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Listen to the article 6 min This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Economic activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in July for the seventh consecutive month to 55.6%, or 2.3 percentage points higher than June, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s latest Purchasing Managers’ Index. The overall economy grew for the 21st month in a row, ISM reported. A figure below 50% indicates an industry in contraction. The S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI showed a slightly higher rate of expansion, registering 53.9, unchanged from June. “We have a really strong report this month,” Susan Spence, chair…

Yasmine is the first of the Season 4 roster joining Street Fighter 6. She’s been accompanied by the balance update earlier today. AlietteFaye recently compiled character usage stats for the Legend Rank in Street Fighter 6. This provides us with one last look at the Season 3 meta before the Season 4 patch. JP is the overall most successful character of the Legend Rank as there are 27 players that…

Based on interviews conducted in 2025 and 2026 with former Boko Haram members, Antonia Juelich presents one of the first in-depth and field-based studies documenting how an active terrorist organization has adopted frontier artificial intelligence (AI). In “God Has Helped Us, and So Will AI: How the Terrorist Group Boko Haram Uses Frontier AI,” Juelich argues that AI is evolving beyond its previously recognized role in propaganda into an organizational capability. With the shift from theoretical concern to documented operational use, the report discusses important implications for AI governance, counterterrorism, and national security. Juelich observes that both factions of Boko…

3 August 2026 – Each of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s new Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates will be equipped with a 12-metre-long uncrewed surface vessel (USV). A so-called FLASH dipping sonar from Thales, which is yet to be adapted, will be installed on this USV. The Ministry of Defence today gave the go-ahead for Dutch Naval Design (DND) to commence the design work and, at the same time, to finalise the procurement of the FLASH dipping sonar. DND is a partnership between the Ministry of Defence, industry, academia and research institutions. A number of parties within Dutch Naval Design had submitted…

Aix en Provence, France 3rd August 2026- NHIndustries (NHI), together with the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA), proudly announces the successful completion of the first flight of the NH90 Software Release 3 (SWR3) configuration, also dubbed ‘Block 1’. The flight took place on the 21st July in Italy, where an Italian Navy SH90 helicopter was upgraded to the new SWR3 standard. click on image to enlarge This important achievement marks the beginning of the flight test campaign for the SWR3 configuration and represents a major milestone in the evolution of the NH90 programme. It comes only two years after the…

Rheinmetall today unveiled the GMF140, a next-generation 140-metre, 6,000+ tonne guided missile frigate designed to deliver unmatched capability across the full spectrum of modern naval warfare. Developed to meet the evolving operational requirements of NATO and allied navies, the GMF140 establishes a new benchmark for survivability, lethality and mission flexibility in the global frigate market. With the GMF140, Rheinmetall is targeting international markets and intends to offer it initially as part of a procurement project in North America. Purpose-built for operations in the world’s most demanding threat environments, the GMF140 combines advanced air and ballistic missile defence, anti-submarine warfare and…

Logistics support of combat operations has always been a complex undertaking. But threats to US operating locations in the Indo-Pacific are expected to be substantial and could significantly degrade sortie generation capabilities. US equipment, personnel, and infrastructure are likely to face threats from ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and, increasingly in the future, attack unmanned aerial systems. Non-kinetic threats will add additional complexity to the battlefield. Moreover, airbases in the Indo-Pacific are widely dispersed requiring resupply over vast distances while still located within range of enemy attack under short timelines. Aircraft on the ground are particularly vulnerable during air base attacks,…

How to enable defence enterprises to improve outcomes? With the pressure increasing on defence organisations to improve efficiency, productivity and long-term support of defence equipment new thinking and new practices are required. A set of possible solutions was outlined in an E-book released by the ARAS Corporation entitled “MISSION TRANSPARENCY – An Essential Guide for Modernizing Defense Processes and Enhancing Efficiency.” [Photo © Aras]This book describes how major corporates in Germany, Sweden, the UK and the US, and even the US Army, have used ARAS solutions to improve their practices.  Anything that can increase efficiency is worth knowing, thus looking…

Islam Makhachev tapped out Charles Oliveira to kick off his UFC lightweight reign in 2022, and “do Bronx’s” teammate Ian Machado Garry will enter the octagon on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia to try to end his unbeaten streak and capture the welterweight title at UFC 330.Garry earned a shot at the 170-pound belt after beating former champion Belal Muhammad in November 2025, and Oliveira said that he’s been training for Makhachev since then.“He knew he was next in line for the title,” Oliveira told MMA Fighting. “And he’s been completely focused on this matchup with Makhachev ever since.”Makhachev has the…

Steiner, a global leader in premium optics trusted by military and law enforcement professionals around the world, proudly introduces the MPS 2.0 Micro Pistol Sight—the next generation of its enclosed emitter red dot engineered for duty, defense, and uncompromising reliability. Designed by Steiner Germany, the MPS 2.0 builds upon the proven performance of the original MPS while delivering meaningful improvements driven by real-world users. From enhanced durability and longer battery life to improved ergonomics and easier maintenance, every update was made with one goal in mind: ensuring the optic performs when failure isn’t an option. “The original MPS established itself…