Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

Dive Brief: Transpacific ocean rates cooled slightly last week despite rates at peak levels since July, according to Freightos’ weekly update from Sept. 8. When compared week over week, Asia to U.S. West Coast spot rates fell 1% at $7,569 per forty-foot equivalent unit, according to the Freightos Baltic Index. Asia to U.S. East Coast spot rates are at $9,505 per FEU, down 3% week over week. Rates for the Transpacific trade lane are roughly in line with levels seen during the 2024 peak season. At the time, Red Sea disruptions to capacity were taking place along with frontloading due to…

During MSPO 2026, the exhibition which is taking place in Kielce, Poland, Leonardo announced that its 30 mm X-Gun has been selected for the Polish SAN C-UAS programme, the Italian company having received a contract from Kongsberg of Norway, the latter being responsible for the turret On September 8th, 2026, Leonardo announced the first export success for its newly developed 30×173 mm X-Gun. “During the ongoing MSPO exhibition, Leonardo announces the signing of a significant contract with Kongsberg for the supply of 30 mm X-GUN weapon systems. These will be integrated into an advanced multi-layer counter-UAS system for an undisclosed…

Collective-defense pacts are meant to make war less likely. Poorly designed ones can do the opposite. If allies make sweeping promises without the military integration, decision-making mechanisms, and escalation controls needed to carry them out, they may invite adversaries to test the boundaries of these promises.The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, signed on Aug. 7 amid intensifying regional conflict, represents a significant but uncertain development in the region. The agreement declares that an attack on one member will be treated as an attack on all three, establishing a broad commitment to collective deterrence. Yet the…

Alberto Blas is no stranger to winning in Miami, and when discussing winning his latest Florida fight at BKB 58 on August 29th, Blas said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker], “Yeah, I’m good. I’m good. Thank you for the opportunity to be me again and I’m feel great.” The Cuban combatant finished Brandon Birr early in the bout and defended his BKB super featherweight crown in an exemplary performance over a former champion. When delving into his feelings regarding all of these components, Alberto Blas stated [via Bare Knuckle Bowker], “Yes, sir. Always I say I’m ready to go six round.…

HENSOLDT has signed a further development contract for the Optarion mission support system (EUA). The customer is the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw). The contract, worth 15 million euros, continues the further development of the ground station, which links command and control information systems – including the Bundeswehr’s Battle Management System (BMS) – with the Army’s airborne platforms. Alex Irmscher, Programme Manager for Ground Stations at HENSOLDT, said: “With Optarion, we integrate both existing and new platforms into the digital command and control network without requiring any modifications to the aircraft. The new…

Marvelous, the studio behind the Story of Seasons and Rune Factory series, returns with a new turn-based JRPG led by Monster Hunter Stories 2 director Katsuhisa Higuchi. Eternal Anima is a new turn-based JRPG from Marvelous built around a combat system called Future Sight, which allows players to preview enemy actions and their expected results before committing to a response. Previously known as Project Life is RPG, the game also connects exploration and character progression through Psychometry, an ability that lets protagonist Wade recover memories, classes, and abilities from objects found throughout the world. Future Sight Lets Players Manipulate Enemy…

PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY BARKING SANDS, Hawaii — The Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) has announced Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) All Clear following the completion of initial storm response and safety assessments associated with Hurricane Lowell. PMRF personnel conducted post-storm assessments of installation infrastructure, essential services, and overall operating conditions to ensure the safety of personnel, housing residents, and facilities before reopening the installation to all personnel. “Recovery actions are ongoing, and we will continue to assess infrastructure and installation conditions as we work toward safely resuming normal operations,” said Captain Robert Prince, commanding officer of PMRF. “We…

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org General Atomics has unveiled the first renderings of its Wildfire drone, which it plans to pitch for the Air Force’s hunt for a new, low-cost Massed Modular Aircraft. Wildfire was unveiled in a sizzle reel-type video General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. posted on social media Sept. 9. The video touts more than three decades of the company’s unmanned aerial vehicle development, starting with the Gnat and Predator drones flown in the…

By Jonathan Robinson Introduction In January 1974, in the tail end of the Vietnam War, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and Republic of Vietnam Navy briefly clashed over control of the Paracel Islands in what became known in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the Battle of the Paracels (Figure 1). Despite Beijing securing their grip on the archipelago after the battle, the victory exposed a severe operational vulnerability. The PLAN was unable to rapidly evacuate and stabilize casualties from the conflict zone for follow-on care ashore. It also exposed the limits of the PRC ability to sustain…

PFL will crown its bantamweight champion on Dec. 19 in Lyon, France, when Taylor Lapilus faces off with Mitch McKee for the inaugural 135-pound belt in the main event of the last PFL card before merging with MVP in 2027, the promotion announced Wednesday.Lapilus (25-4) won four in a row under the PFL banner after parting ways with the UFC on a two-fight winning streak, topping Jake Hadley in his most recent bout this past May. The 34-year-old French bantamweight was victorious in six of eight bouts over two stints in the UFC.“My whole career has led to this moment,”…