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ALAMEDA, Calif. – Saildrone, the global leader in maritime autonomy, today announced that its Surveyor-class of unmanned surface vehicle (USV) has received full classification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). This milestone follows the Voyager, Saildrone's coastal and near-shore USV, which received ABS class in 2023.

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued full classification for the Saildrone Surveyor, a 20-meter USV capable of long-endurance missions in the open ocean, collecting deep-ocean bathymetry and performing a wide range of maritime domain awareness tasks—from anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to trans-ocean cable route surveys. This landmark achievement sets a new global benchmark for unmanned systems and highlights Saildrone's leadership in developing fully classed, open-ocean-capable USVs.

This landmark achievement sets a new global benchmark for unmanned systems and highlights Saildrone's leadership in developing fully classed, open-ocean-capable USVs.

While other platforms have received certificates or interim approvals under evolving unmanned vessel frameworks, no other USV or UUV has yet received full classification status from any classification society. ABS is the first to grant full class to an unmanned platform, marking a key milestone for the industry.

The classification notation assigned is ✠A1, DV Naval Craft, AUTONOMOUS (NAV, MNV, PRP, AUX, RO3), which follows the “Rules for Building and Classing Light Warships, Patrol, and High-Speed Naval Vessels (2023).”

“The ABS class certification is more than a certificate—it's a signal to governments and the maritime industry that Saildrone USVs are mature, safe, tested, and ready for scale,” said Richard Jenkins, Saildrone founder and CEO. “It's been a very large investment and a multi-year process to achieve ABS Class Certification, but we are proud to be the first company in the world to do so and proud that our systems have reached the highest standards as required by the ABS Class certificate.”

ABS class is an internationally recognized standard for safety, design integrity, and operational reliability. The classification process is a rigorous review and validation of a vessel's design, construction, and autonomous control systems. For unmanned platforms like the Saildrone Surveyor and Saildrone Voyager, this process includes autonomous control systems, cybersecure communications, structural integrity, and fail-safe redundancies, ensuring the vehicle can safely operate without crew, even in complex, unpredictable ocean conditions.

The 20-meter Surveyor is capable of long-endurance missions in the open ocean, collecting deep-ocean bathymetry and performing a wide range of maritime domain awareness tasks—from anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to trans-ocean cable route surveys. The 10-meter Voyager is designed for persistent surveillance in coastal and near-shore environments, complementing the Surveyor's blue-water capabilities. Both platforms are capable of fully autonomous operations with no humans on board and are remotely monitored 24/7 by Saildrone's global Mission Management team.

“ABS and Saildrone are pioneering new frontiers, setting the pace for innovation. This step forward is a result of our investments in ABS's technical capability and helping to ensure our Rules are able to support innovation with an unwavering focus on safety,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

Saildrone USVs are currently supporting missions around the world, including ocean mapping, border security, persistent ISR, and critical infrastructure security. With both its Surveyor and Voyager platforms fully classed by ABS, Saildrone is uniquely positioned to support the next generation of naval and commercial unmanned operations.

About Saildrone

Saildrone is a defense company delivering maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance products to military, homeland security, and commercial customers. Saildrone unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are extreme-endurance platforms equipped with advanced sensors and proprietary AI to provide persistent insights above and below the sea surface. Insights that support border security, law enforcement, undersea infrastructure protection, hydrography, and naval power applications. With more than 2,000,000 nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone USVs are trusted by governments across the planet and set the standard for cost-efficient maritime intelligence in the world's harshest environments.

Women across Australia, the United States (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) are having babies later in life, and a new international study warns that this shift brings rising health risks and widening inequalities in maternal care.

The review, led by researchers at Flinders University and published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, explores how pregnancy and birth have changed in Australia, the USA and UK over the past twenty years.

“One of the most noticeable shifts is that women are having babies later in life,” says lead author, Dr Anya Arthurs, from Flinders University.

“The average age of first-time mothers has steadily increased, with many now starting their families aged 35 years or over, reflecting broader societal changes including career priorities, financial pressures and improved access to contraception.”

Dr Arthurs explains that while older mothers are more likely to engage with prenatal care, they also face higher risks of complications.

“We’re seeing increased rates of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and caesarean sections among older mothers, which raises important questions about how maternity care systems are adapting,” she says.

The study also found that fertility rates are falling in all three countries, with birth rates now below the level needed to maintain population size without immigration. This decline is linked to economic factors, changing family structures and personal choices.

Despite the overall drop in births, the number of babies born to Indigenous and minority women is increasing, however these groups continue to face significant health disparities.

“Maternal mortality remains a serious concern, especially in the USA, where Black, Indigenous and Hispanic women are far more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth due to limited access to quality healthcare and systemic inequalities,” says Dr Arthurs.

Whilst maternal deaths are comparatively lower in Australia and the UK, there are troubling gaps in care for Indigenous women in Australia and migrant women in the UK, leading to worse outcomes.

The COVID-19 pandemic added further strain to maternity care systems and, in the UK, it became a leading cause of death among pregnant women caused by disruptions to prenatal services and hospital care, especially for women already facing disadvantage.

The review also found a rise in caesarean sections, particularly among older mothers and those giving birth in private hospitals, which may reflect personal choice or systemic factors rather than providing better clinical outcomes.

Gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy are also on the rise and more common among older mothers and certain ethnic groups, contributing to potentially concerning health issues for both mother and baby both in the short and long-term.

Dr Arthurs says that there are some encouraging tr

In 2024, the Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP) not only solidified its position as the country's leading tech hub – it also emerged as one of the key drivers of Moldova's economic growth. According to the latest annual report, MITP closed the year with impressive results and an ambitious forecast for 2025: the total revenue generated by park residents is expected to exceed €1 billion.

Record-Breaking Growth: The Numbers Speak for Themselves

• MITP is now home to 2,154 resident companies, up 33% compared to 2023.
• In 2024 alone, 686 new companies joined the Park, with 455 of them founded in the same year.
• This marks the largest expansion in MITP's seven-year history.

This rapid growth was driven not only by improved business conditions, but also by an expanded list of permitted business activities. Notably, as of February 2024, outsourcing and call center services aimed at export were legalized — attracting over 200 new companies to the sector.

Exports, Taxes, and Economic Impact

MITP plays a crucial role in Moldova's export economy and tax base:

88% of total sales from MITP resident companies are export-driven — meaning the MITP generates 26% of all country's service exports.
Total sales in 2024 reached 15.2 billion MDL, or approximately €770 million — a 21% increase over the previous year.
Residents contributed 1.5 billion MDL in taxes, 83% of which came from the single tax paid by residents.

For perspective: taxes paid by MITP residents is enough to cover 16% of the national healthcare expenditures and 90% of the national budget for higher education.

“This economic performance highlights the increasingly strategic role of the IT sector in the economic development of the Republic of Moldova, contributing 4.7% to the national GDP in 2024. The growth in the turnover of resident companies has a direct impact on increasing contributions to the Public Budget, confirming the efficiency and sustainability of the fiscal regime offered by MITP.

August 26 2025 – US stock futures continued their retreat on Tuesday after President Donald Trump removed Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from the central bank's board, an unprecedented act that is intensifying fears about the erosion of the Fed's independence.

Dow futures fell 64 points, or 0.14%. S&P 500 futures slipped 0.14% and Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 0.22%.

The ICE US Dollar Index shed 0.3% overnight immediately after Trump announced the decision on Truth Social.

Treasury yields moved lower, with the two-year yield – a gauge closely tied to Fed policy – down four basis points, while gold futures rose 0.3% as investors sought safety.

Nigel Green, CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group, says the combination of Trump's intervention and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's cautious approach at Jackson Hole is unnerving markets.

“Trump's decision to remove a sitting Fed governor has shaken confidence in the institution that underpins the world's financial system.

“Investors are reacting because the independence of the central bank is critical to market stability, and any sign of political capture raises alarm bells everywhere.”

He continues: “Powell had the chance last week at Jackson Hole to directly address these institutional concerns. He did not.

“Instead, he chose to focus narrowly on the near-term policy path.

“The silence on independence has left markets exposed, and investors are filling the vacuum with speculation. This speculation is highly damaging.”

The legality of the president's move is expected to face challenges, as Fed governors can only be removed 'for cause.'

But Nigel Green warns that the immediate financial-market impact is already underway.

“Whether or not the courts intervene, the optics alone are destabilizing.

“Trust in the Fed's independence is what supports the dollar, anchors global capital flows, and provides predictability for investors. When that trust is undermined, risk premiums rise across the board.”

The central bank is also facing internal strains. Inflation has run above the Fed's 2% target for four years, while recent data shows employment weakening.

Last month's policy meeting produced the first dual dissent from governors in over three decades, highlighting growing division.

The deVere CEO notes: “Markets can manage data uncertainty. What they cannot manage is institutional fragility. Powell presided over Jackson Hole with a platform to reaffirm that the Fed will resist political pressure.

He passed up that moment, and as a result, left it to his successor to steady the ship. The decision is already reverberating across equities, bonds, currencies, and commodities.”

The structure of the Fed board is now in flux. With Adriana Kugler's recent resignation leaving one vacancy, and Trump nominating Stephen Miran, the balance of power could soon shift.

If Cook's removal is upheld and Miran is confirmed, Trump would hold a 4–3 majority. Powell's own term expires in May, raising the possibility of further realignment.

“Investors are watching composition as closely as policy now,” says Nigel Green.

“The prospect of a Fed board dominated by presidential appointees unsettles global markets. It signals that political priorities, not economic fundamentals, could dictate monetary policy.

“This weakens confidence in the dollar's role as the world's reserve currency and fuels hedging into gold and other safe assets.”

He concludes: “Powell's reluctance to use Jackson Hole to defend the Fed's independence was a strategic misstep. At a time when the President is actively reshaping the board, markets needed a clear statement of institutional resolve.

“They didn't get it.

“The consequence is heightened volatility, greater uncertainty, and renewed scrutiny of the Fed's role as an independent guardian of monetary stability.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

 Revenue up 43.6% & Adjusted EBITDA up 19.3%

Intelligent Monitoring Group Limited (“IMG” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide the following update.

IMG has today released its Appendix 4E and Preliminary Full Year Report for the year ended 30 June 2025.

Results:

NEW YORK – Moody's Corporation (NYSE:MCO) announced today that it int

25 AUGUST 2025 – Equinor and partners have struck oil and gas in the Fram area, nine kilometres north of the Troll field in the North Sea.

One exploration well has encountered petroleum in two reservoirs. One of the discoveries consists of both oil and gas, while the other one is just gas. In total, the resources are estimated at between 0.1 and 1.1 million standard cubic metres. The reservoir properties are assessed as moderate to very good. The preliminary name of the discovery is F-South.

“These are discoveries in an interesting area with a well-developed infrastructure. In recent years, we have made several discoveries in the neighbourhood, and we plan to further explore the area. We believe that we may encounter more, both oil and gas,” says Geir Sørtveit, Equinor's senior vice president for Exploration & Production West on the Norwegian continental shelf.

The licensees will consider tying F-South back to existing or future infrastructure.

Facts:

The licensees are:

• Equinor Energy AS: 45%
• Vår Energi ASA: 40%
• INPEX Idemitsu Norge AS: 15%

• The well was drilled by COSL Innovator.
• The discoveries were made in exploration well 35/11-31 S in production licence 090.
• The other discoveries made in this area since 2019 are: Echino South, Swisher, Røver North, Blasto, Toppand, Kveikje, Røver South, Heisenberg, Crino/Mulder, Rhombi and Ringand.
• Echino South and Blasto, together with two smaller discoveries from previous years, form the basis for the development of Fram South. The plan for development and operation of this subsea development was submitted to the authorities in June this year.

25 AUGUST 2025 – The first CO₂ volumes have now been injected and successfully stored in the reservoir 2.600 meters under the seabed. The world’s first third party CO2 transport and storage facility is now in operation, contributing to reducing European greenhouse gas emissions.

The CO2 is transported via ships from Heidelberg Materials’ cement factory in Brevik. The CO2 is then offloaded and transported through a 100-kilometer pipeline and injected into the Aurora reservoir under the seabed of the North Sea.

“With CO2 safely stored below the seabed, we mark a major milestone. This demonstrates the viability of carbon capture, transport and storage as a scalable industry. With the support from the Norwegian government and in close collaboration with our partners, we have successfully transformed this project from concept to reality,” says CEO of Equinor, Anders Opedal.

The Northern Lights Joint Venture is equally owned by Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies. Equinor, as the Technical Service Provider (TSP), has been responsible for the construction of the Øygarden facility and the offshore facilities on behalf of the Northern Lights JV, and will also have operational responsibility of the CO2 plant.

“Lifting new value chains like CO2 capture, transport and storage requires collaboration and effort across the value chain – from governments, industry and customers. With Northern Lights in operation, we have proven that this is possible. Now, we look forward to leading safe and efficient operations on behalf of the Northern Lights partnership and use this as a stepping stone for the further development of CCS in Europe,” says Irene Rummelhoff, Executive Vice President of MMP in Equinor.

The commenced injection of CO2 completes the phase 1 of the development, which has a total capacity of 1.5 million tonnes of CO2per year (mtpa). The capacity of this phase is fully booked.

In March, the owners of Northern Lights made the final investment decision for the phase 2 of the development, which will increase transport and storage capacity to a minimum of 5 million tonnes of CO2per year. This decision was made possible after signing of an agreement to transport and store up to 900,000 tonnes CO2 annually from Stockholm Exergi. The expansion is enabled by a grant from the Connecting Europe Facility for Energy (CEF Energy) funding scheme.

The expansion of Northern Lights builds on existing infrastructure and includes additional onshore storage tanks, a new jetty, and additional injection wells. The development of phase 2 with Equinor as TSP is well underway, with the delivery of nine new CO2 storage tanks at the Øygarden site this summer.

Equinor is already one of the largest CCS developers worldwide and has an ambition of having 30-50 million tonnes per annum of CO2 transport and storage capacity by 2035. To achieve this, Equinor is working on several CCS projects in Europe and the US. These projects require a conducive policy framework and collaboration between governments, industry, customers and regulators.

About Northern Lights

• Northern Lights JV is a registered, incorporated General Partnership with Shared Liability (DA), equally owned by Equinor, TotalEnergies and Shell.
• The first phase of Northern Lights is part of Longship, the Norwegian Government’s full-scale carbon capture and storage project. Northern Lights is focusing on the transport and storage aspects of the value chain. Captured and liquefied CO2 from customer’s sites is transported by ship to the onshore receiving terminal at Øygarden.
• From the terminal, CO2 is transported via pipeline to a storage in a reservoir 2,600 meters under the seabed in the North Sea.
• The Norwegian government is providing substantial financial support, covering approximately 80% of the cost for the phase 1 of the Northern Lights project.
• The Phase 2 expansion of Northern Lights received €131 million from the EU funding programme Connecting Europe Facility for Energy (CEF Energy) in June 2024.
• The Northern Lights facility includes a receiving terminal, an injection pipeline and subsea installations.
• Equinor as the Technical Service Provider (TSP has led the construction of the onshore plant at Øygarden and the offshore facilities on behalf of Northern Lights JV and its partners. Equinor will also have operational responsibility for the CO2 plant at Øygarden.