US physics

A new report examines how major technology companies are confronting physical security risks tied to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The analysis also assesses Iran's broader political, economic, and military resilience, and outlines the limits of US military power in the Middle East as the war continues.

Bloomberg reports that driverless trucks may provide a model for how autonomous AI systems can be deployed safely without harming people. The argument is that self-driving freight has operated under strict testing, regulation and limited-use conditions, offering a template for governing more advanced robots. The piece adds to ongoing debate about how to manage AI risks as automation expands into physical industries.

Adam Tooze's Chartbook examines the standstill in the US housing market, where high mortgage rates have locked in both buyers and sellers, and explores the physical constraints on construction. The newsletter also takes in Frederick Taylor's real contribution to industrial management and how US police forces are increasingly participating in deportation efforts. The pieces connect labor, housing costs, and immigration enforcement as linked economic forces.

The US Space Force has reportedly deployed a kinetic-kill laser as part of the defensive systems protecting Cape Canaveral, Florida. The system is described as capable of physically destroying incoming threats rather than merely disabling them. The report has drawn attention among space policy and defense watchers, raising questions about the growing militarization of US launch facilities and the role of directed-energy weapons in homeland defense.

Physics Today examines what is being called the last crisis of US physics, a discussion about the state and future of American physics research. The piece explores the pressures facing the field and its institutions. Readers in the physics community are weighing in on what the crisis means for research and careers.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has announced a $10 million Presidential Fitness School Innovation Challenge, a federal competition aimed at spurring new approaches to youth fitness and physical education in schools. The announcement was published on the department's official site. Details on eligibility, timelines and judging criteria were not included in the initial announcement, and reaction from schools, educators and health advocates has not yet emerged.

Under New York law, rape charges generally require evidence of force or a clear refusal of sex, unless the victim was physically helpless through unconsciousness or mentally incapacitated after being drugged without consent. New York is one of 19 US states with such legal definitions, which critics say leaves many victims without effective protection under the criminal code.

People have started placing 'ghost chairs' outside a Smyths toy store in Greenford, west London, to hold their place in the queue for a product release tomorrow. The practice, long associated with US product launches, involves leaving chairs or placeholders to claim spots without physically waiting. The scenes were shared by a toy collector, drawing surprise that queue-saving culture has now reached the UK.

The US Department of Energy has allocated up to $400 million for its fiscal year 2027 funding call through the Office of Science. The announcement opens opportunities for research institutions seeking federal support in areas overseen by the Office of Science, including basic physical sciences research. Further details on program areas and application timelines have not yet been widely reported.

England have confirmed their starting lineup to face Czechia, with team news announced ahead of the match. The fixture is drawing heavy search interest in the UK, the US and India as fans follow the confirmed XI and expected tactics. Coverage centres on manager selection choices and how the side will line up against a physically strong Czech opponent.

Apple is shutting stores in three states, adding to a growing list of retailers closing locations as malls face a challenging environment. The move highlights ongoing pressure on physical retail, with even high-performing brands rethinking their store footprints as shopping habits shift and mall traffic declines.

A study published in Nature examined how genetic vulnerability and physical activity interact in relation to major depressive disorder, using data from the All of Us Research Program, a large US biomedical database. The findings add to ongoing discussion about how lifestyle factors such as exercise may influence depression risk in people with genetic predisposition.

Marines from Bravo Company completed a Combat Fitness Test, documented in a series of photos released through the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. The test, introduced to replace the old physical fitness test, measures combat-readiness through events such as ammunition can lifts, maneuver-under-fire and a three-mile run under load. The release highlights routine training across US Marine Corps units.

The 169th Force Support Squadron, part of the US Air National Guard's South Carolina-based 169th Fighter Wing, hosted a class to help airmen prepare for their physical fitness assessments. The session reportedly covered training and readiness ahead of official testing, part of ongoing military fitness preparation efforts.

The US National Science Foundation is moving forward with a plan to build what would be the world's most powerful laser, a project that UC Irvine researchers are involved in advancing. The facility would push the frontiers of high-intensity laser science, enabling experiments in fundamental physics that are currently beyond reach. Details on timeline and funding remain limited.

Anthropic has published an analysis of robotics in the US labor market, finding that robots could technically perform 74% of American physical work tasks. However, the same study concludes robots are currently cost-competitive with human workers for only 0.3% of that work. The gap highlights how far robotics must advance economically before widespread automation of manual jobs becomes practical.

The most powerful laser in the United States has secured funding for another five years, extending its operation for research in physics and related fields. The announcement is being reported in science and technology outlets, though details of the funding amount and institution were not specified in the available coverage.

A New York Times report examines whether families have a legal right to physical contact, such as hugs, when visiting relatives in jail. The piece is associated with former San Francisco district attorney Chesa Boudin, whose parents were imprisoned when he was a child. The question touches on prisoner visitation policies and human rights arguments over contact visits in US jails.

HSBC and HANetf have jointly launched Bitcoin ETCs with currency hedging in pounds and euros for European investors. In Europe, ETCs backed by physical or synthetic assets are the main route to crypto exposure, unlike the US, where ETFs dominate. The move broadens institutional access to Bitcoin across the continent.

AdvaMed, the US-based Advanced Medical Technology Association, has published an argument on physical AI in medical technology, contending that hard questions deserve more attention than hype. The piece signals the industry's push to focus regulators, investors and providers on safety, evidence and governance as AI-driven devices and robotics move into clinical settings.

A report claims Bitcoin could respond to the United States' sale of 40 million barrels of oil before any barrels are actually delivered. The idea is that markets price in news instantly, so the announcement itself may move crypto prices rather than the physical transaction. Details on the scale of any expected price impact were not provided.