Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

The Internal Revenue Service says a new policy governing what materials may posted in communal office spaces like bulletin boards clears the agency of accusations that it violated employees’ First Amendment rights when it began confiscating flyers and decorations supportive of the National Treasury Employees Union.But attorneys representing the union said they’ve thus far received mixed messages as to whether the new policy would adequately address the concerns underlying a federal lawsuit stemming from the initial May directive.On May 29, IRS issued a directive, purportedly stemming from President Trump’s 2025 executive order banning collective bargaining at many agencies, instructing its…

Patria and KNDS Deutschland Maintenance (KNDS) have today signed a framework agreement covering the assembly and final integration of Patria 6×6 armoured personnel carriers within the multinational Common Armoured Vehicles (CAVS) programme. The partnership is part of the two procurement contracts between Patria and Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) made in December 2025. Patria is in full speed building the German industrial capacity for CAVS programme with KNDS and other German industrial partners. Serial deliveries to the Bundeswehr will ramp up in early 2027, while local production in Germany will be gradually increased from 2027 onwards as part of the technology…

10 August 2026, Cambridge – Air defence company Cambridge Aerospace has today (10 August) announced the closure of its Series C round with $300m dollars of investment at a $3.4bn valuation. The round will support Cambridge Aerospace’s continued exponential growth as the company expands manufacturing capabilities to deliver on existing and new contracts, while continuing to invest in the spiral development of existing products and bringing the next generation of capabilities to market. The round was led by DFJ Growth and supported by Lux, Accel, Lakestar, Never Lift, Ora Global and Elad Gil & Co. The addition of DFJ Growth…

Assessing a threat model in which malicious actors leverage large language model (LLM) agents to exploit biological tools (BTs), the authors evaluate whether agents can lower expertise barriers for hazardous biodesign. They find that LLM agents demonstrate emerging ability to use BTs for nucleic acid synthesis screening evasion, although success is inconsistent and model safeguards frequently limit testing of closed-weight systems. This publication is part of the RAND research report series. Research reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND research reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high…

An F-35B aircraft, flown by a Royal Navy test pilot, approaches JS Kaga prior to landing on the ship for the first time on 24 October 2024, off the coast of California. (US DoD)With the new US government’s defence focus moving away from Europe, Japan is set to play an expanding role to counter continued modernisation by an assertive China.Japan’s Defense Build-Up Program saw the 2024 defence budget increase by 16.5% from the previous year, and it will rise to US$59.5 billion for 2025; this represents a further 7.4% rise. Also, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has launched a…

Russian President Vladimir Putin could potentially attack NATO within weeks, according to a series of new United States intelligence assessments. These latest reports follow a number of similar recent warnings from NATO capitals, highlighting growing concerns within the alliance that Putin may be considering a dramatic escalation as he seeks to break the strategic deadlock in his faltering Ukraine invasion. US officials believe any Russian attack on NATO would likely be limited in scope, with the goal of undermining alliance unity and testing the resolve of individual member countries rather than threatening a major war. One widely discussed scenario would…

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 10: (L-R) Anthony Wint and Matt Adams face off during Dana White’s Contender Series season ten, week one weigh-in at Palace Station Hotel & Casino on August 10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls was recently released. Prior to release, we were told that the base roster would feature 20 characters made up of Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Black Panther, Storm, Wolverine, Magik, Danger, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, Ms. Marvel, Peni Parker, Dr. Doom, Magneto, Green Goblin, Carnage, Ghost Rider, Blade, Loki and Deadpool. While this turned out to be true, it turns out that Arc System Works was hiding an unlockable 21st character as well. Just like with…

HII and MetalCraft Marine successfully complete DIU prototype testing for the Watcher, an autonomous USV powered by HII’s Odyssey control system. HII press release HII announced that the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has officially recognized the successful completion of the company’s Production-Ready, Inexpensive, Maritime Expeditionary (PRIME) prototype project, featuring the Watcher small Unmanned Surface Vessel (sUSV), which is based on HII’s ROMULUS-25 Unmanned Surface Vessel and powered by HII’s Odyssey Autonomous Control System (ACS). The DIU recognition follows HII’s delivery and successful sea testing of two autonomous Watcher ROMULUS-25 vessels in December 2025 under a DIU contract to develop…

Boeing revealed an ultra-low-cost radar seeker Tuesday as this year’s Space and Missile Defense Symposium kicked off in Huntsville, Alabama, pitching it as a way to get missile guidance on more weapons for less money.Installed in the nose of a missile or bomb, the seeker locates the target and guides the weapon toward it. Seekers are among the most expensive parts of a guided weapon, and Boeing’s argument is that their cost is what limits how many the military can buy.Boeing’s Ultra Low-Cost Seeker, or ULCS, is an active seeker, meaning it emits its own radar signal rather than relying…