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Proofcraft announced that formal verification confirming that the seL4 microkernel enforces confidentiality on the AArch64 architecture is now complete, following earlier verification of functional correctness and integrity. The proof, developed under DARPA’s PROVERS program with continued support from the UK National Cyber Security Centre, demonstrates that an application running atop seL4 cannot learn information without explicit authorization. In a presentation at the 41st Annual Symposium on Logic in Computer Science (LICS) in Lisbon, the paper ‘The Algebra of Iterative Constructions’ by Kevin Batz, Benjamin Lucien Kaminski, Lucas Kehrer, Gerwin Klein, Henning Urbat and Todd Schmid introduced an algebraic framework for reasoning about fixed‑point constructions, which underpins the Isabelle/HOL implementation used by Proofcraft for the seL4 verification. Proofcraft Chief Scientist Gerwin Klein and Benjamin Kaminski initiated the collaboration at the IFIP Working Group 2.3 meeting in Athens in 2025, resulting in an automated Isabelle/HOL tool that streamlines proof engineering from theory to practical verification. Proofcraft also verified the mixed‑criticality (MCS) configuration of seL4 for the RISC‑V architecture, representing a major addition to the kernel; the verification is scheduled for porting to the Arm 64‑bit architecture as part of DARPA’s PROVERS program. The newly defined seL4 runtime API enables semi‑static domain schedules, allowing system phases such as boot and operational periods to allocate time slices that meet varying timing requirements; the API is implemented, verified and included in seL4 version 15.0.0. Proofcraft’s five‑year anniversary was marked on April 14, 2021, and the company serves as a silver sponsor of the 2026 seL4 summit in Vancouver, scheduled for September 1‑3, 2026. Proofcraft CEO June Andronick delivered a keynote at the Swedish Centre for Cyber Defense and Information Security (CDIS) spring conference in Stockholm on May 21, 2026, alongside August Martens of Mistral AI, discussing formal verification in cybersecurity and digital sovereignty. The completion of the confidentiality proof marks a step toward full formal assurance of seL4 across 64‑bit Arm platforms, while verification work continues on additional architectural support and mixed‑criticality features.
An AI‑guided Russian drone struck a civilian area in Ukraine in July, killing three people, according to the New York Times. The newspaper reported that it was the first known case in which AI both guided a drone and selected a target. Both Russia and Ukraine have experimented with battlefield automation, incorporating AI into drones and other systems. According to the report, the drone was equipped with an Nvidia chip and operated entirely by AI. Ukrainian officials condemned the attack, describing it as a violation of international law, while Russian officials have not publicly commented. The incident raises questions about the role of autonomous systems in conflict and the applicability of existing laws of war.
Kyoto University researchers have built a silicon carbide (SiC) transistor that operates at 600°C using standard ion implantation and a bottom‑gate design, reducing the threshold voltage variation to under 0.1 V at 400°C. Conventional SiC transistors lose performance above roughly 250°C because dopant scattering and substrate leakage degrade threshold stability. The new device pairs a bottom‑gate structure with a double‑well isolation scheme, keeping the implanted junction stable where silicon devices cease to function. The team, led by Mitsuaki Kaneko, Shunya Shibata and Tsunenobu Kimoto, reported the threshold voltage gap of under 0.1 V at 400°C, down from more than 2 V in earlier layouts, and noted that leakage is near the material’s theoretical limit. NASA Glenn Research Center has previously demonstrated SiC JFET circuits operating above 500°C for more than a year and on a simulated Venus surface at 460°C for 60 days without shielding. The Kyoto approach relies on a fabrication step already widely used in commercial fabs, supporting potential mass production. Although SiC is expanding in power devices, high‑temperature logic remains a niche area. The transistor is normally‑on, preventing direct use in complementary logic, but the group plans to develop normally‑off devices to enable low‑power complementary circuits. Long‑term reliability and packaging for extreme environments such as gas turbines or Venus missions remain challenges.
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will raise tariffs on automobiles and auto parts from Canada to 50% effective January 1.
By · 20h ago · Source: bbc
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will raise tariffs on automobiles and auto parts from Canada to 50% effective January 1. The increase follows the collapse of trade negotiations between the United States and Canada that occurred late last week. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the proposal was expected. He accused the president of seeking to damage Canada’s auto industry. He said Canada would resume talks only if the United States approaches with the right attitude. Canadian officials said the United States introduced last‑minute demands they deemed unacceptable, including a clause limiting Canada’s ability to sign trade deals with other countries. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer responded that Canada was the party that made last‑minute changes. Tensions rose as both sides publicly maintained their positions. Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the threat, saying Canada should charge the United States extra for oil, gas, electricity and critical minerals. He added that he would discuss a response with Carney. Trump replied on his social media platform, calling Ford’s remarks bluster and warning that Canada would face worse consequences if it did not fall in line. Canadian data show the country accounts for 60% of US crude oil imports and nearly all of its natural gas exports. Businesses on both sides warned that the new tariffs could raise prices. A clothing retailer in Portland, Oregon, said a Canadian‑made pillow could cost about 50% more, rising to $90. The company plans to keep prices steady while awaiting clarification. The escalation also raises concerns about the future of the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement, which underpins $1.6 trillion in North American trade. Analysts from Oxford Economics warned that a breakdown of the agreement could push Canada into recession and lower its long‑term growth. Canada has announced C$11 billion in funding to build six new icebreakers for the Coast Guard, aiming to open winter shipping routes and diversify its trade relationships.
At the November 2017 meeting of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons in Geneva, attendees discussed the emerging use of artificial intelligence in lethal autonomous systems. Senior researcher Branka Marijan noted that the discussions moved from hypothetical scenarios to real-world applications as the Pentagon pursued AI‑driven drone analysis and as technology firms entered military contracts.
The Convention, which meets twice a year at the United Nations in Geneva, focuses on lethal autonomous weapons. Project Maven, initiated under Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work, began in 2017 to train AI algorithms for drone surveillance analysis. Google was awarded the contract that year, but withdrew in 2018 after employee protest. Microsoft, Amazon, and Palantir later assumed contracts, expanding the system into the Maven Smart System, which now incorporates object detection, large‑scale data analysis, and integration with Anthropic’s Claude chatbot for intelligence queries.
Anthropic has placed two red lines on its technology: a ban on domestic mass surveillance and a prohibition on weapons that can identify, track, and kill targets without human involvement. Although its CEO Dario Amodei says the systems are not ready for fully autonomous weapons, he has expressed support for research into such capabilities and for collaboration with the Department of Defense to improve reliability.
DOD Directive 3000.09, originally issued in 2012 and updated in 2023, defines lethal autonomous weapons as systems that can select and engage targets without further operator intervention and requires that humans retain appropriate judgment over the use of force. Critics argue that the directive’s language creates ambiguity, allowing defensive systems such as the Phalanx CIWS to meet the definition of autonomy and that AI compresses kill chains to seconds, raising concerns about compliance with international humanitarian law.
International efforts through the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots have made limited progress, with no consensus on a formal definition of lethal autonomous weapons and limited participation from major powers. The ongoing debate highlights challenges in balancing rapid AI adoption in military operations with accountability, legal constraints, and differing views on human oversight in autonomous targeting.
Ukrainian forces carried out a coordinated campaign of strikes against Russian air defense systems and logistics infrastructure in border regions and occupied territories on August 23‑24, 2026, damaging aircraft, radar sites, drone shelters and Ozon warehouses, according to Ukrainian officials and geolocated footage.
The campaign reflects a broader Ukrainian effort to degrade Russian military and economic capacity, while Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on August 24 authorizing the nationalization of private enterprises deemed critical if they fail to protect assets from drone attacks, and announced tax relief measures for affected retailers.
Ukrainian USF Commander Major Robert “Magyar” Brovdi reported strikes on a MiG‑29 fighter, a Ka‑52 helicopter, several radar installations and drone shelters at Millerovo, Rostov Oblast, and in occupied Crimea; the General Staff said additional aircraft and drones were damaged in Krasnodar Krai. Ukrainian forces also hit Ozon logistics centers in Makhachkala, Nevinnomyssk, Enem and other locations, with Ozon confirming fires at sites in Dagestan and Krasnodar Krai.
Russian officials said the strikes have strained the economy; the Ministry of Finance proposed extending tax and insurance payment deadlines for retailers until July 28, 2027, and offered assistance to businesses whose losses exceed five percent of annual income. Milbloggers noted that Ozon and Wildberries together employ over one million sellers and serve 100 million customers, and that Russian authorities may redistribute Ozon logistics and improve air defenses. A source claimed Wildberries seeks government funds to repair strike damage rather than enhance its own security.
Putin extended the term of Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin to August 7, 2027, as part of a broader effort to retain loyal officials and support the nationalization drive, after earlier legal changes that removed mandatory retirement ages for senior appointees.
Russian forces launched two Onyx anti‑ship missiles, six Kh‑31P/Kh‑59 guided missiles and 143 strike drones against Ukraine overnight; Ukrainian air defenses intercepted several missiles and downed a number of drones, while strikes damaged civilian infrastructure in multiple oblasts.
The assessment indicates a sustained Ukrainian campaign of SEAD and logistics attacks, a Russian response involving economic measures and senior personnel appointments, and ongoing missile and drone operations that continue to affect both military and civilian targets.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Ukraine’s Independence Day and announced that the United Kingdom will allow defense contractor MBDA to release classified information on British components of the SCALP long‑range cruise missile. This release permits France and Ukraine to establish local assembly lines for the weapon inside Ukraine. Storm Shadow, the British designation, and SCALP, the French designation, share technology from both nations and are produced by MBDA. The missile has a range exceeding 300 nautical miles in its export configuration, roughly half that distance. Ukraine has used the system to strike high‑value targets far behind the front line. The decision removes a technology‑transfer barrier that had limited local production. Ukraine relies heavily on Western long‑range missiles, and European stockpiles of Storm Shadow and SCALP have been depleted. Local manufacturing could provide a new source of missiles nearer the battlefield and reduce dependence on foreign deliveries. Ukraine is also expanding a domestic long‑range strike industry that includes one‑way attack drones and indigenous cruise missiles such as the FP‑5 Flamingo. Ukrainian officials say the ability to produce Storm Shadow locally would support an asymmetric strategy that relies on technology rather than manpower. The British government’s support is separate from its own Project Brakestop, which seeks low‑cost long‑range weapons without U.S. components. The Kremlin criticized the decision, saying it escalates the conflict, and has withdrawn its ambassador from London. Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the United Kingdom will continue to support Ukraine despite Russian actions.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday lifted a lower‑court injunction that had blocked a state law restricting mail‑in voting. The law, passed in 2023, requires additional verification for mail‑in ballots and limits the number of drop boxes available. The state court had issued a temporary restraining order saying the law violated the state constitution. In a 6‑3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled the lower court lacked standing and that the law does not violate constitutional provisions. State election officials said they will implement the new requirements for the 2026 primary election. Civil rights groups criticized the ruling, saying it could reduce voter turnout, and indicated they will seek further review. The decision comes amid a broader national debate over voting access and election integrity. The ruling sets the stage for additional legal challenges before the upcoming midterm elections.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States is ending its management of the Iranian threat. He announced that all economic ties with Iran will be cut and that any country conducting financial business with Iran will be isolated. The Treasury Department said it has identified networks used by Iran to evade sanctions and has imposed sanctions on nearly 60 entities, individuals and vessels. It designated five sectors – digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping – for sanctions.
Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh said Iran is fully prepared for the sanctions and has a two‑year plan to manage them. He said the government has its own tools and knows how to respond. Madanizadeh added that China and Russia have not accepted the US measures and that other countries are likely to resist them. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said sanctions and pressure tactics are ineffective and that Beijing will protect its interests.
The announcement follows a US declaration of an economic emergency and comes after former President Trump said a whole civilization would die unless Iran agreed to a deal. Mediator Pakistan has called for diplomatic efforts.
The Iranian regime warned that it could halt all oil exports from the region if the conflict continues. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one‑fifth of global oil passes, has been effectively blocked since the conflict began at the end of February.
Bessent said the sanctions aim to restrict revenue for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian regime. He warned that entities assisting Iran cannot claim ignorance. He added that President Trump will contact world leaders to request they stop interacting with the regime.
Analyst David Oxley of Capital Economics said the new sanctions package may have limited short‑term impact on Iranian oil flows because most of Iran's oil is sold to China, which does not recognize US sanctions.
Higher oil prices have increased living costs, with US gasoline prices exceeding $4 per gallon and concerns about affordability ahead of the November mid‑term elections. Brent crude traded at $92 per barrel on Monday.
The US Treasury said it will intervene in the bond market by purchasing government debt to boost demand and lower borrowing rates. The sanctions are part of a broader effort to end the conflict that began after the United States withdrew from the 2018 nuclear agreement and reimposed sanctions.
Indonesia is blanketed by thick smoke from wildfires burning across tens of thousands of hectares of forest and peatland on Borneo, raising health concerns and regional air‑quality alerts. The haze has spread to Malaysia and Singapore, prompting school closures and health warnings.
The fires are largely linked to slash‑and‑burn land‑clearing for palm‑oil plantations, a practice that has persisted for decades. Unusually dry conditions driven by a super El Niño event, expected to peak in September, have accelerated fire spread, with the dry season projected to continue into October.
Health ministry data show emergency‑room visits for respiratory problems have risen to about 5,000 per week since July, compared with 500 earlier in the year. Residents such as Suwadi in Central Kalimantan report visibility reduced to less than five metres and that each breath feels like smoking a cigarette. Some schools have suspended classes, and parents have urged online learning. In Palangka Raya, traffic moved slowly through haze‑filled streets on 20 August 2026. On Tuesday, Kuala Lumpur was recorded as the world’s most polluted city, followed by Jakarta, according to air‑quality monitor IQAir. About 600 schools in Sarawak were closed due to heat and dryness, and Singapore placed the situation on alert. Social media users highlighted fires in Kalimantan, Sumatra, West Papua and Lombok.
Authorities say the El Niño‑driven drought may intensify the blazes, and the dry season is expected to last until November, when rain could extinguish the fires. Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto ordered the revocation of business permits for companies suspected of directing land clearing, and police have arrested 72 individuals accused of deliberately starting fires in Borneo and Sumatra. Forestry ministry data indicate that nearly 94,000 hectares burned nationwide in July alone. Justin Sentian, a climate‑change professor at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, said that prevention must address soil conditions by halting peatland conversion and restoring degraded areas, rather than reacting only after hotspots appear.
Malaysian and Brunei officials have agreed to raise the issue at the Asean forum. In 2015, another El Niño year saw more than 6 million acres burned, producing trans‑boundary haze that again affected Malaysia and Singapore.
The Indonesian government has pledged additional resources, including helicopters and water pumps, to contain the fires. With the dry season expected to continue and no significant rainfall forecast before November, officials warn that the haze may persist, posing ongoing health and environmental challenges.
This edition was assembled from neutral, agent-rewritten summaries of the day's aggregated news.
Why it matters: Every article was reviewed for loaded language, partisan framing, and missing attribution before publication.
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