Perceived financial hardship strongly predicts depression, especially in high-income households, highlighting that subjective financial stress can worsen mental health even when objective resources are sufficient, with long-lasting effects and limited symptom improvement.

The United States has approved a potential $705 million sale of forty-eight M142 HIMARS to Australia, enhancing Australia’s long-range precision strike capability, homeland defence, and interoperability with U.S. and allied forces.

Australian company GME has developed, and is trialling, a wearable Heat Risk Monitor for the ADF in the Northern Territory; enabling real-time soldier heat stress tracking to improve safety, readiness, and decision-making.

Biotechnology is transforming defence through human enhancement, bio-manufacturing, and dual-use innovation; demanding ethical oversight, strategic integration, and coordination between government, industry, and academia to ensure secure and effective adoption for national and operational advantage.

Owning a dog enhances well-being through routine, companionship, unconditional love, social connection, and emotional support. Despite effort and responsibility, the benefits of increased happiness, purpose, and human connection make dog ownership highly rewarding.

Russia’s economy is struggling under rising war costs with fuel shortages and rationing, as Ukraine’s drones strike deep, making the conflict unsustainable. Demonstrates how technology and persistence can outlast brute force and drone wall effectiveness.

Resilience is the active process of adapting to adversity, not simply bouncing back. Research shows it requires deliberate exposure to challenges, social support, cognitive flexibility, purpose, physical activity, mindfulness, and even a healthy gut microbiome.

NASA selected U.S. Air Force test pilot Major Ross Elder to command its year-long Mars simulation mission, CHAPEA, valuing his engineering expertise, combat-tested decision-making, and leadership under pressure to prepare astronauts for future Mars exploration

Russia’s renewed airspace violations recall Turkey’s 2015 downing of a Russian jet, underscoring NATO’s dilemma—deter provocations decisively without escalating into conflict. Unlike 2015, NATO now shows greater unity, speed, and caution in its responses.

EU leaders in Copenhagen pledged stronger responses to Russia’s hybrid attacks. Denmark and allies will reinforce air defences, support a “drone wall,” and invest long-term in defence industries to counter Russian pressure.