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Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is the Editor in Chief and Founder of DroneXL.co, where he covers all drone-related news, DJI rumors and writes drone reviews, and of EVXL.co, for all electric vehicle news. Haye can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

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Drones Combat Wildcat Mining in West Africa as Gold Prices Soar
Legal

Drones Combat Wildcat Mining in West Africa as Gold Prices Soar

As gold prices climb above $3,300 per ounce, West African mine operators are deploying drones to curb illegal mining, protecting profits and reducing violent clashes. At Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mine in Ghana, surveillance drones recently uncovered abandoned equipment and contaminated water left by wildcat miners, highlighting a high-tech response to a growing challenge, Reuters reports.…

Pentagon Ramps Up Small Drone Investments to Transform Warfare
Weaponized drones

Pentagon Ramps Up Small Drone Investments to Transform Warfare

The U.S. military is accelerating its investment in small, offensive drones, driven by their proven effectiveness in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony, reported by the Washington Times before Congress on June 18, 2025. With a proposed $961.6 billion defense budget, the Pentagon aims to integrate advanced,…

EUROCONTROL’s ACUTE Project Uncovers Growing Drone Activity in Paris Airspace
DJI

EUROCONTROL’s ACUTE Project Uncovers Growing Drone Activity in Paris Airspace

A pioneering study by EUROCONTROL’s ACUTE project has revealed a surge in drone activity around Paris, with over 5,000 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations detected near key airports. Detailed in a recent paper, this initiative provides vital data to enhance airspace safety and shape regulatory frameworks. ACUTE’s Mission and Technology Launched in August 2021, the…

Amazon Prime Air Drone Delivery Nears Reality in Italy with ENAC Partnership
Amazon

Amazon Prime Air Drone Delivery Nears Reality in Italy with ENAC Partnership

In a significant step toward modernizing logistics, Amazon Prime Air and Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) met on June 19, 2025, to advance drone delivery operations in San Salvo, Italy. The coordination meeting, led by ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma and Director General Alexander D’Orsogna, signals Italy’s push to integrate drone technology into its aviation…

DJI Drone Stock Crisis Escalates as U.S. Ban Nears: Why Are Shelves Empty?
DJI

DJI Drone Stock Crisis Deepens as U.S. Ban Looms: Why Are Shelves Bare?

If you’re eyeing a DJI drone to enhance your aerial photography or recreational flying, the options are dwindling fast. As of June 22, 2025, DJI’s official website and major U.S. retailers like B&H Photo, Adorama, and Amazon report near-total stock depletion across their drone lineup. From the budget-friendly DJI Neo to the cinematic Inspire 3,…

Drone Saves Missing Elderly Man in Coffee County Search
First Responders

Drone Saves Missing Elderly Man in Coffee County Search

In a heartwarming rescue, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) used a drone to locate an 80-year-old man with dementia who went missing on June 18, 2025, in rural Georgia. The successful operation highlights the growing role of drones in search-and-rescue missions, offering new hope for families and first responders. WALB News reported the story,…

Ukraine Boosts Defense Industry with $43 Billion Drone Investment, Zelenskyy Announces
Ukraine

Ukraine Boosts Defense Industry with $43 Billion Drone Investment, Zelenskyy Announces

Ukraine is ramping up its defense capabilities with a massive $43 billion investment in its domestic industry, including a significant focus on drones, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This funding, accumulated so far this year from local sources and weapon purchases, underscores the nation’s push to reduce reliance on foreign military aid, particularly from…

Drone Pilot Reunites Lost Pets with Owners Despite Gunfire Risks
Drones for Good

Drone Pilot Reunites Lost Pets with Owners Despite Gunfire Risks

In Canton, Georgia, Mike Snyder from Top Gun Drone Services, uses advanced drones to locate missing pets, successfully reuniting many with their owners over the past 15 months. However, his service has faced dangerous encounters, with his drones shot at twice during searches, highlighting the risks of operating in rural areas, according to the Athens…

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