U.S. Navy Seeking Anti-Radiation Missile Which Can Also Kill Airborne Radars
NAVAIR has issued a Sources Sought notice for an Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM) that would exceed the range of the current AGM‑88G and add the ability to engage both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground targets. The missile must integrate with the F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, EA‑18G Growler and F‑35C, feature a broadband anti‑radiation seeker, GPS/INS guidance and robust ECCM, and meet a TRL 7+ maturity level. This effort reflects the Navy’s push for longer‑range, flexible SEAD/DEAD weapons to counter peer A2/AD environments. The requirement aims to replace separate SEAD and air‑to‑air missiles with a single, versatile system.
Unintended Consequences
EchoStar exited the facility‑based cellular market after FCC pressure to monetize its spectrum, selling valuable bands to Starlink and AT&T while walking away from thousands of tower lease payments. The lease abandonment has prompted tower owners to seek FCC intervention,...
Nexi Unveils ‘Nexi Ready’ as Europe Embrace ‘Buy’ Model
Nexi Group has launched Nexi Ready, a fully managed digital‑issuing platform that lets banks, corporates and fintechs outsource technology, scheme compliance and day‑to‑day operations while keeping their brand and customer data. The service is positioned as a new “plug‑and‑play” issuing...
Money Awards to SEC Over Pump-and-Dump Scheme Upheld on Appeal
The First Circuit upheld nearly $43 million in disgorgement awards against five defendants in a penny‑stock pump‑and‑dump scheme. The court found internal records clearly demonstrated each participant’s share of the illicit profits. The case is being sent back to the District...
Musk’s Twitter Trial Gets Jurors Who Can Set Aside Feelings
Nine jurors were selected from a pool of 93 to hear the securities class action against Elon Musk over his 2022 Twitter acquisition, which investors claim violated securities law by causing the stock price to plunge. The trial, overseen by...
A Defensive Rally.
The episode examines the surprising year‑to‑date rally in oil and gas equities, highlighting that despite a "risk‑off" environment, energy stocks are outpacing all S&P sectors. The host attributes this to improving momentum, stronger global manufacturing PMIs, a weaker U.S. dollar,...
Why “Eat Less, Move More” Fails for Midlife Weight Loss
Midlife women often follow the classic "eat less, move more" mantra yet see stagnant scales because perimenopause and menopause trigger profound physiological shifts. Hormonal fluctuations raise insulin and cortisol, blunt glucose flexibility, and promote fat oxidation over muscle use. Simultaneously,...
Understanding the Physics at the Anode of Sodium-Ion Batteries
Researchers used DFT‑MD simulations on supercomputers to investigate sodium‑ion behavior in hard‑carbon anodes for sodium‑ion batteries. They identified that sodium ions quickly transition from 2D adsorption to 3D quasi‑metallic clusters, with an optimal nanopore diameter of about 1.5 nm for stable...
How AI Found Better Battery Materials Among 14 Million Possibilities
A collaboration between McGill University, Mila‑Quebec, and Université de Montréal built a closed‑loop system that couples high‑throughput robotic synthesis with multi‑objective Bayesian optimization to explore roughly 14.2 million triple‑doped LiCoPO₄ cathode compositions. Using a set‑transformer surrogate and a multi‑task Gaussian process,...
VALORANT Player Xiesta Signs a Four-Year Contract with Gen.G
Gen.G Esports has secured 15‑year‑old prodigy Jung “Xiesta” Si‑hwan on a historic four‑year contract, the longest the South Korean organization has ever signed with a player. Xiesta, a Radiant‑ranked VALORANT talent currently 31st in APAC, earned his reputation through the...
Single-Atom Catalyst Produces Hydrogen and Oxygen Simultaneously, Slashing Costs
Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) scientists have engineered a single‑atom iridium catalyst anchored on a manganese‑nickel‑phytate layered double hydroxide that catalyzes both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on a single electrode. The design...
Levetiracetam Reduces Amyloid-Β Production in the Brain
Researchers report that the FDA‑approved antiepileptic levetiracetam reduces amyloid‑β42 production in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug redirects amyloid precursor protein processing toward the non‑amyloidogenic pathway by modifying synaptic vesicle cycling and increasing surface APP expression. Mass‑spectrometry and electrophysiology...
Nobody Gets Sued but the Doctor: The Legal Vacuum at the Center of the AI Physician Revolution
The episode examines the legal vacuum surrounding AI‑assisted clinical decision‑making, highlighting that while the FDA has cleared over 1,300 AI medical devices, adoption remains low and physicians bear virtually all malpractice liability. Data shows a rapid rise in AI use...
"The 'Burbs" Continues Hot Start on Peacock
Peacock’s mystery‑comedy series “The ‘Burbs” logged nearly one billion minutes of viewing within its first nine days, making it the platform’s #1 original season by reach. Nielsen data shows it ranked #2 among streaming original scripted seasons for minutes viewed during...
Weekly Wrap: Why I Think Indefinite Spectrum Licences Are a Bad Idea
The European Commission’s Digital Networks Act proposes spectrum licences of up to 40 years, or even indefinite duration, a sharp increase from the current 15‑25‑year norm. Mobile operators back the change, arguing it offers long‑term certainty for investment. Critics contend...
Restaurants Challenged to Manage the Cost/Inflation Margin Squeeze in 2026
The U.S. restaurant sector enters 2026 facing a steep cost squeeze, with food and labor expenses 30% above 2019 levels. Operators have raised menu prices 31% since 2020, yet profit margins remain tight at just 3‑5%. Consumer demand is shifting...
Winning 2026: The CPO 45-Second Briefing – “Permanent Beta Mode”
Andrew Bartolini, founder of Ardent Partners, launches a new 45‑second video series titled “Procurement 2026: Big Trends and Predictions.” The inaugural episode, called “Permanent Beta Mode,” highlights the growing overlap between procurement and supply chain functions. The series will unpack 33...
A Concept of Operations for Achieving a Navy Fleet of 500 Ships
Captain George Galdorisi outlines the U.S. Navy’s ambition to field a 500‑ship “hybrid fleet” of 350 crewed vessels and 150 large uncrewed maritime vessels (USVs), emphasizing the need for a concrete concept‑of‑operations (CONOPS) to satisfy congressional requirements. He details ongoing...
Friday Roundtable: ORCA Tap to Pay Begins on Monday
Sound Transit announced that ORCA’s Tap to Pay system will launch on February 23, 2026, allowing riders to tap a credit or debit card—or a mobile wallet such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay—directly at fare readers. The...
Deep Dive: The US Air Force’s Costly ‘Box Cutters’
Air Force maintenance units have spent $1.79 million on 5,166 high‑end combat knives—dubbed “box cutters”—between 2017 and June 2025, despite chronic shortages of essential supplies. The knives were ordered through misclassification that sidestepped normal procurement scrutiny, allowing rapid acquisition across multiple...
Pharma Pulse: J&J’s $1B Cell Therapy Hub and Hims & Hers’ Global Expansion
Johnson & Johnson announced a $1 billion investment to build a next‑generation cell‑therapy manufacturing facility in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, slated to support 500 skilled jobs. The hub is a key element of J&J’s $55 billion U.S. manufacturing, R&D, and technology strategy. Meanwhile,...
What Power Banks Do You Use & Why?
Japan’s transport ministry will ban power‑bank use on all flights starting April 2026, prompting airlines to adjust safety protocols. China has extended its 30‑day visa‑free program to UK and Canadian passport holders through the end of 2026, easing travel barriers. Meanwhile,...
16 Air Assault Demos AI-Enabled Air Manoeuvre Strike
The British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team showcased AI‑enabled reconnaissance‑strike capabilities during a visit by Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker. The demonstration linked new hardware, software and procedures to accelerate target acquisition and air‑delivered...
Inside the Stream: Apple Taps IMAX for F1, YouTube Expands in the UK, Colbert Streams
Apple has teamed with IMAX to broadcast five Formula 1 races across 50 U.S. IMAX theatres, extending its five‑year exclusive F1 rights on Apple TV+. In the United Kingdom, more than half of YouTube’s audience now watches the service on television sets,...
Organizational Readiness, Not Employee Resistance to Change, Is the Biggest Barrier to AI Success
New research from Qualtrics and Celonis shows that employee resistance is no longer the primary obstacle to AI adoption; instead, organizational readiness is. While 52% of workers regularly use AI and 89% of leaders view AI as a competitive opportunity,...
A-4 Pilot Recalls when His Skyhawk Cabin Pressurization Failed at 40000 + Feet During a Test Flight
A Navy A‑4 Skyhawk maintenance test pilot climbed above 40,000 feet to verify the aircraft’s pressure‑breathing cabin system. During the test the pressurization failed, causing a sudden influx of pure liquid oxygen, cockpit flooding and even a watch explosion. The pilot...
Navy Declares IOC for SDB II on Super Hornet
The U.S. Navy has declared initial operational capability for the GBU‑53/B Small Diameter Bomb II on its F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, completing a transition that began with limited use in 2025. The StormBreaker’s tri‑mode seeker—infrared, millimeter‑wave radar and semi‑active laser—enables all‑weather,...
How the Right Communication Skills Help Leaders Restore Productivity and Resolve Team Conflict
The latest Let\'s Grow Leaders podcast episode shows how leaders can convert petty team conflicts into measurable productivity by mastering the right communication techniques. It introduces simple, empathy‑driven phrases and three diagnostic questions that help identify whether a teammate needs...
How to Choose the Right KPIs, Manage Change, and Understand Customer Value (Lean Coffee Talk Ep. 7)
In episode 7 of Lean Coffee Talk, hosts Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh discuss how to select meaningful KPIs, blend change management with Lean, and extract customer‑value lessons from a Starbucks cup stopper. They compare immersion versus percolation coffee brewing to...
Researchers Test SLS of PHB With Biocarbon
Researchers evaluated selective laser sintering of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) blended with a biocarbon filler to assess its viability as a greener powder‑bed material. By varying bed temperature, laser power, scan speed and hatch spacing, they identified a narrower yet manageable sintering...
Time to Tame the Beast? Rethinking Document Production in International Arbitration
The Swiss Arbitration Association User Council issued a whitepaper titled “Taming the Beast” urging tighter limits on document production in international arbitration. It recommends redefining relevance and materiality under the IBA Rules and proposes contractual, tribunal and institutional measures to...
4.2m Eye Health Research Hub Set for North East
A £4.2 million Northern Ophthalmic Research and Innovation Institute (NORI) is being established in North East England to turn routine eye scans into early‑warning tools for serious illnesses. The hub, hosted by the University of Sunderland, will link eye images with...
Bjorn’s Corner: Faster Aircraft Development. Part 28. Development Times.
The Leeham study tracks a seven‑year development cycle for a new 200‑seat airliner, mapping each certification milestone from concept to entry‑into‑service. Modern tools such as 3D CAD, PLM and Digital Twin have trimmed design and documentation effort, but the overall...
Gold Buying Prices in Zimbabwe per Gram/ Ounce, 20 February 2026
Fidelity Gold Refinery published its February 20 2026 gold buying rates for Zimbabwe, listing prices per gram and per troy ounce across several purity categories. The fire‑assay cash price for gold above 100 g is $152.66 per gram ($4,748.26 per ounce), while the...
UK Joins NATO Ballistic Missile Defence Effort
The United Kingdom has joined six NATO allies in a new High Visibility Project aimed at bolstering ballistic missile defence. Announced on 12 February 2026, the initiative will develop and field sensors, interceptors and tactical control systems to plug gaps...
Contango to Raise £5mn for Muchesu Coal Expansion, Debt-Free Transition
London‑listed Contango Holdings announced a £5 million share subscription, funded by Pacific Goal Investments and Huo Investments, to recapitalise the business and erase existing shareholder loans. The deal, priced at a 39 percent premium to the February 12, 2026 mid‑market close, will...
Public Videos: EVPN in MPLS-Based Environments
The article announces that Krzysztof Szarkowicz’s presentation on EVPN in MPLS‑based environments is now publicly available as part of the EVPN Technical Deep Dive webinar series. While EVPN is often discussed alongside VXLAN, its original purpose was to serve as...
Digital Euros and Liquidity Backstops Won’t Dent Dollar Dominance, Says Fed’s Miran
European policymakers are increasingly exploring euro‑denominated stablecoins as a tool to counterbalance the U.S. dollar’s global reach. Federal Reserve official Stephen Miran, however, argues that the dollar’s dominance will persist despite these digital euro initiatives. He points to the depth...
From Readiness to Resilience: Two Decades of Extreme Weather Impacts on US Military Infrastructure
Over the past two decades extreme weather events have surged in frequency and intensity, directly threatening U.S. military installations across coastal, inland, and western regions. Hurricanes such as Katrina, Sandy, and Michael have inflicted multibillion‑dollar damage, while wildfires, floods, and...
It’s Time for an End to Two-Tier Tech in the NHS
The NHS is rapidly adopting AI and patient‑facing tools, yet back‑office staff such as roster managers remain stuck with outdated systems. This digital divide fuels stress, mismatched rotas, and higher temporary‑staff costs, contributing to the wider retention crisis. Trusts that...
China, Afghanistan, and Critical Minerals: Options for U.S. Strategic Competition Below the Threshold of War
Afghanistan has re‑emerged as a venue for great‑power competition below the threshold of war, with China pursuing cautious economic engagement focused on mineral extraction and limited infrastructure projects. U.S. analysis shows Chinese contracts have underperformed and remain exploratory, leaving a...
Inside the Stream – Apple Taps IMAX for F1, YouTube Expands in the UK, Colbert Streams
Apple is expanding its live Formula 1 coverage by partnering with 50 IMAX theatres and integrating the feed into DirecTV’s Apple TV bundle, letting satellite subscribers watch races without launching the app. In the UK, Barb data shows YouTube now ranks as...
Forward-Looking Statements: 9th Cir. Says No Safe Harbor for “Hypothetical Risk Factor”
The Ninth Circuit in Const. Laborers Pension Trust v. Funko held that forward‑looking risk disclosures can lose the PSLRA safe‑harbor when they are framed as present‑state misrepresentations. The panel reasoned that an alleged omission about current inventory failures turns the...
DExit: Evidence From 2025 IPOs
Houlihan Lokey data shows Delaware’s share of IPO incorporations dropped from over 80% (2022‑2024) to just under 62% in 2025, while Nevada rose to nearly 17% and Texas to about 4%. The shift reflects a modest migration of companies to alternative...
Bank of America’s $25 Billion Private Credit Push: Wall Street’s Balance-Sheet Arms Race Moves Into Overdrive
Bank of America announced a $25 billion commitment of its own balance sheet to private credit, marking a decisive shift from traditional bank lending to direct private‑credit exposure. The move underscores the blurring line between banks and alternative asset managers as...
Enforcement: Should You Consider Litigating?
The SEC’s enforcement approach has softened since the 2025 administration change, with corporate penalties falling roughly 30 percent and a greater emphasis on cooperation and remediation. At the same time, the Supreme Court’s pending decision on whether the agency must...
Private Equity: Sponsors Expect to Capitalize on Improved Exit Environment
EY’s latest Private Equity Pulse shows sponsors are increasingly confident about 2026 exits after a resurgence in 2025. Trade sales rebounded sharply, driven by pent‑up strategic demand and stronger board‑level conviction. In total, U.S. firms recorded $481 billion of sales to...
Top.E R1: 5-Axis 3D Printing as an Attack on the Support Structure
The episode examines the Top.E R1, the first desktop 5‑axis AI‑enabled FDM printer, which tilts its build platform up to 30° to print overhangs without traditional support structures. By reducing supports, the printer promises material savings, less post‑processing damage, and...
Are M&A Advisers Worth It?
The episode examines whether hiring M&A advisors adds value for mid‑market business owners, citing a Harvard‑referenced study that finds sellers who use professional advisors achieve roughly a 25% higher valuation premium. It outlines how advisors boost deal outcomes by leveling...
Braemar Hotels & Resorts: HST Four Seasons Sale, Updated Thoughts
Host Hotels & Resorts (HST) announced the sale of its Four Seasons Resort Orlando and Four Seasons Jackson Hole for a combined $1.1 billion, translating to roughly $1.9 million per room key. The deal provides a fresh multiple benchmark for luxury hotel...