#stord

Trafalgar Square has a great number of other artworks displayed all year round, mainly statues of famous military leaders or murals depicting important battles. For security reasons it is impossible to determine exactly which of these statues will come to life and defend the plaza from attack when needed, which is also why the statue of Horatio Nelson is kept high above the four lions, who might get carried away upon awakening. The only exception to this rule is the inert statue of George Washington erected in 1914 to mark 100 years since the War of 1812 and defeat of The Cherry King, the entity described in the first prophecy of Virginia Dare and suspected by many to be George Washington himself.

A crewmember of the “Stord” ww2

The Norwegian “torpedo chaser” "Stord"  (previously HMS Succes) participated in the battle at the North Cape in a terrible storm weather. From Stord, the torpedo crew, under the leadership of the torpedo commander (flag quartermaster),Håkon Nilsen sent eight torpedoes against the German battleship Scharnhorst. His report of December 27, 1943, to the commanding admiral,  Skule V. Storheill, he writes the following: "I regret having to announce that during the torpedo launch, AB. 10118 Paul Lea (Stavanger) was swept overboard by a violent wave that, at the same time swept away port series of stern, deep mining racks, 12 deep demers and displaced front torpedo cannons and deep mines. It is a wonder that the whole crew wasn’t taken or injured. Rewieving the signals during the action,an impression of the action can be achieved. The crew's attitude was, as usual, excellent, especially I would emphasize the torpedo crew, who worked under constant danger of being washed overboard and still remained at their posts ". Another crew member was swept into the cold Barents Sea, and another wave threw Georg Sulen back on board the "Stord". Georg Sulen was severely injured.

"Stord" continued as an escort for the Russian convoys until the spring of 1944. Then she was divided into attack group "Sword" to participate in operation "Operation Neptune", where "Stord" also played a very active role during the very invasion of the French coast.

On the D-Day, June 6, 1944, the  "Stord" was all the way up along the beaches of Caen and came under heavy fire during the Normandy landing. .

The future of the automotive industry is no longer defined only by engines, manufacturing, and design. It is increasingly being shaped by software, connectivity, and data.

The decision gives Volvo near-term stability in one of the world’s most competitive vehicle markets. More importantly, it highlights how connected cars are becoming part of a larger conversation involving technology infrastructure, consumer privacy, and national security.

Over the past decade, connected vehicle technology has evolved far beyond navigation and smartphone pairing.

Today’s vehicles can transmit real-time diagnostics, receive software updates remotely, monitor driving performance, and connect directly to cloud-based systems. Automakers increasingly rely on these digital tools not only to improve customer experience but also to create long-term revenue through subscriptions, software upgrades, and connected services.

That has transformed the car into something much closer to a digital platform.

For Volvo, this matters strategically.

The company has positioned itself around safety, reliability, and premium engineering. Connected technology adds another layer by allowing predictive maintenance, faster diagnostics, and seamless software delivery while improving convenience for drivers.

At the same time, regulators are watching closely.

U.S. officials have increased scrutiny over how vehicle data is collected, where it is stored, and whether software-linked transportation systems create cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Because Volvo is majority-owned by Geely Holding Group while maintaining operations across Europe and North America, the company has received additional attention as policymakers review global automotive supply chains.

By clearing Volvo’s connected vehicles for sale, Washington appears to be signaling a selective regulatory approach.

Rather than slowing the entire connected car market, regulators seem focused on allowing continued innovation while keeping pressure on manufacturers to demonstrate stronger cybersecurity standards and transparent data governance.

That matters across the industry.

Tesla has built much of its customer experience around over-the-air software updates and cloud connectivity. Mercedes-Benz and BMW continue expanding digital dashboards, app-based controls, and software subscriptions.

Volvo is competing within that same transformation — but with trust and safety as its strongest differentiators.

The larger takeaway is clear.

Connected cars are becoming a central part of digital infrastructure, and governments are beginning to treat them accordingly. Automakers that can combine innovation with strong compliance and data transparency may be better positioned as regulation becomes more complex.

For Volvo, maintaining access to the U.S. market protects both sales momentum and confidence in its long-term software-driven strategy.

The logistics industry is having a major moment—and Atlanta-based Stord is right at the center of it.

The company has raised nearly $250 million in fresh funding, reaching a reported valuation of $3 billion, as more brands search for fulfillment solutions beyond Amazon’s ecosystem. It’s one of the clearest signs yet that logistics infrastructure is evolving from a traditional operational cost center into a fast-growing software-driven category tied closely to modern tech innovation.

For years, Amazon set the benchmark in e-commerce fulfillment with unmatched shipping speed and nationwide warehouse reach. But many brands are now looking for more flexibility.

Selling through Amazon can unlock reach and convenience, but it can also create limits around customer ownership, branding, and pricing control. As direct-to-consumer commerce expands, merchants increasingly want fulfillment partners that deliver Amazon-level performance without requiring deep dependence on Amazon’s marketplace.

That demand is fueling growth for companies like Stord.

Unlike traditional third-party logistics providers, Stord combines physical fulfillment with software infrastructure. Businesses can manage inventory, route orders, coordinate returns, and optimize shipping from a single connected platform.

That software-first model is becoming increasingly attractive in the broader startup ecosystem.

Warehouse automation, AI-assisted inventory planning, and smarter shipping decisions are changing how logistics businesses operate. Investors are paying attention because these platforms can scale faster and create recurring software revenue while improving operational efficiency through advanced technology and innovation.

Stord says it now supports more than $15 billion in gross merchandise volume across more than 1,000 brands, positioning it among the largest independent fulfillment networks in the U.S.

Competition remains strong with companies like Flexport and ShipBob also expanding rapidly, but Stord’s approach stands out by blending distributed warehouse capacity with enterprise-grade logistics software.

The bigger story here isn’t just one funding round.

It reflects a broader shift in commerce: brands increasingly want fast nationwide fulfillment while keeping ownership of the customer relationship and maintaining flexibility across their own websites, retail partners, and marketplaces.

This shift is also reshaping modern entrepreneurship, where founders want greater control over customer data, operations, and long-term brand growth.

As logistics becomes more deeply tied to software and automation, companies offering that balance could become some of the most valuable infrastructure players in modern commerce and the next generation of high-growth startups.