Latest news with #OmarSaleh
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
You can't fly sovereignty on foreign fuel
Omar Saleh is the chief operating officer at North Vector Dynamics. This week, China slapped a 75.8-per-cent preliminary anti-dumping duty on Canadian canola, threatening $5-billion a year in exports and putting the Prairie agricultural economy squarely in the crosshairs. Yet in this crisis lies an opportunity. The same crop now caught in a trade war could also be the key to fixing one of our biggest national security vulnerabilities. Canola has quietly become one of the most credible feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – chemically identical to conventional jet fuel, yet with up to 90 per cent lower life-cycle emissions. It's a drop-in fuel – usable in current engines, aircraft and refuelling systems with no modifications. The U.S. Air Force flies on it. Lufthansa uses it regularly. NATO is preparing to deploy it. Canada isn't. We have committed to spending $38.6-billion on North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) modernization and Arctic deployments – without securing the fuel to support them. No strategic reserve. No domestic supply chain. No plan. Poilievre urges Ottawa to cancel BC Ferries loan in response to Chinese canola tariffs At Canada's most remote base, CFS Alert, it takes seven litres of fuel to deliver just one usable litre. In a crisis, that's a logistics choke point an adversary wouldn't even need to attack – just wait for the supply chain to strain and watch operations slow. This isn't a technical gap. It's industrial abdication. Canada has the tools to lead. New high-oil varieties can grow on Class 4 marginal lands – millions of acres across Saskatchewan and Alberta that aren't used currently for food crops. That means no pressure on food systems, and no need to convert premium farmland. That shift wasn't driven by marketing – it was earned through hard science, better crop genetics and proven refining results. What's more, Canada has a real shot at global leadership not only because of what we grow, but also what we can store. Alberta already has one of the most advanced carbon-capture networks in North America. Facilities such as Quest, and the provincewide trunk line that supports it, are exactly what will separate low-carbon SAF from the ultralow-carbon SAF needed to win international contracts. That infrastructure is already there. Put it together and the Prairies don't just have the feedstock. They have the land, the logistics, the refining and the emissions solution. No other country has all five. So why are we still acting like this is someone else's opportunity? The European Union and Britain are mandating SAF blending – 2 per cent by 2025, climbing to 70 per cent by 2050. The United States has committed billions through the Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense. Yet Canada remains on the sidelines, siloing SAF under clean fuel programs, ignoring it in procurement and treating it as someone else's file. We've got more to lose than most. Almost a quarter of Canada's jet fuel is imported, leaving our defence and Arctic operations dependent on foreign supply chains that are vulnerable to global disruptions. This isn't about emissions – it's about operational readiness and supply chain control. Scaling SAF to 15 per cent of Canada's jet fuel use could generate $3-billion to $5-billion annually across agriculture, refining and logistics. It could give farmers a new market, insulate us from geopolitical fuel shocks and create an Arctic fuel reserve that doesn't cost $10 a litre to deliver. It means rural jobs. It means Indigenous-led infrastructure and northern resupply chains. It means fuel security for defence operations without relying on U.S. or overseas supply. Ottawa wants certainty from China before making concessions on canola tariffs, minister says It also means leverage. SAF opens the door to premium export markets in the EU and U.S., and strengthens interoperability with NATO and NORAD fleets. Done right, this isn't just industrial policy – it's foreign policy. If Canada can't fuel its own jets, we don't control our defence. If we can't deliver fuel to our Arctic bases without draining our supply chain, we don't control our territory. And if we can't build the industrial system we're uniquely positioned to lead, we don't control our future. Ottawa must treat SAF as strategic infrastructure, not just a climate file. That means committing to a federal SAF procurement mandate for defence and Arctic operations, subsidizing Prairie-based SAF refineries and creating a domestic strategic reserve by 2028. It also means integrating SAF into NORAD modernization planning – so the next time we upgrade our northern air bases, we're upgrading their fuel supply, too. Sovereignty isn't a slogan. It's fuel in the tank. It's time to fill it.
Globe and Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
A $500 attack drone costs millions to repel. It's an economic war, and the West is losing
Omar Saleh is the chief commercial officer at North Vector Dynamics Paul Ziadé is the chief executive officer at North Vector Dynamics and an associate professor at the University of Calgary Canada and its allies face a new kind of economic warfare. In early 2024, a US$2.1-billion U.S. Navy destroyer used a US$2.1-million SM-2 missile to shoot down a US$500 one-way attack drone launched by Houthi rebels over the Red Sea. It wasn't the first time. Over several weeks, the United States and its allies expended more than a billion dollars in high-end munitions defending commercial shipping lanes against threats that, in many cases, cost the enemy a few hundred dollars each to launch. This isn't a tactical mismatch. It's an economic war – and we're losing it. For more than a decade, Western defence procurement has drifted toward the exquisite. Precision, complexity and integration have become synonymous with capability. But in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen and across every theatre of war now defined by drones, the shape of modern warfare has shifted. The most strategically disruptive systems aren't the most advanced – they're the most affordable, adaptable and numerous. Ukraine says Russia launched its biggest drone attack yet, part of an escalating campaign Sudan declares UAE 'enemy state' after wave of drone strikes on its Red Sea port And yet, most Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) today are built to fight a different war. A war of doctrine, not of contact. A war where every engagement is clean, jammed signals mean safety and supply lines never break. Where the defender always has more – more equipment, more time, more missiles. That kind of war doesn't exist any more. Drones have flipped the battlefield. Every new drone engagement pushes the same question to the surface: how long can Canada and its allies outspend an adversary before the ledger becomes the real battlefield? In Ukraine, US$39,000 Shaheds and US$35,000 Lancets have knocked out multimillion-dollar NATO tanks and air defence systems. In Gaza, rockets costing a few hundred dollars have triggered US$40,000–US$50,000 Iron Dome interceptors – and occasionally slipped through. In the Red Sea, low-end drones have forced the U.S. Navy to expend US$3-million missiles while still managing to strike commercial vessels. Across every theatre, the attacker's return on investment keeps improving. Even when intercepted, the cost ratio favours the offence. When not, the damage speaks for itself. According to the U.K.'s Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a British defence and security think tank, drones are now responsible for 60 to 70 per cent of all damaged and destroyed Russian equipment in Ukraine. Many of these are low-cost tactical drones operating within 10- to 30-kilometre ranges. A growing proportion are equipped with AI guidance, allowing them to autonomously lock on to targets even if radio frequency links are jammed. Research by CSIS shows that while human-piloted drones achieve 10- to 20-per-cent hit rates, AI-enabled systems can exceed 70 to 80 per cent, reducing the number of drones needed to destroy a target by a factor of four. This means adversaries can now field smaller, cheaper and smarter swarms, making each engagement harder to detect, harder to track, harder to kill. And every step in that chain bleeds time, money and readiness. And now the math is getting worse. Sure, defence has always cost more than offence. That's not new. You spend more to protect something valuable than to destroy something expendable. But the current dynamic goes well beyond asymmetry. These drones are not just nuisance threats. They're destructive, strategic tools of exhaustion. Their job isn't just to penetrate air defences. It's to exhaust them. It's to force defenders to burn through interceptors, reposition assets and respond faster than procurement cycles allow. The goal isn't precision. It's volume. Time. Attrition. This is not about one drone versus one missile. It's about the balance of industrial capacity and the economics of attrition. If the cost to stay in the fight keeps rising for defenders and falling for attackers, the outcome won't hinge on technology. It'll hinge on who runs out of options first. Why, then, do we continue to field US$15-million truck-mounted CUAS to intercept drones worth less than a used iPhone? The problem isn't capability – it's culture. The Western defence procurement ecosystem isn't built to reward cost-efficiency. It rewards integration, vendor relationships, program longevity and adherence to legacy doctrine. Major defence firms still push gold-plated, monolithic systems built for complex and tightly controlled battlefields. And for high-end threats, this makes sense. But against swarms of cheap drones, this is like buying a luxury SUV to operate a motorcycle courier service – reliable, expensive and completely mismatched to the problem. The result is predictable: exquisite systems deployed for every threat, until the cost-per-kill breaks the budget and operational tempo grinds to a halt. This is where conventional military logic breaks down. If you design a missile to hit a drone with 98-per-cent reliability and a $100,000 price tag, you'll win every engagement. That is, until you run out of money, interceptors or political will. That's not a strategy. That's a liability. As Gen. Sir Patrick Sanders, former U.K. chief of the general staff, warned in late 2023, 'We are now in a race to mass. Wars of the future will be won by those who can deploy at scale, not by those with the most sophisticated single asset.' This point applies far beyond Britain: mass, modularity and replenishment will define survivability in the drone age. Modern CUAS architecture needs to do more than just bring down drones. It must bend the cost curve of battlefield survivability. That means building systems around a new set of assumptions: That sensing and targeting systems can be blinded or thrown off. That there may be nothing to jam, either because control runs through fibre-optic cable or because it's guided by AI that won't miss. That the next wave won't be the last one. What's needed is a shift – from complex, centralized systems toward modular, distributed and affordable components that can degrade gracefully under fire, replenish quickly and keep operating without perfect infrastructure or exquisite command-and-control. This isn't a call to abandon integration. It's a call to rethink where the centre of gravity is in CUAS architecture. And that is not in centralized control towers, but in distributed launch points. Not in high-profile weapons platforms, but in low-cost surveillance drones and expendable strike units. Some defence firms are already moving in this direction. Others are still locked into exquisite, top-heavy systems – built to serve entire divisions, not squads – that can't deploy without weeks of preparation. But the battlefield is no longer waiting for integration timelines or procurement cycles. It's defined by who can absorb losses, reconstitute quickly and operate without the illusion of perfect conditions. Canada, with its $26.5-billion defence budget and 1.76 per cent of GDP spending – below NATO's 2-per-cent target – can't afford to fire million-dollar missiles at $500 drones. Modernizing NORAD and meeting NATO commitments demand affordable, scalable defences against this growing threat. Procurement agencies must prioritize systems that can be deployed by platoons, resupplied in hours and purchased in volume. The future doesn't belong to the side with the most expensive defence system. It belongs to the side that can afford to keep fighting – and defend long enough to win.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Source: JFRD district fire chief accused of coercing firefighter to break Ramadan fast
A Jacksonville fire district chief is under investigation and has been reassigned to desk duty after allegedly forcing a Muslim firefighter to break his Ramadan fast. For most Muslims, Ramadan began on the evening of Feb. 28, 2025 and was observed through March. Sources tell Action News Jax this incident happened at Fire Station 28 on Hogan Road in Southside Estates. Action News Jax learned that the district chief yelled at this firefighter - who we are not naming. He asked him why he was not eating with his team, and then threatened to cut his hours and his pay if he didn't comply. Omar Saleh – the Managing Attorney for CAIR-Florida - the 'Council on Islamic Relations' - believes the JFRD district fire chief's alleged actions went too far. 'This is a case of religious coercion. We usually hear about cases of denial of accommodation, for somebody to pray, for example, or to have some time off, for prayer, but never something like this, forcing someone to abandon their religious practice,' said Saleh. Read: ICE is reversing the termination of legal status for international students around the US Hafez Assali, who is the chairman of the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida, weighed in. 'It is important to build solidarity, and I support the chief in him maintaining family, and maintaining unity. At the same time, if there's a member or two that they have their own condition, their own religious values that, you know, at stake here, that need to be communicating between the two. And I believe, you know, they can reach an easy solution,' said Assali. Here's what sources told Action News Jax: In March, a firefighter observing Ramadan was pressured by District Fire Chief Bryon Iveson to break his fast during a station dinner at Station 28. The district chief allegedly threatened to change the firefighter's schedule if he didn't eat. As a result, the firefighter broke his fast. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The district chief was later reassigned to desk duties, according to JFRD, but would not confirm why. JFRD would only say there's an active investigation. Imam Bilal Malik, with the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida, said fasting is central to Ramadan. 'Fasting in Ramadan is mandatory, is an obligation upon each and every Muslim, male and female, those who are adult. Unless they are sick, not able to fast, they are traveling, or they are like old, they cannot, or very young, otherwise all Muslims they fast in Ramadan. For 30 days, we observe the fasting from dawn till dusk. No eating, no drinking, and we control our sight, our hearing, our tongue, even our temperament. So fasting is abstaining from all negativities and even eating, drinking, completely avoiding. So it is mandatory,' said Malik. Read: Jacksonville University Board Members openly support President amid faculty cuts, other cost-cutting While Attorney Saleh couldn't comment on the specifics, since this is not his case, he maintains the district chief's alleged actions could be a violation of the law. 'Termination is something we've sought in the past for somebody who makes such a serious violation of the law. I mean, this is extremely offensive if you put it in any other religious context or category, preventing anyone - of any faith - to prevent or force them to do something, is unacceptable,' said Saleh. JFRD told Action News Jax it will provide a statement once the investigation is complete. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
WAVESAVE EXPANDS WATER SOLUTIONS PORTFOLIO IN RESPONSE TO GLOBAL CLIMATE PRESSURES
03/17/2025, Eindhoven // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Wavesave, a Dutch leader in water management solutions, today announces a strategic expansion beyond its flagship Flood Control Solutions to include a complete suite of Drought Control Solutions, Data Analytics & Services, and Consultancy & Training. Rooted in the Netherlands' centuries-long tradition of water expertise, Wavesave broadened offering reflects the company's steadfast commitment to protecting communities against both floods and droughts while addressing the increasing challenges posed by global climate pressures. Flood Control Remains at the Core Flood Control Solutions continue to be the centerpiece of Wavesave's mission. The company's proven track record includes robust Flood Barriers and innovative Nature-Based Solutions that minimize damage in vulnerable coastal areas and river basins. Drawing on the Dutch mastery of water management, celebrated worldwide for pioneering dike construction and advanced surge barriers, Wavesave remains at the forefront of protecting critical infrastructure and communities from devastating floods. 'Our flood defenses combine modern engineering with the expertise honed over generations in the Netherlands. We have always excelled at controlling water to prevent catastrophic floods. Now, we are applying that same innovative spirit to address drought challenges that are increasingly driven by climate pressures,' says Omar Saleh, CEO of Wavesave. Expanded Drought Control Solutions Wavesave's new Drought Control Solutions directly address the growing threat of water scarcity. The portfolio now features Rainwater Harvesting, Water Storage Systems, and Irrigation Systems, all designed to help communities maintain reliable water supplies during prolonged dry periods. 'When we witnessed entire regions struggling with crop failures and dwindling water reserves, we recognized that our expertise could make a significant difference. By merging advanced engineering with efficient water collection, storage, and distribution methods, we are transforming a crisis into an opportunity for sustainable growth,' explains Saleh. Data Analytics and Services Complementing its physical solutions, Wavesave extends its offerings into Data Analytics & Services through cutting-edge Data Collection Hardware and GIS Mapping Services. These tools provide crucial real-time insights that help stakeholders predict risks from floods and droughts and allocate resources effectively. By delivering actionable data via satellite imagery and automated monitoring, Wavesave empowers governments, NGOs, and private organizations to take swift, informed action. Consultancy and Training: End-to-End Support Wavesave's integrated approach goes beyond supplying equipment. Through its Consultancy & Training Services, the company ensures that local teams acquire the skills to maintain and operate complex water management systems over the long term. Wavesave's specialists provide Technical Consultancy, Project Management, and comprehensive on-site Training Programs, building local capacity that endures. 'True resilience is not just about deploying technology; it is about empowering communities. By training local stakeholders, we ensure that our solutions remain effective long after installation. This approach enables communities to manage their own water resources and adapt to the challenges brought about by climate pressures,' adds Saleh. Protecting Lives and Ecosystems While the expanded portfolio marks a significant milestone, Wavesave's core mission remains unchanged: saving human and animal lives through sustainable water solutions. The company understands that water-related crises, whether from devastating floods or chronic droughts, can destabilize entire regions. By offering a dual approach that both defends against excess water and ensures adequate supply during shortages, Wavesave creates a ripple effect of positive change across communities. A Dutch Legacy with Global Impact Wavesave's roots in the Netherlands underscore its reputation for water management excellence. Dutch engineers and hydrologists have long set the standard for effective water control, and Wavesave carries this tradition forward with innovative approaches spanning flood prevention and drought mitigation. The company's dual focus, protecting communities from excessive water while ensuring reliable supply during dry periods, reinforces its mission to safeguard lives and promote environmental resilience amid a changing climate. About Wavesave Wavesave is a Netherlands-based company that delivers complete water management solutions. Originally known for its advanced flood control systems, like robust flood barriers and nature-inspired solutions, it has now expanded its expertise to address drought challenges. Today, Wavesave offers innovative drought solutions such as rainwater harvesting, efficient water storage, smart irrigation systems, cutting-edge data analytics, and hands-on consultancy and training. Committed to saving human and animal lives, Wavesave partners with governments, NGOs, and private organizations to create sustainable, community-centered water solutions. Wavesave invites stakeholders, journalists, and organizations to learn more about its integrated water management solutions at With cutting-edge expertise and a proactive response to global climate pressures, Wavesave stands ready to protect communities and ensure water security worldwide. Media Contact Tel: +31 6 39 82 31 86
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WAVESAVE EXPANDS WATER SOLUTIONS PORTFOLIO IN RESPONSE TO GLOBAL CLIMATE PRESSURES
Innovative flood defenses remain at the core while Wavesave enhances its offerings with comprehensive drought solutions and integrated support services WAVESAVE EXPANDS WATER SOLUTIONS PORTFOLIO IN RESPONSE TO GLOBAL CLIMATE PRESSURES Eindhoven , March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wavesave, a Dutch leader in water management solutions, today announces a strategic expansion beyond its flagship Flood Control Solutions to include a complete suite of Drought Control Solutions, Data Analytics & Services, and Consultancy & Training. Rooted in the Netherlands' centuries-long tradition of water expertise, Wavesave broadened offering reflects the company's steadfast commitment to protecting communities against both floods and droughts while addressing the increasing challenges posed by global climate pressures. Wavesave Flood Control Remains at the Core Flood Control Solutions continue to be the centerpiece of Wavesave's mission. The company's proven track record includes robust Flood Barriers and innovative Nature-Based Solutions that minimize damage in vulnerable coastal areas and river basins. Drawing on the Dutch mastery of water management, celebrated worldwide for pioneering dike construction and advanced surge barriers, Wavesave remains at the forefront of protecting critical infrastructure and communities from devastating floods. "Our flood defenses combine modern engineering with the expertise honed over generations in the Netherlands. We have always excelled at controlling water to prevent catastrophic floods. Now, we are applying that same innovative spirit to address drought challenges that are increasingly driven by climate pressures," says Omar Saleh, CEO of Wavesave. Wavesave Expanded Drought Control Solutions Wavesave's new Drought Control Solutions directly address the growing threat of water scarcity. The portfolio now features Rainwater Harvesting, Water Storage Systems, and Irrigation Systems, all designed to help communities maintain reliable water supplies during prolonged dry periods. "When we witnessed entire regions struggling with crop failures and dwindling water reserves, we recognized that our expertise could make a significant difference. By merging advanced engineering with efficient water collection, storage, and distribution methods, we are transforming a crisis into an opportunity for sustainable growth," explains Saleh. Data Analytics and Services Complementing its physical solutions, Wavesave extends its offerings into Data Analytics & Services through cutting-edge Data Collection Hardware and GIS Mapping Services. These tools provide crucial real-time insights that help stakeholders predict risks from floods and droughts and allocate resources effectively. By delivering actionable data via satellite imagery and automated monitoring, Wavesave empowers governments, NGOs, and private organizations to take swift, informed action. Consultancy and Training: End-to-End Support Wavesave's integrated approach goes beyond supplying equipment. Through its Consultancy & Training Services, the company ensures that local teams acquire the skills to maintain and operate complex water management systems over the long term. Wavesave's specialists provide Technical Consultancy, Project Management, and comprehensive on-site Training Programs, building local capacity that endures. "True resilience is not just about deploying technology; it is about empowering communities. By training local stakeholders, we ensure that our solutions remain effective long after installation. This approach enables communities to manage their own water resources and adapt to the challenges brought about by climate pressures," adds Saleh. Protecting Lives and Ecosystems While the expanded portfolio marks a significant milestone, Wavesave's core mission remains unchanged: saving human and animal lives through sustainable water solutions. The company understands that water-related crises, whether from devastating floods or chronic droughts, can destabilize entire regions. By offering a dual approach that both defends against excess water and ensures adequate supply during shortages, Wavesave creates a ripple effect of positive change across communities. Wavesave A Dutch Legacy with Global Impact Wavesave's roots in the Netherlands underscore its reputation for water management excellence. Dutch engineers and hydrologists have long set the standard for effective water control, and Wavesave carries this tradition forward with innovative approaches spanning flood prevention and drought mitigation. The company's dual focus, protecting communities from excessive water while ensuring reliable supply during dry periods, reinforces its mission to safeguard lives and promote environmental resilience amid a changing climate. About Wavesave Wavesave is a Netherlands-based company that delivers complete water management solutions. Originally known for its advanced flood control systems, like robust flood barriers and nature-inspired solutions, it has now expanded its expertise to address drought challenges. Today, Wavesave offers innovative drought solutions such as rainwater harvesting, efficient water storage, smart irrigation systems, cutting-edge data analytics, and hands-on consultancy and training. Committed to saving human and animal lives, Wavesave partners with governments, NGOs, and private organizations to create sustainable, community-centered water solutions. Wavesave invites stakeholders, journalists, and organizations to learn more about its integrated water management solutions at With cutting-edge expertise and a proactive response to global climate pressures, Wavesave stands ready to protect communities and ensure water security worldwide. ### Media Contact Omar Saleh, CEO Wavesave Email: info@ Tel: +31 6 39 82 31 86 Website: WAVESAVE EXPANDS WATER SOLUTIONS PORTFOLIO IN RESPONSE TO GLOBAL CLIMATE PRESSURESSign in to access your portfolio
