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Defense, politics and public safety make the day’s lead stories

U.S. Military Awards Rocket Lab $190 Million for More Hypersonic Test Launches

Rocket Lab says it has a $190 million Pentagon contract for 20 more HASTE hypersonic test launches over the next four years. The flights are supporting U.S. hypersonic programs, including the Army’s Dark Eagle missile, which is expected to be fielded by late 2026 and is designed to fly above Mach 5 while maneuvering through the atmosphere.

Former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax and wife found dead in apparent murder-suicide

Police say Justin Fairfax, the former Virginia lieutenant governor, shot and killed his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before killing himself at their home in Annandale. Fairfax County police said the deaths happened during an ongoing domestic dispute tied to a messy divorce, and that the couple’s teenage children called 911.

Aston Villa Reach Their Second European Semi-Final in Three Seasons Under Unai Emery

Aston Villa have gone from relegation to England’s second tier ten years ago to a second European semi-final in three seasons under Unai Emery. It’s a sharp turn from hard times to continental regulars, which is a pretty good reboot if you can get it.

Cheap interceptor drones used in Ukraine protected U.S. troops from Iranian Shahed drones

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll told Congress that Merops interceptor drones, first used in Ukraine, were deployed to protect U.S. troops and equipment from Iranian Shahed-136 drones in the Middle East. He said the drones cost about $15,000 each now, could get cheaper with larger orders, and are far less expensive than the targets they destroy. Driscoll also said the Army was able to move quickly because it streamlined its acquisition process, and described Merops as part of a layered air-defense approach.

Justice Department Opens Investigation Into Eric Swalwell After He Steps Down

The Justice Department has opened an investigation into California Democrat Eric Swalwell, according to a source familiar with the matter. The move comes days after he suspended his gubernatorial campaign and resigned from Congress following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

New study says nurses with more cultural knowledge do not always perform better

A new study of nurses in New Zealand found that cultural intelligence is more complicated than it is often sold. Nurses with stronger meta-cognitive cultural intelligence, meaning they were better at reflecting on and adapting their thinking, tended to perform better and report higher job satisfaction. But nurses with higher cultural knowledge alone sometimes performed worse and were less satisfied, suggesting that piling on facts about other cultures does not automatically improve care.

Think tank warns Europe’s defense cloud dependence could leave it vulnerable to a U.S. shutdown

A new warning says most EU countries depend on U.S. cloud services for their defense agencies, creating a potential vulnerability if access were cut off. The concern is that a service shutdown could leave parts of Europe’s defense infrastructure exposed to a foreign supplier’s control.

Tractor-Trailer Hits Overpass Support Beams on I-295 in Mount Laurel, New Jersey

Several lanes of I-295 in Burlington County were blocked Thursday afternoon after a tractor-trailer crashed into overpass support beams in Mount Laurel.

Trader Joe’s shoppers may qualify for payments in $7.4 million settlement over receipt data

Trader Joe’s shoppers could receive money from a $7.4 million settlement over receipts that displayed too much card information.

Campaigners Urge the V&A to Become a Living Wage Employer Before Its Stratford Opening

Campaigners have organized an open letter to the V&A director, calling on the museum group to pay all workers a living wage. The push comes just before V&A East opens in Stratford on Saturday, amid a row over pay that has drawn thousands of supporters.

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