Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

As global artificial intelligence (AI) competition intensifies, the United States faces critical decisions about how to structure AI partnerships, particularly with the European Union (EU) and EU member states that have developed valuable yet often overlooked AI capabilities. The existing transatlantic institutional architecture, though underused, enables bilateral dialogue, research collaboration, venture capital for the most visible EU firms, and market access with reasonable competence. What it has not produced is a strategic AI partnership—a formal, durable collaboration that aligns resources, rules, and incentives across the AI development and deployment life cycle, enabling each partner to gain capabilities or leverage that…

NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan — China’s Dong Feng-17 ballistic missile has probably existed for more than a decade, quietly adding to the People’s Liberation Army arsenal of ever more modern weaponry.Suddenly in June it was showcased for the first time in official Chinese media, as analysts tell it, and described as one of China’s top military assets as English-language subtitles extolled its battlefield capacities.Experts say the broadcast answers Asia-Pacific military exercises by other countries and aims to warn the U.S. military that the missiles better known as DF-17s, for short, have what it takes to cause particular pain in any…

Conor McGregor hasn’t fought in five years, but he remains the biggest draw in combat sports so it stands to reason he’s going to get called out by just about everybody from champions to top contenders.Before he even throws a punch against Max Holloway in their rematch at UFC 329, McGregor has heard his name dropped dozens of times including new undisputed lightweight champion Justin Gaethje expressing interest in that potential matchup. While Gaethje has plenty of options awaiting him after he finished Ilia Topuria at UFC White House, he acknowledged he will be front row for the fights on…

U.S. Navy service members with shaving waivers who are classified as having a permanent skin condition will face administrative separation, the service announced Tuesday.Active duty and reserve sailors granted facial hair accommodations will be allowed to receive medical treatment for up to 12 months under new Navy grooming standards, but if the irritation they face from shaving is incurable, then they will be evaluated for discharge.The new guidance doesn’t apply to waivers for Navy grooming standards submitted on the basis of religious accommodations.“Mission accomplishment hinges on stringent compliance with standards and ensuring implementing policies are clear, unambiguous, and compliant with…

There’s something almost mythical about speed in military aviation. Long before stealth coatings and artificial intelligence became the buzzwords of modern air combat, engineers chased one goal with relentless determination: make the next fighter fly faster than anything that came before it.For decades, breaking another Mach barrier wasn’t just an engineering milestone, it was a statement of national power.The fastest US fighter jet wasn’t designed simply to impress spectators at airshows. These aircraft were built to intercept enemy bombers before they reached American skies, outrun hostile missiles, and seize control of the air in the opening moments of a conflict.During…

The ROCAF’s F-CK-1C ‘1490’ departs Chihhang on 1 July to conduct a test-fire of the air-launched HF-III supersonic anti-ship missile. (Wang Hsiang)Testing of Taiwan’s Hsiung Feng III (HF-III) air-launched supersonic anti-ship missile progressed with a test-fire on 1 July.The missile developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) was launched by a Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) F-CK-1C, tail number ‘1490’. The fighter departed Chihhang Air Base in Taitung County in southeast Taiwan that morning.The AIDC-manufactured aircraft was configured with a single missile on its starboard wing and a drop tank on the port wing, and…

Fifteen years of Filipino combat sports history walk into the ring again this July, carrying the same quiet humility that built it all. Former multi-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Eduard Folayang meets Japanese judoka Shozo Isojima in a lightweight MMA co-main event at The Inner Circle 21 on Friday, July 10. The bout streams live for members from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Folayang has spent 15 years building a reputation as one of ONE Championship’s most respected competitors. That reputation now enters its twilight stage against a hungry challenger. Isojima announced himself in the promotion with a dominant…

Login.gov, the government’s identity-proofing platform housed within the General Services Administration, is collaborating with the National Design Studio to enhance the user experience of millions of Americans who regularly use the shared service.The collaboration aims to “make it easier for people to access government services, while operating with privacy, transparency, and security at the core of everything we do,” according to an internal email sent to staff Tuesday by Greg Hogan, acting assistant commissioner of Login.gov, and obtained by Nextgov/FCW.Currently, more than 100 million Americans have accounts through Login.gov to access a variety of government services like Social Security accounts,…

Safety regulations and workers’ compensation outcomes are closely connected, particularly in higher-risk industries and federal workforce environments. Rob Edelman July 8, 2026 5:33 pm 3 min read Regulatory updates often start with a narrow focus, but their impact can stretch far beyond the industries directly named in the rulemaking itself. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s recent decision to revoke its Open Fires in Marine Terminals Standard is one example. While the rule specifically applies to marine terminals, the broader message is equally significant, as workplace safety standards continue to evolve while agencies reassess how existing safety frameworks align with…

July 8, 2026 (Kongsberg, Norway / Ottawa, Canada) – KONGSBERG, Kongsberg Maritime, and BCIT are pleased to announce a significant investment that will establish the Marine Innovation Simulation Centre of Excellence (MISE) in British Columbia. The initiative is designed to strengthen maritime innovation and skills development, support ongoing research and development, while building on key objectives outlined in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. The partnership and subsequent investment are enabled through the Industrial Technological Benefits (ITB) policy, and in support of KONGSBERG programs in Canada. This investment will directly support improved facility infrastructure, onboarding of applied research and faculty expertise, and ongoing…