Latest news with #HPM
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Houston Public Media faces future without federal funding
Houston Public Media says that any loss of federal funding could affect its ability to continue delivering local news and information to Houstonians. Why it matters: HPM reaches more than 2.7 million people each month across its television, radio and digital platforms. Catch up quick: Congress on Friday voted to cut nearly $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) through 2026 and 2027, marking a devastating blow for PBS and NPR. Zoom in: For HPM — which operates NPR affiliate KUHF (88.7 FM) and PBS station KUHT (Channel 8) — federal funds make up $2.2 million annually, or nearly 10% of its yearly operating budget, per the organization. In response, the organization has launched the Resiliency Fund, a $4.4 million campaign to offset the losses over the next two years. The fund aims to safeguard the station's services, including local journalism, educational programming and emergency broadcast alerts. What they're saying:"Public media was created to serve communities first, and that hasn't changed," Lynne Cook, HPM's chief development officer, said in the fund announcement. "Whether it's early education content, live storm coverage or reporting on your local school board, the real impact of these cuts will be felt all across our region. We're asking the community to help preserve something they already own." The organization notes it "has always operated leanly," relying on a mix of community donations, underwriting and federal funding. Popular programming — such as "Morning Edition" and "Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!" on the radio, and "NOVA" and "Party Politics" on TV — is costly to license and produce, HPM says. Zoom out: For some vulnerable NPR affiliate stations, CPB funding can make up to 50% of their total budget. Without CPB funding, PBS estimates that roughly 15% of its stations will be unable to operate. The intrigue: While Republicans have made some efforts to defund public media in the past, support for NPR and PBS has historically been considered nonpartisan. The big picture: The cuts are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to strip funding from public broadcasters.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Army Puts $43M Bet On Next Gen Leonidas High Power Microwave Counter Drone Tech
Today, high power microwave (HPM) system maker Epirus announced it has received a $43,551,060 contract from the U.S. Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) for delivery of two of its new advanced Generation II Leonidas HPM air defense systems along with associated equipment and spares for test events, with options for additional tests, components and support. The Leonidas systems are being built now. The first is expected to be completed by the end of July and the second by the end of August, Eprius' CEO Andy Lowery revealed at a media roundtable attended by TWZ at the company's Washington, D.C., offices last week. A third system will be finished by late September. The Army formally refers to the Leonidas HPM system as the 'Integrated Fires Protection Capability High-Power Microwave' (IFPC-HPM) system. IFPC-HPM is intended for the critical low-altitude air defense (LAAD) role, defending installations, platforms, and formations. Leonidas is largely aimed at defeating unmanned aircraft, including swarms of drones. It could also potentially be employed against more traditional aircraft, as well as low-flying cruise missiles, and robotic threats on the ground or on the water. Epirus describes IFPC-HPM as an effective, cost-efficient electromagnetic interference system with a 'one-to-many' capability to disrupt the electronics of multiple drones simultaneously. It does so by transmitting long-pulse microwave energy across multiple frequency bands, which overloads the electrical systems of drones that fly into the electromagnetic field it creates. In view of the recent success of so-called 'Trojan Horse' drone attacks inside Russia by Ukraine and inside Iran by Israel, the Army and DoD writ large are eager to acquire defenses against pop-up swarms. These groups of drones could threaten U.S. bases, sensors, ships, ports, communications, and wider military/civilian infrastructure abroad and here at home. The Leonidas IFPC-HPM is part of a product line that also includes Leonidas Mobile, which features the company's HPM array integrated atop a Stryker vehicle system; Leonidas H₂O, a marinized system designed for counter-unmanned surface vessel and maritime counter-swarm; Leonidas Pod, a UAS-borne system for electronic attack; and an Expeditionary Directed Energy Counter-Swarm system for forward-deployed defense for the Marine Corps, which TWZ covered earlier this year. The Generation II (GEN II) systems that the RCCTO is acquiring build on the design of the first version of Leonidas. They also benefit from user feedback from the deployment of four GEN I system prototypes to the Middle East in 2024 and to the Indo-Pacific earlier this Spring. The Army plans to test two of the GEN II systems at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California in October. The tests will assess their cooperative fires capability and other engineering metrics. Epirus' CEO told the roundtable that, in his view, the tests will be 'a defining moment' for the company. If the systems perform as expected, formal Army acquisition should follow. Success with the Army would kickstart demand for IFPC-HPM and the other Leonidas-based systems in at least three emerging markets, according to Lowery. The first is the basic overseas LAAD requirement that the Army seeks to fill. Lowery calls this the 'Tower 22' scenario, a reference to a drone attack launched by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq that struck Tower 22, a U.S. military outpost in Rukban, northeast Jordan, in January 2024. The attack killed three U.S. soldiers and injured 47 others. If an Epirus system had been in place and properly engaged, the American losses would have been prevented, Lowery maintains. He also cites the recent Israeli success in disrupting Iranian air defenses by attacking from within Iran with drones and loitering munitions as another demand driver in the overseas market, particularly in the Middle East. 'I think that's one of the most urgent applications of our system – get to those Patriot [surface-to-air missile system] sites in CENTCOM [the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility] and put Leonidas next to every one of those sites.' Homeland defense represents a second market. Lowery opines that IFPC-HPM and other Epirus systems could logically be part of the layered homeland air defense envisioned in the Trump administration's Golden Dome initiative. Noting potential threats associated with the upcoming World Cup soccer series, which U.S. cities will host next June-July, he suggests there is a need for in-place HPM systems near the match venues and at the U.S. southern border. Lowery also noted a recent meeting he had with Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Lt. General Adrian Spain, who expressed the service's urgent requirement for 'point defense' for Air Force bases and flightlines. TWZ has extensively elaborated on the risks of drone attacks to USAF bases at home and abroad for years. As a result of the threat and the meeting, Lowery said that he thinks the Air Force is likely to begin leasing IFPC-HPM systems in 2026. Possible acquisitions by the Marines (ExDECS, Leonidas POD) and the Navy may follow upcoming demonstrations for both services. The third market is in foreign military sales, spurred by developments in Ukraine and the Middle East. Lowery also noted the AUKUS Pillar II agreement, which has led to Epirus' participation in Australia's Project LAND 156, aimed at neutralizing small drones (up to 25kg) on the battlefield. Eprius' CEO says the company is 'fairly confident' that it will be chosen as a supplier for the non-kinetic effector portion of the program. AUKUS is a trilateral Australia-United Kingdom-United States defense cooperation agreement. Momentum for the sale of the latest version of the system is highly positive, Lowery told the roundtable. He added that the Army was 'extremely happy' with the two previous experimental deployments of IFPC-HPM I systems in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. He characterized Eprius' discussions with the Army and DoD not as a question of whether they wish to move forward. 'The question becomes, what do we move forward with?,' he said. Today, Eprius could produce 20 IFPC-HPM II systems per year at its Torrance, California, facility with relative comfort, Lowery says, and may be able to stretch to 30 if required. With a view to potential demand, the company is assessing additional production in proximity to the Army's Joint Counter-Small UAS University and Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Prior to potential production, nailing down specific requirements, including maintenance, a curriculum for training, the deployed number of operators per system, and more, must be finalized with the Army. Ensuring that IFPC-HPM II meets range expectations as part of a layered LAAD system is vital as well. Lowery confirms that the Army has defined a region called 'Final Protective Fires,' which has a one-kilometer radius and a 600-foot altitude. 'That's the layer that IFPC HPM is designed to go into.' As TWZ has previously noted, radio frequency directed-energy weapons offer notable advantages over 'soft-kill' options, like electronic warfare jammers, given that they can also bring down drones that are operating autonomously, or those using fiber-optic-cable guidance, by disrupting their onboard electronics. However, Andy Lowery stressed that Epirus does not view Leonidas simply as a directed energy or HPM system. He makes a point of referring to it as 'weaponized electromagnetic interference.' Lowery explained that when Epirus began development in 2018, it was initially envisioned as a phased array version of a THOR-type (Tactical High-power Operational Responder) system. But after further developing IFPC-HPM GEN I, the company realized that Leonidas wasn't operating anything like THOR. Leonidas, he says, doesn't destroy drones by narrowly targeting and overloading their capacitors like THOR. Lowery compares THOR to a 'death ray.' Leonidas, he explains, generates a very intense electromagnetic interference field (EIF). The EIF formed by the system creates a dome or umbrella, which stretches out to what the Army calls 'tactically relevant range' around the transmitter and up to about 600 feet above ground at its apex. It does not target specific drones or even swarms. Instead, drones fly into the EIF on their way to their targets. IFPC-HPM does this by extending an electromagnetic field through large periods of time. Traditional HPM puts out a massively powerful pulse for about 10 nanoseconds – shorter than the distance between one computer clock pulse and the next clock pulse – Lowery says. Leonidas' HPM pulse extends to a millisecond, longer than even radars. 'Imagine, a thousand clock cycles might be in that millisecond. The whole time that electromagnetic energy is just hitting and hitting that [target], confusing it to the point where the system shuts down. That's how the [Leonidas system] works.' Along with illustrating how Epirus' HPM concept works, Lowery made what should be considered a noteworthy claim: 'We found that electromagnetic interference can be smart… It can figure out pathways into hardened areas if you get the carrier frequency pulses right. If everything is dialed in right, you can even penetrate what you might think to be a hardened, non-susceptible drone.' The ability to disrupt and down even electromagnetically shielded drones (or ground robots, uncrewed surface vessels, etc.) would present U.S. adversaries with a steep challenge if IFPC-HPM-type systems proliferate. In simple terms, the system consists of a phased-array antenna, supporting computer processing equipment, command-control links, a user interface, a trailer, and a transmitter. The heart of the transmitter consists of Line Replaceable Amplifier Modules (LRAMs), rectangular boxes which can scale in number to meet size, weight, and power requirements or desired range output. The IFPC-HPM has about 150 LRAMs. Lowery explains that most of the system's high-value electronics are in the LRAMs. Upgrades would be sent primarily to these modules as well. As a rule of thumb, the system's size and range scale linearly with the number of LRAMs. For example, a 10 LRAM system would have ten times less range than a 100-element system. In remarks to the roundtable, Lowery put the range of IFPC-HPM GEN I at about one kilometer. The GEN II version of the system increases the range to somewhere around 2 kilometers (1.25 miles). Expanding on the theme, he gave an intriguing example when discussing the scalability and range. If increased range were desired, Epirus could make a '25 LRAM by 25 LRAM' system, which would total 625 elements. Such a system, he said, would 'give you at least six or seven kilometers of range.' Lowery quickly added that 'this is all theoretical' and that Epirus is not selling any 625-element systems today. Leonidas' scalability aligns with cost, as well. According to Lowery, LRAMs represent 65% of the cost of IFPC-HPM, with the remaining 35% sunk into other equipment, including the antenna's metal columns, trailer, positioner, and other ingredients mentioned above. The open architecture and modularity of the system – from its LRAM complement to its phased array modules – make continuous software-defined improvement and upgrades possible. Given that its modules fail individually, IFPC-HPM can still function when one or more are lost, and failed modules can be easily replaced. This means that a buyer does not need to buy two Leonidas systems (primary and backup) to support 99% mission availability. With replacement modules on hand, field maintenance should be relatively straightforward. All of the above give it a sustainment cost much lower than traditional HPM or other directed energy systems, Lowery argues, putting the purchase price 'between $10 and $20 million' per system. 'We think Leonidas is very reasonably costed. We didn't build this with exquisite parts and gold-plated apertures.' Epirus began re-engineering IFPC-HPM in 2022, in accordance with the Army's desire for improved performance. 'Although [GEN I and GEN II] do the exact same thing, they are completely different,' Lowery adds. The new system produces 30% more power, can transmit continuously for much longer, and emits more heavy-duty pulses and cycles. It also exploits all the different cardinal signal polarizations, a capability that GEN I did not have. (Full signal polarization capability enables transmission of specially filtered waves.) 'We anticipate the range to be 2.5 times the range [of Gen 1] in the same size package,' Lowery affirmed. The changes, including increased peak power, called for a redesigned power supply structure, which now includes 800 pounds of lithium-poly batteries. The increased energy storage means that IFPC-HPM II can operate without any external power for up to 30 minutes of firing. Given that a typical engagement with one drone might take 4 seconds, Lowery says a 30-minute run with GEN II could take out many, many drones or guard against wave attacks. In the field or at a base, operators can choose whether they plug in a 70 kW generator and go for continuous use or employ a 20kW generator to periodically charge the system batteries like charging a Tesla. With GEN II also comes the ability to connect a pair of IFPC-HPM systems and fire them cooperatively. They would effectively operate as one, Lowery says, with a 2X linear increase in power and range. As noted, the cooperative fires capability will be tested at China Lake. It's ironic, if predictable, that the capability that IFPC-HPM has apparently demonstrated is also a vulnerability. In response to a question about the system's electronic signature and its high value as a target, Lowery admitted. 'I have a lot of concerns about that. When the system is dormant or in standby, there's no signature, no radiation, maybe a little heat signature. There isn't a lot to target off of other than its metal and physical size.' 'But if you transmitted with our system in Kyiv, they would be able to detect it in St. Petersburg. If they had a direction-finder, they'd be able to say, 'Hey, we had something 1,000 miles away just go off in the L-band.' It puts out a massive amount of energy, more electromagnetic interference energy than any other system in the world.' Given that IFPC-HPM II will be 'as bright as the sun' when transmitting, the Army will have to develop a concept of operations for use at the combat edge to ensure survivability in the face of adversary attempts to wipe it out. Lowery says the service may develop 'shoot-and-scoot' tactics, lighting IFPC-HPM up briefly to down drone or other threats, then immediately moving to another location to make the system harder to target by missile. Other attack risks, like drones dropping in from high altitude at high trajectories, will have to be considered, as well. Lowery says that Leonidas was 'born to be mobile' and that the IFPC-HPM system can go from a stowed position to a cold-start to up and firing in 'between 15 and 20 minutes.' Epirus will have integration efforts for its various Leonidas-based offerings on multiple vehicles early next year, with a nod to increasing their survivability and expanding their range by making them mobile. The sort of cat-and-mouse game that will play out with systems like IFPC-HPM is one that Lowery says has pervaded his career. Over the course of it, he has come to the realization that war is already being fought in a '6th domain' which joins air, land, sea, space, and cyber. He calls the new domain 'physical cyber'. 'The 6th domain war is a war of guerrilla robots, guerrilla warfare leveraging robots, autonomy, Qualcomm Snapdragon, and Nvidia processors.' Ukraine, Israel, and Russia all now have service branches dedicated to drone warfare, Lowery notes. The U.S. military does not. But with the acquisition of IFPC-HPM and other counter-drone systems seemingly on the horizon, the possibility that America may stand up a dedicated robotic warfare service branch has increased. Lowery asserts that if the U.S. military does not adopt such systems and a 6th domain mentality quickly, it will lose. Contact the editor: Tyler@ Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
CEO Spotlight: American Rebel's Andy Ross on Turning Patriotism into a Breakout Product
An Executive Q&A with American Rebel CEO Andy Ross, presented by Hawk Point Media As consumer habits shift and cultural identity becomes a driving force in brand loyalty, one company is proving that values sell. And they sell fast. American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:AREB) launched its flagship beverage, Rebel Light Beer, less than a year ago and is already racing up the ranks in retail distribution, digital sales, and cultural relevance. Positioned as 'America's Patriotic Brand™,' the company has successfully fused lifestyle branding, motorsports marketing, and e-commerce momentum into a product that's gaining national traction from both beer drinkers and brand believers. With retail presence in Total Wine & More, Minuteman Food Marts, major entertainment venues across the Southeast, and a digital footprint now shipping to over 40 states, American Rebel is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about emerging beer brands in the country. Rebel Light beer is no ordinary entry into a crowded market. It was launched with intention and momentum, backed by a loyal fan base and a clear identity: patriotic, all-American, and fiercely independent. Plastered right on the can is a slogan that says it all: 'America's Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.' We sat down with American Rebel CEO Andy Ross to talk about the explosive rise of Rebel Light, what fueled its July 4th surge, and what comes next. HPM: Andy, Rebel Light has gone from launch to national attention seemingly overnight. What's fueling this momentum? AR: It's the people, man. That's where it starts and ends. We didn't create Rebel Light in a boardroom. This beer was born in the heart of America-at racetracks, hunting camps, backyard barbecues, and concerts. What we tapped into wasn't just a product opportunity-it was a cultural pulse. People are craving something that feels like it speaks for them. And Rebel Light's doing that loud and clear. We intentionally took a big swing combining all-natural brewing, a bold patriotic message, and a lifestyle built around faith, freedom, and family. Turns out, that's not niche-that's mainstream America. And the numbers prove it. We've gone from concept to multi-state retail presence in under a year, landed some of the biggest distributors in the country, and shipped beer to over 40 states. That doesn't happen unless you've hit a nerve-and we hit it in the best way. HPM: You've said this isn't just about beer-it's about a movement. What does that mean to you? AR: It means we're not just selling liquid in a can-we're offering people a way to raise their glass to something they believe in. In a world full of generic brands trying to play both sides, we planted a flag. We said, 'Here we are. This is who we are. And we're proud of it.' And people didn't just notice-they rallied. They're wearing the shirts, showing up to the events, tagging us online with their cans raised high. They're not just customers-they're part of the family now. That's brand loyalty that can't be faked or bought. It's real. And it's why I think American Rebel is one of the most undervalued consumer lifestyle stocks out there. We're not building a beer company-we're building America's next household name. HPM: That's apparent. According to your recent company release, Rebel Light's digital sales just skyrocketed. What happened? AR: It was a mix of timing, tech, and truth. We always knew we had a great product and a message that resonated. But we later recognized the need to smooth out the path between discovery and delivery. So we brought in e-comm experts, rebuilt our checkout flow, introduced flat-rate shipping, and then, for July 4th, rolled out a free shipping promo. And boom. Our website traffic jumped 4500%. Orders up 1000%. Bulk orders-48-packs-skyrocketed. And best of all? Repeat purchases climbed 72%. That tells you we're not just drawing attention-we're earning loyalty. Now we're using that data to refine targeting, retarget lapsed customers, and convert brand fans into brand evangelists. For investors, that's a big deal. We're not just a consumer products group company- we're becoming a performance marketing machine with real-time feedback loops driving demand. That kind of leverage matters. HPM: What's the retail strategy going forward? You've landed some key store partnerships. AR: We're doubling down on regional dominance and channel diversity. We just locked in 62 Minuteman Food Marts across the Carolinas, a huge beer market with a deeply patriotic customer base. We're in Total Wine & More, which gives us a premium footprint in key states. And we're building relationships with independents and national chains at the same time. The bigger goal is coverage and conversion. That means driving awareness through events and media, then giving customers easy local access to the product. The FOX campaign rolling out this summer is going to pour gas on that fire. And with our manufacturing partners like City Brewing and AlcSource, we can scale fast without sacrificing quality. That's what big brands are built on-capacity plus culture. We've got both. HPM: Nashville seems to be a big part of the Rebel Light story. Why there? AR: Because Nashville is American Rebel. It's where my music career started. It's where we launched the brand with a packed house at Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk. It's where tourists from around the country pour into every weekend, looking for a taste of what this country is all about. And now they're getting it in a can. Rebel Light is being poured in every bar on Broadway-from Tootsies to Redneck Riviera to Whiskey Bent. It's not just product placement, it's cultural integration. And the feedback is real. Tourists ask where they can buy it back home. Bartenders say it outsells the other lights. And that Nashville momentum is rippling out into national distribution. For us, Nashville is the ignition switch that turned this race car of a business on, and the pace car has left the track. HPM: Speaking of racing, how has motorsports played into Rebel Light's growth? AR: Motorsports is the ignition switch that put our brand into overdrive. These fans aren't casual-they're loyal. And they're ours. We've sponsored NHRA events, plastered Rebel Light all over the Tony Stewart Racing cars, and performed live at national races. That's not just sponsorship-that's embedding the brand into people's weekends, memories, and Instagram feeds. At the Charlotte Motor Speedway, we were the #1 selling beer. Let that sink in. In a venue full of the biggest names in beer, fans chose Rebel Light. And when you combine that kind of demand with national distributors in attendance, it opens doors fast. Racing has put our brand in front of millions, and our team is turning that visibility into shelf space. HPM: With this kind of growth, where do you see American Rebel headed in the next 12 months? AR: I see a much bigger brand. I can support that projection knowing we laid the right kind of foundation, proven the demand, and secured the partnerships to drive our shelf presence. Now it's about expansion- geographically, vertically, and emotionally. Geographically, we want to be in every state. Vertically, we're already expanding into merchandise, digital media, and new product lines. And emotionally, we're anchoring ourselves as the lifestyle brand for patriotic Americans. Think beer, grills, coolers, tailgate gear, tools-you name it. If it's red, white, and built to last, it should say American Rebel on it. Let me say something to investors, too. Because you don't need to drink alcohol to be part of the American Rebel family. In the consumer space right now, we're one of the few small caps with a real brand narrative, real growth, and real cultural relevance. This isn't a trend. This is a generational brand in the making. So yeah-I'd say keep your eye on AREB. We're building something big, and the American people are building it with us. HPM: Final thoughts? What do you want people-investors, consumers, or even skeptics-to take away from the Rebel Light story? AR: Look, it's simple: This brand was built in the trenches, not the lab. From music stages to race tracks to the backroads of America, we've built something that reflects the soul of this country. People are tired of being sold to by companies that don't share their values. Rebel Light is different. It's honest. It's proud. It's real. And for the investors out there-this isn't just a beer play. It's not just lifestyle. It's a convergence of culture, commerce, and community. It's rare. And it's working. Every case sold, every bar that signs on, every new state we enter-that's momentum. That's market validation. As for the skeptics, keep it coming. We still love you and more importantly, you make us work even harder. We're not chasing the American dream. We're canning it. And I can promise you this: We're only just beginning. (Published with permission from Hawk Point Media Group, Llc.) About American Rebel Light Beer American Rebel Light is more than just a beer – it's a celebration of freedom, passion, and quality. Brewed with care and precision, our light beer delivers a refreshing taste that's perfect for every occasion. Since its launch in September 2024, American Rebel Light Beer has rolled out in Tennessee, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Indiana and Virginia and is adding new distributors and territories regularly. For more information about the launch events and the availability of American Rebel Beer, please visit or follow us on our social media platforms (@americanrebelbeer). American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It's all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers. For more information about American Rebel Light Beer follow us on social media @AmericanRebelBeer. For more information, visit . About American Rebel Holdings, Inc. American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit . For investor information, visit . Watch the American Rebel Story as told by our CEO Andy Ross visit The American Rebel Story Media Inquiries: Matt Sheldon Matt@ 917-280-7329 American Rebel Holdings, Inc. info@ ir@ American Rebel Beverages, LLC Todd Porter, President tporter@ Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the 'Company,' 'American Rebel,' 'we,' 'our' or 'us') desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words 'forecasts' 'believe,' 'may,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'should,' 'plan,' 'could,' 'target,' 'potential,' 'is likely,' 'expect' and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of our continued sponsorship of high profile events, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. SOURCE: American Rebel Holdings, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major Amazon move for millions of Aussies following $7.7 billion boom: ‘Immediate savings'
Amazon Australia is set to increase its dominance in the Australian retail sector, with the online giant announcing the launch of Amazon Business today. Amazon claimed the move would offer 'immediate savings' for businesses, who will be able to access millions of products. Amazon Business was first launched in the United States a decade ago and has since expanded to 11 countries, now including Australia, with more than eight million customers worldwide. Amazon Business Australia country manager Lena Zak told Yahoo Finance there was a gap in the market for the service Down Under. 'I really don't think that anybody else can offer what we offer. We have millions of products on Amazon that really aren't available anywhere else,' she said. RELATED Major Coles move to take on Chemist Warehouse, Bunnings, Amazon after $400 million loss Rare $1 coin worth 10 times more due to 'unfortunate' detail Woolworths shopper reveals little-known price tag trick The new business-to-business store will offer the same wide selection of products and quick delivery that existing Amazon customers will be used to. Plus, there will be new business-specific features like business-only pricing and quantity discounts. Zak said one of the big drawcards for businesses was the fact that they could do all their shopping in one place, whether that's for office products, electronics, furniture or other items. 'Business customers are often shopping for office supplies and we absolutely have those. But business customers can [also] be tradies looking for tools or boots,' she said. 'They can be something like a daycare looking for stationery, printers and printer cartridges, but also the pantry items, the coffee pods and cleaning products, and at the same time nappies, formula and toys. 'We offer all of that on Amazon Business, and without us they would need to maybe visit multiple stores to get all of that.' It comes as new data from YouGov commissioned by Amazon Australia, found the cost of doing business had increased for 92 per cent of Australian small and medium businesses over the last three years. Rising operating costs were the biggest concern for 79 per cent, with the cost of goods and products being a main driver of cost increases across businesses. 'We really believe that as operating costs keep rising, Amazon Business can help take some of that pressure off by offering real savings on everyday goods and supplies, but most importantly the convenience and simplicity of our business store and fast delivery options,' Zak said. Zak said savings would vary depending on the product in question, but gave the example of a HPM Standard 4 Outlet Powerboard being sold for $5.25. The same product is available at Officeworks for $7. Meanwhile, a 1 kilogram bag of DeLonghi signature blend coffee beans is available for $26.64 on Amazon Business. This is lower than the $29 price on offer online at The Good Guys and JB Hi-Fi. Amazon has increasingly been staking its dominance in Australia's e-commerce sector. It launched its Australian retail store in 2017 and has invested around $15 billion locally since 2011. It recorded local revenues of $7.7 billion last year, up by around a fifth, according to accounts lodged with the corporate regulator. Revenues from its e-commerce business rose 23 per cent to $3.8 billion in the 12 months to December. Its Prime subscription program, which gives subscribers access to same-day delivery and streaming, had revenues of $480.4 million, which was a 39 per cent rise. Goldman Sachs analysis in December found Amazon was the second-largest online retailer in the country by retail sales after Woolworths but ahead of Coles, Officeworks and JB Hi-Fi among others. The supermarket giants have said Amazon is one of their biggest rivals, with Woolworths chief executive Amanda Bardwell noting the retailer now covers about 40 per cent of its range in grocery, household and personal care products. Coles chief executive Leah Weckert, meanwhile, noted Amazon could be "quite disruptive" to its business model. Last year, Roy Morgan research found Amazon Australia had a 7.9 million strong customer base, with 1.1 million people added in the 12 months to June, in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
New Paper
06-05-2025
- New Paper
SMRT Trains fined $240,000 over accident that killed technical officer
Rail operator SMRT Trains was fined $240,000 on May 5 over an accident at Bishan Depot in March 2020 that killed one of its technical officers. The company was convicted of an offence under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, as it had failed to take reasonable measures to ensure its employees' safety at the depot in Bishan Road. On March 23, 2020, Mr Muhammad Afiq Senawi, 30, and a colleague were using a hydraulic press machine (HPM) to replace some train-related components. Mr Afiq had placed a component into the machine, and activated the piston to carry out the task. However, he had failed to remove a similar older component. Due to a pressure build-up, a spacer rod that weighed nearly 3kg flew out of the machine, broke through the fencing gate near the machine, and struck his face. Mr Afiq was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he died of face and chest injuries at 10.15am that day. Coroner Christopher Goh later ruled his death to be an unfortunate misadventure. Among other things, an investigation later revealed that SMRT Trains had failed to install a pressure gauge for the HPM after dismantling it for repairs. On May 5, Ministry of Manpower prosecutor Kimberly Boo told the court that the spacer rod had not been secured to any other component, adding: "There was thus a hazard of the spacer rod displacing from its position and shooting out during operations." She also said that a maintenance work record dated June 11, 2018, stated that the hydraulic pressure gauge was damaged. As a result, there was no indication of the pressure of the HPM available when it was in operation. The damage was reported to an engineering maintenance manager, who instructed for the gauge to be dismantled. However, he later overlooked its reinstallation. Another work record dated Dec 16 that year stated that the pressure gauge was sent for calibration. Court documents stated that the most recent maintenance of the HPM prior to the tragedy was carried out on Jan 2, 2020. The gauge was still not installed then. Ms Boo said: "(SMRT Trains) had failed to ensure that a pressure gauge, which was a safety measure identified in the HPM operation manual, was installed for the HPM. Once the activating lever was pulled by the operator, the piston would continually move downwards to generate a downward push motion. "Even though HPM operators were not required to monitor the exact pressure involved in the operation, the presence of a pressure gauge would provide an indication to operators on whether the force applied in any installation or removal had increased disproportionately." SMRT Trains had also failed to limit the pressure setting of the HPM, which would reduce operators' exposure to a force far beyond what was necessary for its intended use, thus lowering the risks of harm the operators are exposed to. SMRT Trains was charged in court in 2023.
