Defense Budget

Business

Standex Hits Inflection Point: Record Margins and $100M+ Growth Forecast Signal Strategic Pivot

Standex International Corporation (NYSE: SXI) capped off its fiscal 2025 with a powerful fourth quarter, announcing record adjusted operating margins of 20.6% and laying out an ambitious roadmap for over $100 million in revenue growth for the coming year. CEO David Dunbar declared a "turning point" for the diversified industrial manufacturer, citing scaled growth drivers in electronics, engineering technologies, and fast-growing markets like grid modernization and defense.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UN Faces 'Imminent Financial Collapse' as U.S. Withholds Funds, Guterres Warns

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning that the United Nations is at risk of running out of cash by July, citing a deepening funding crisis exacerbated by withheld U.S. contributions and systemic budgetary pressures.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UN Faces 'Imminent Financial Collapse,' Guterres Warns in Dire Letter to Member States

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued his starkest warning yet, stating the United Nations' deepening liquidity crisis threatens its operations and risks a financial meltdown, driven by unpaid dues and an antiquated budget rule.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Alaska, Not Greenland, Should Be America's Arctic Security Priority, Publisher Argues

Arctic policy expert Alice Rogoff contends that U.S. strategic focus and resources should shift to fortifying Alaska's defenses rather than pursuing acquisition of Greenland, citing Alaska's superior positioning against potential missile threats.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UN Chief Sounds Alarm Over 'Imminent Financial Collapse' as Funding Crisis Deepens

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns in a confidential letter that the United Nations faces a severe cash crunch, driven by unpaid dues and restrictive budget rules, threatening its operational viability by mid-year.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Iran Draws Red Line on Missile Program as Regional Tensions Simmer

Iran's foreign minister has unequivocally declared the nation's missile and defense capabilities non-negotiable, even as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent a military escalation with the United States. The statement comes amid a complex backdrop of regional mediation and internal unrest.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Iran Signals Openness to U.S. Talks, Draws Red Line on Missile Program

Iran's foreign minister stated readiness for 'fair' negotiations with Washington but firmly ruled out discussing its defense capabilities, as regional powers intensify diplomacy to avert a military confrontation.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

CBO Report: Domestic Troop Deployments in 2025 Nearing $500 Million, With Ongoing Costs Looming

A new Congressional Budget Office analysis reveals the substantial financial burden of deploying National Guard and active-duty troops to several U.S. cities last year, with monthly costs for continued operations running into the tens of millions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fate of IRS Agent Rests with Jury as Murder Trial Nears Dramatic Close

Brendan Banfield's murder trial reaches its climax Friday with closing arguments after he testified he shot a man he found stabbing his wife. Prosecutors allege an elaborate murder-for-hire plot, while the defense claims a tragic act of self-defense.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Russian Forces Advance in Eastern Ukraine, Seize Three Villages in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia

Russian troops have taken control of three villages across Ukraine's Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, according to a Defense Ministry statement reported by state media. The latest gains come amid intensified fighting along the front lines.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Rheinmetall Secures Multi-Year Hand Grenade Contract with Dutch Military, Expanding European Ammunition Partnership

German defense giant Rheinmetall has inked a significant, multi-year framework agreement to supply the Dutch armed forces with a range of hand grenades, deepening a strategic partnership that now spans artillery shells to infantry ordnance amid heightened European security concerns.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

L3Harris Declares "Best Year Ever," Charts Course with Missile Unit IPO and Strategic Portfolio Shift

Defense contractor L3Harris Technologies capped off a record 2025 with surging orders and a strategic pivot, announcing plans to take its high-growth Missile Solutions unit public in 2026 while securing a novel $1 billion investment from the Department of War to accelerate production.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

General Dynamics Lands $1 Billion Navy Modernization Deal Amid Record Backlog

General Dynamics secures a major multi-year U.S. Navy contract for systems modernization, reinforcing its pivotal role in naval defense and underscoring the strength of its record order backlog amid robust segment performance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Carpenter Technology Soars on Aerospace Demand, Posts Record Q2 Profit and Raises Outlook

Driven by surging demand in aerospace and defense, Carpenter Technology (CRS) announced record-breaking quarterly profitability and raised its full-year forecast, citing constrained supply and favorable long-term pricing agreements.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Ondas Secures Coveted Pentagon 'Blue List' Approval for Optimus Drone, Fueling Investor Debate on Valuation

Ondas Holdings' flagship Optimus drone system has received the Defense Contract Management Agency's critical 'Blue List' certification, clearing it for broader U.S. defense and national security deployment. The milestone has ignited a surge in the company's stock while prompting analysts to scrutinize its long-term path to converting regulatory approval into sustainable revenue.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

U.S. Bets on Rare Earths Diversity with $1.6 Billion Rival Backing, MP Materials Navigates New Policy Landscape

The U.S. government's $1.6 billion commitment to USA Rare Earth signals a strategic pivot towards fostering competition in the critical minerals sector, reducing price supports and introducing new volatility. As policy shifts, industry leader MP Materials counters with record production and expanded magnet manufacturing, highlighting the intensifying race to secure a domestic supply chain for EVs and defense.

Jan 30, 2026

Government Shutdown Disrupts Economic Calendar: Key Jobs Report Delayed

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has postponed the release of January's highly anticipated employment data due to a partial federal funding lapse, marking the latest economic disruption from Washington's budget impasse.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Energy Costs Surge: Households Grapple with Sharp Rise in Gas and Electricity Prices

New federal data reveals a significant year-over-year jump in energy costs for November, with natural gas prices soaring and electricity rates climbing, squeezing household budgets amid fluctuating demand and generation patterns.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Silent Thief: Why Inflation Poses a Unique Threat to Retirees and How to Fight Back

For those on a fixed income, inflation isn't just an economic indicator—it's a direct assault on financial security. Experts warn that failing to plan for rising costs can halve a retiree's purchasing power over decades. Here’s a strategic guide to building a resilient portfolio.

Feb 2, 2026

Navigating Medicare's Maze: Three Costly Misconceptions Retirees Must Unlearn

Millions rely on Medicare, yet common misunderstandings about its coverage rules and costs can lead to significant financial shocks in retirement. We clarify three critical areas where assumptions often prove wrong.

Feb 2, 2026