service members

The US military is disabling advertising trackers on its websites and systems amid concerns the technology could expose the locations and identities of service members, reportedly linked to worries about Iranian targeting of troops. Officials fear ad-tracking data could reveal where personnel browse and live, creating security risks. The move highlights growing concern over how commercial tracking tools can leak sensitive information about military personnel.

A historic church in Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood remains closed after part of its facade collapsed, leaving congregants without a place to worship and demanding answers about repairs and a reopening timeline. Members say they have received little information about the building's condition or when services can safely resume.

The European Commission has announced a new EU critical communication system designed for first responders. The system is intended to improve emergency communication across member states, though details on its rollout, funding and technical capabilities remain limited in the initial announcement.

A data breach at the Defense Manpower Data Center, the Pentagon's personnel agency, has affected roughly 3 million people. SecurityWeek reports the incident compromised personal information held by the agency, which maintains records on US service members and defense personnel. The full scope of the stolen data and who was behind the breach have not been detailed.

The European Commission is working on plans to connect first responders across EU member states, aiming to improve coordination between emergency services during cross-border incidents. The initiative would link police, firefighters and medical teams across the bloc. Details of the proposal remain limited, but it reflects Brussels' broader push to strengthen joint crisis response and civil protection among member countries.

Morris County, New Jersey, held a commemoration honoring local service members who died in the Global War on Terrorism. The county government publicized the tribute, recognizing the sacrifices of fallen military personnel from the area. Residents and officials are marking the service and loss of those killed in post-9/11 operations abroad.

An Air Force major has been recommended for a general court-martial after protesting against President Trump, according to a New York Times report. A general court-martial is the military's most serious level of court-martial, and the case raises questions about service members' rights to free expression and political protest. Observers are debating whether the punishment is proportionate and what it signals for dissent within the armed forces.

Ukraine is rebuilding a network of five military rehabilitation centres as part of NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package. The project, reported by Ukrinform, aims to restore treatment facilities for wounded service members. The news highlights ongoing Western support for Ukraine's defence and medical infrastructure amid the war with Russia.

A US appeals court has ruled that transgender service members currently in the military cannot be removed, but it allowed the government to keep restrictions in place for new transgender recruits. The decision partially preserves existing troops' ability to serve while leaving the door open to limits on future enlistment. The ruling is the latest development in ongoing legal battles over the Trump administration's policy on transgender military service.

The European Union is working on plans to give emergency services a cross-border communications lifeline, aiming to end the radio silence that currently hampers police, firefighters and paramedics operating near national borders. Rescuers often lose contact when crossing into neighbouring countries, slowing coordinated responses to disasters and accidents. Officials want a shared system so responders can communicate seamlessly across the EU.

JMT Technology Group has been announced as a new member company of GovTech, the government technology organisation. The announcement, made via GovTech's news channels, signals the firm's entry into the public-sector technology community. JMT Technology Group provides technology consulting and services, and its membership suggests it will collaborate on government digital initiatives. Further details about the scope of the partnership were not provided in the announcement.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is again moving to take action against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly over comments Kelly made to the military. Kelly, a retired Navy pilot and current Arizona senator, has faced repeated threats of discipline from Hegseth, who accuses him of improperly encouraging service members to challenge orders. The move has intensified a partisan fight over military loyalty and civilian oversight, with Democrats denouncing it as political retaliation against a veteran lawmaker.

The Pentagon is sharply reducing Patriot Express flights to Japan, citing a drop in demand for military passenger air service. The Patriot Express, a charter service long used by US service members and their families traveling to and from overseas assignments, will see its Japan routes scaled back. The cuts affect military families who rely on the subsidized flights for permanent change-of-station moves.

An obituary notice for Mary Moffitt of Plano, Texas, has been published under a 2026 date by the Dallas News. Death notices are commonly shared and searched by friends, family and community members, driving local attention to the announcement.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has discussed how European countries can provide systemic, long-term support for Ukrainian veterans of the war with Russia. The debate focuses on coordinated rehabilitation, healthcare, and reintegration measures across the continent rather than piecemeal national efforts, reflecting the growing number of Ukrainian service members wounded or demobilised since 2022.

A subsidiary of Akiak has been awarded a $43 million bridge contract by the Defense Health Agency to provide Technology Life Cycle Support services. The award, reported by government contracting news outlet OrangeSlices AI, covers interim support while a follow-on competitive contract is expected. The deal underscores continued federal investment in healthcare IT and lifecycle management for the agency that oversees care for US service members.

The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame is hosting a conversation with Conal Fagan, a member of the class of 2021, under the title 'Sport, Service & the Common Good'. The event will explore how athletics connects with service and peacebuilding, drawing on Fagan's experience as a Notre Dame graduate associated with the institute's work.