its annualized revenue run rate has reached $10 billion, fueled by enterprise and institutional adoption. At the same time, it's exploring a $40 billion funding roundled by SoftBank (SFTBF)at a potential $300 billion valuation. The timing of this government expansion could give OpenAI a sticky, high-margin customer base in a regulated space with strong budget resilience. For investors watching the emerging AI platform race, this might be the clearest sign yet that OpenAI isn't just chasing consumer hypeit's quietly building the infrastructure layer for U.S. institutions. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Japan Today
a day ago
- Business
- Japan Today
OpenAI wins $200 mil contract with U.S. military
Sam Altman-led OpenAI winning its first contract from the US Department of Defense comes as big tech firms increasingly court the US military By Glenn CHAPMAN The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded OpenAI a $200 million contract to put generative artificial intelligence (AI) to work for the military. San Francisco-based OpenAI will "develop prototype frontier AI capabilities to address critical national security challenges in both warfighting and enterprise domains," according to the department's posting of awarded contracts. The program with the defense department is the first partnership under the startup's initiative to put AI to work in governments, according to OpenAI. OpenAI plans to show how cutting-edge AI can vastly improve administrative operations such as how service members get health care and also cyber defenses, the startup said in a post. All use of AI for the military will be consistent with OpenAI usage guidelines, according to the startup. Big tech companies are increasingly pitching their tools to the U.S. military, among them Meta, OpenAI and, more predictably, Palantir, the AI defense company founded by Peter Thiel, the conservative tech billionaire who has played a major role in Silicon Valley's rightward shift. OpenAI and defense tech startup Anduril Industries late last year announced a partnership to develop and deploy AI solutions "for security missions." The alliance brings together OpenAI models and Anduril's military tech platform to ramp up defenses against aerial drones and other "unmanned aircraft systems", according to the companies. "OpenAI builds AI to benefit as many people as possible, and supports U.S.-led efforts to ensure the technology upholds democratic values," OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said at the time. © 2025 AFP
Business Upturn
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Clear Align Awarded Significant Contract to Sustain U.S. Northern Border with Advanced US Built Surveillance Systems
Eagleville, PA, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Clear Align, a recognized leader in AI and network-enabled surveillance systems, has been awarded a contract to sustain surveillance capabilities along the U.S. northern border. The contract will deliver next-generation electro-optic systems designed to improve situational awareness and support national security in some of the most remote and demanding environments highlighting Clear Align as an emerging key player in U.S Border Technology. Two-decade journey from home equity startup to strategic defense contractor supporting 18 nations Clear Align, a privately-held infrared surveillance technology company, has established itself as a cornerstone provider of advanced border security systems for the United States and 17 allied nations, marking two decades of sustained double-digit growth in the competitive defense and homeland security sector. Founded with a modest home equity line of credit, Clear Align now operates over 100,000 square feet of manufacturing and engineering facilities across New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Florida, specializing in infrared and AI-enabled surveillance systems. Clear Align VZ 1200 autonomous border surveillance systems Strategic National Security Impact Clear Align's technology is currently deployed at both Northern and Southern U.S. borders, providing long-range detection and tracking capabilities for vehicles, individuals, and security threats in remote and hostile environments. The company's systems extend beyond border applications, with integration into military vehicles, weapons platforms, and aerospace payloads, including spaceborne surveillance assets. The U.S. Department of Defense recently identified Clear Align as a leader in counter-drone (C-UAS) technology, addressing the growing challenge posed by commercial and adversarial unmanned aerial systems. The company's solutions combine thermal imaging, radar, and command and control (C2) systems with AI-based threat classification to detect, track, and support mitigation of low-profile aerial threats, including operations in GPS-denied or low-visibility environments. Technical Capabilities and Manufacturing Clear Align's product portfolio includes thermal cameras capable of detecting threats at distances exceeding 50 miles, integrated with real-time edge processing capabilities. The company maintains fully U.S.-based, vertically integrated manufacturing—an increasingly rare advantage in a sector facing supply chain delays due to foreign dependency and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Real Time Edge Processing Identifies and Track Unmanned Systems at Long Range (C-UAS) The company has invested significantly in workforce development in its operating regions, focusing on training and retaining young engineers and technicians in high-skill positions, contributing to local economic development while strengthening national security capabilities. Industry Positioning Clear Align's growth trajectory reflects broader shifts in defense procurement and surveillance strategy toward smaller, adaptable companies capable of delivering precision systems on accelerated timelines without compromising quality or reliability. Rather than competing directly with large defense contractors, the company has maintained intense focus on delivering technically complex imaging systems that are integrated, field-ready, and designed for real-world operational conditions. As asymmetric threats continue to evolve, Clear Align's positioning in counter-drone technology and border surveillance places the company strategically for continued growth across both homeland and international security markets. About Clear Align Clear Align was founded by Angelique X. Irvin, a former Bell Labs engineer who recognized the growing national need for high-performance optical systems with accelerated development cycles and integrated hardware-software solutions. Under her leadership, the company has remained privately held and largely self-funded, enabling more decisive action compared to larger defense contractors. Over the past 20 years, Clear Align has strategically acquired five competitors, most notably the General Dynamics Mission Systems operation in Nashua, New Hampshire. These acquisitions have provided access to a portfolio of defense-hardened technologies and assembled a team of engineers with deep domain experience in military systems, optics, sensor fusion, and artificial intelligence. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
