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KakaoBank Expands Education Program to Prevent Youth Gambling and Financial Harm KakaoBank is launching a public-private partnership to prevent illegal gambling and financial harm among youth.On July 22, KakaoBank announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Education, the Financial Supervisory Service, and the Green Tree Foundation to promote the "Zero Round" project aimed at preventing illegal gambling and financial harm among young people.The "Zero Round" initiative is designed to educate youth about the dangers of illegal gambling and to prevent gambling addiction and financial losses. KakaoBank and the Green Tree Foundation have been collaborating on this project since last year, and this agreement will strengthen ties with educational institutions.KakaoBank previously supported the initiative with a donation of 550 million won to the Green Tree Foundation. The Ministry of Education will be responsible for recruiting and selecting participating schools, while the Financial Supervisory Service will provide advice on financial harm prevention education. The Green Tree Foundation will plan and operate educational programs, including experiential theater.The main components of the program include experiential theater, distribution of prevention materials, self-diagnosis tests for gambling, and prevention guidelines. Notably, the experiential theater will focus on the structural risks of gambling, emphasizing that the odds of winning are "0%" and the potential financial harm that can result, encouraging student participation and discussion.Yoon Ho-young, CEO of KakaoBank, stated, "The issue of youth gambling is not just an individual problem; it can lead to financial harm and crime, making it crucial for the public and private sectors to work together in prevention. We will continue to expand education and social contribution activities to help youth develop a proper financial mindset and protect themselves from the risks of financial crime and gambling."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:44:00 -
U.S. Accelerates Establishment of Investment and Trade Committee with China The United States and China are moving swiftly to establish an investment and trade committee to manage their trade conflicts.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister, in Manila, Philippines, on July 22, as reported by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency on July 23. The two foreign ministers were in Manila to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated, "Both sides recognized that the meeting was practical, positive, and constructive," adding that they agreed to implement important agreements reached by their leaders, enhance the role of political and diplomatic channels, and prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges.According to Bloomberg, Secretary Rubio told reporters after his meeting with Wang that he believes President Xi Jinping views a visit to Washington, D.C., very positively, and they discussed Xi's planned visit to the U.S. in September.Rubio emphasized that the U.S. and China are moving toward establishing the investment and trade committee before Xi's visit, stating, "The investment and trade committee can yield substantial results."The investment and trade committee was agreed upon by the leaders of both countries during their summit in May. The committee will serve as a permanent consultative body to manage and resolve economic conflicts between the two nations. The trade committee will oversee practical discussions on tariffs, exports and imports, and customs, while the investment committee will address U.S. investments in China and Chinese investments in the U.S. If both committees become operational, they are expected to lead to tariff reductions, easing of trade regulations, increased corporate investments, and a rise in trade volume.Additionally, Rubio noted that he did not discuss the allegations of Chinese interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election raised by former President Donald Trump during his conversation with Wang. Trump has claimed that China interfered in the election, but Rubio suggested that there is little likelihood of retaliatory measures against China regarding these allegations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:44:00
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Samsung Electro-Mechanics Secures Additional $2.3 Billion Order for AI Server MLCCs Samsung Electro-Mechanics has signed a supply contract worth approximately 3 billion won (about $2.3 billion) for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) intended for artificial intelligence (AI) servers. This follows a previous contract worth 4.5 billion won, expanding the long-term demand base for high-value components used in AI servers.On July 23, Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced it will supply about $200 million worth of MLCCs for AI servers to a global large enterprise. The contract period runs from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2027.The identity of the client has not been disclosed. The customer for the previous 4.5 billion won contract is believed to be a U.S.-based big tech company, but the current client is only referred to as a 'global large enterprise.' It is unclear whether this order is for additional quantities from an existing customer or a new server and data center client, as the previous contract also kept the client's name confidential due to non-disclosure obligations.MLCCs are components that store electricity and supply it stably to semiconductors while reducing signal interference in circuits. AI servers experience rapid fluctuations in power usage during processing, making the power control capabilities of MLCCs directly impact system performance and stability.AI servers contain more than ten times the number of MLCCs compared to standard servers, with up to 600,000 capacitors installed in a single server rack. These components must be compact yet high-capacity, and they need to withstand high temperatures, high voltages, and board flexing.Samsung Electro-Mechanics is estimated to hold over 40% market share in the AI server MLCC sector. The higher proportion of AI server products compared to the overall MLCC market share is attributed to the company's technological competitiveness in ultra-small, high-capacity products and high-reliability components.Including this latest contract, Samsung Electro-Mechanics has announced a total of approximately 7.5 billion won in supply contracts for AI server MLCCs this year, which corresponds to about 6.6% of its annual revenue for 2025.In May, the company also secured a long-term supply contract for silicon capacitors worth 15 billion won. Silicon capacitors are components that stabilize power within GPU and high-bandwidth memory packages. Together with MLCCs, they are part of a trend to develop high-value passive components for AI infrastructure as a new growth axis.Samsung Electro-Mechanics is in discussions with multiple global clients for additional supply contracts. The company plans to shift from responding to short-term orders to securing production volumes through long-term contracts, focusing on AI and automotive products.Jang Deok-hyun, CEO of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, stated, "This contract is a recognition of the technological capabilities of Samsung Electro-Mechanics' MLCCs as core components of AI infrastructure. We will lead the AI component market by developing next-generation advanced products and establishing a stable supply system."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:40:00
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Woori Bank Partners with Naver Pay to Offer Retirement Pension Consulting 우리은행이 네이버페이와 손잡고 퇴직연금 상담 서비스를 제공한다.우리은행은 네이버페이와 제휴해 개인형IRP 상담 서비스를 출시했다고 23일 밝혔다. 시중은행 가운데 네이버페이와 개인형IRP 상담 서비스를 제공하는 것은 우리은행이 처음이다.이번 서비스는 네이버페이 내 새롭게 마련된 '연금홈'에서 우리은행 연금 상담을 선택해 이용할 수 있다.우리은행 연금 전문 상담사가 비대면으로 개인형IRP 상품 운용 등에 대한 상담을 제공한다. 상담 후 우리WON뱅킹 링크가 전송되면 앱으로 이동해 개인형IRP 가입을 완료할 수 있다.우리은행은 향후 우리WON뱅킹 앱을 거치지 않고 모바일 웹에서 바로 개인형IRP에 가입할 수 있도록 절차를 간소화할 계획이다.서비스 출시를 기념한 신규 가입 이벤트도 진행한다. 오는 10월 30일까지 확정기여형(DC) 퇴직연금과 개인형IRP에 신규 가입하거나 추가 입금, 자동이체를 등록한 고객에게 조건에 따라 최대 3만원 상당의 네이버페이(Npay) 포인트를 지급한다.박의정 우리은행 연금마케팅지원팀장은 "금융소비자가 가장 많이 이용하는 생활 플랫폼에서 쉽고 편리하게 퇴직연금을 시작할 수 있도록 금융 절차를 혁신한 사례"라며 "앞으로도 편리하게 이용할 수 있는 디지털 연금 서비스를 지속적으로 선보이겠다"고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:40:00
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Lotte Cinema to Exclusively Screen TXT VR Concert 'Endless Ride' Lotte Cinema will exclusively screen Tomorrow X Together's third VR concert.The company announced that it will debut the 'Tomorrow X Together VR Concert: Endless Ride' on July 31.'Tomorrow X Together VR Concert: Endless Ride' is a VR concert that recreates the live concert experience using 12K ultra-high-definition technology. Lotte Cinema has prepared a viewing environment that combines its theater infrastructure to enhance the immersive experience for fans.This VR concert will be shown simultaneously at Lotte Cinema World Tower and Hongdae Entrance. The World Tower will be decorated in the 'Endless Ride' theme, featuring photo zones with life-size cutouts of the members, as well as spaces for audiences to enjoy before and after the screening.At Hongdae Entrance, the concert will be screened at Gwang-eum Cinema. This marks the first time VR content will be shown in a sound-specialized theater. Lotte Cinema plans to provide an experience that feels like being at a live concert through enhanced bass sound.Offline events will also be held. Lotte Cinema's Sweet Shop will sell official merchandise and offer weekly special gifts. This aims to cater to fans' desire for multiple viewings and collectibles.Ticket sales for 'Tomorrow X Together VR Concert: Endless Ride' will begin at 2 p.m. on the 23rd. More details can be found on Lotte Cinema's event page.A Lotte Cinema representative stated, “This screening is a unique opportunity to enjoy content that combines the theater's unparalleled infrastructure with VR technology in the most immersive way. We hope that the diverse experience spaces at World Tower and the Gwang-eum Cinema screening at Hongdae Entrance will create a special time for artists and fans to connect more deeply.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:36:00
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HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Develops Key Device for World's Largest Fusion Project HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has completed the assembly of the final vacuum vessel sector module for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), bringing the realization of future fusion energy one step closer.On July 22, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries attended the 'KOREA-ITER Fusion Day' event held at the ITER construction site in Cadarache, southern France. The event was attended by over 150 participants, including officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT, domestic companies, research institutions, and representatives from the ITER international organization. They shared updates on the progress of the ITER construction and discussed international cooperation in the field of fusion.The event celebrated the assembly of the last vacuum vessel sector produced by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which has been combined with thermal shielding and superconducting magnets to form a sector module. This sector module has been moved to the tokamak pit for final assembly and will be combined with eight other sector modules to complete a donut-shaped vacuum vessel weighing approximately 5,000 tons.ITER is an international project involving seven member countries, including South Korea, the European Union, the United States, Japan, China, Russia, and India, to construct the world's largest fusion experimental reactor in Cadarache, France.HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has produced four out of the nine vacuum vessel sectors that make up ITER. After securing contracts for two sectors assigned to South Korea in 2010, the company won additional contracts for two sectors assigned to the European Union in 2016, with all units scheduled for delivery by 2024.The vacuum vessel is a key component of ITER, maintaining a high vacuum environment around plasma heated to over 100 million degrees Celsius. Each vacuum vessel sector is a massive structure, measuring 11.3 meters in height, 6.6 meters in width, and weighing about 400 tons, requiring high precision for accurate assembly. It must also meet stringent quality and safety requirements set by French nuclear pressure vessel regulations, international nuclear technology standards, and the ITER organization.Leveraging its expertise in shipbuilding and offshore plant construction, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries successfully completed the production of the vacuum vessel sectors and received an appreciation plaque at the event for its contributions.In a speech representing participating companies, Won Kwang-sik, Vice President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated, "The successful production and installation of the ITER vacuum vessel sectors demonstrate the technological competitiveness of South Korea's industrial sector and the fruits of international cooperation. We will continue to contribute to the realization of sustainable energy for future generations based on our accumulated technology and experience."Additionally, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has been involved in establishing the domestic fusion research foundation by overseeing the main structural design of the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR), which was completed in 2007, and producing key equipment such as large ultra-high vacuum vessels and cryogenic vessels.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:36:00
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Kolon TissueGene Shares Plunge for Third Day Following Disappointing U.S. Trial Results Kolon TissueGene has seen its shares drop for three consecutive days following disappointing results from a U.S. Phase 3 clinical trial.As of 9:24 a.m. on July 23, Kolon TissueGene's stock was trading at 21,050 won, down 29.95% from the previous trading day. The shares had previously fallen 29.90% and 29.95% on July 21 and 22, respectively, hitting the daily trading limit each day.The sharp decline in stock price is attributed to the top-line results of the Phase 3 clinical trial for the osteoarthritis gene therapy 'TG-C' (formerly Invossa). Kolon TissueGene announced that it failed to demonstrate statistical significance compared to a placebo in the primary endpoints of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).Initially, Kolon TissueGene planned to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) in the first quarter of 2027 based on the results of two Phase 3 trials in the U.S. However, this latest outcome has made delays unavoidable. The market is concerned that the timeline for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval may be pushed back as a result of these findings, leading to increased selling pressure on the stock. Nevertheless, the company stated that the efficacy of TG-C has been consistently confirmed in previous trials, attributing the recent results to an unusually large placebo effect. Kolon TissueGene plans to continue its approval strategy with the FDA based on the results of a second Phase 3 trial expected to be announced in October.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:32:00
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Samsung Semiconductor Division to Implement ChatGPT Enterprise for Enhanced AI Use Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions (DS) division is set to introduce the enterprise version of the generative artificial intelligence (AI) service, ChatGPT Enterprise, by the end of this month. Following an internal data leak incident in 2023, Samsung's semiconductor division had maintained a cautious approach toward the use of external generative AI. The decision to apply enterprise AI in actual operations marks a significant shift. Instead of completely blocking generative AI, the division is transitioning its policy to combine enterprise services with internal management systems while enhancing security controls, given the sensitive nature of the information involved in semiconductor design, processes, equipment, source code, and yield. According to a report from Aju Economy on July 22, Samsung's DS division has signed a corporate contract with OpenAI and is currently proceeding with the necessary steps to implement ChatGPT Enterprise by the end of this month. The initial target for implementation was set for June, but additional security checks regarding semiconductor technology and internal data caused a delay of about a month. A Samsung official stated, "We initially considered a June rollout, but the schedule was adjusted to July. The DS division had more security considerations to review compared to other organizations." Since June 12, all Samsung employees have been allowed to use external generative AI, provided they complete online security training beforehand. However, the DS division conducted separate security reviews due to the critical information related to semiconductor design, manufacturing processes, production equipment, software code, and yield. This led to the decision to implement a corporate service with enhanced data protection and management features rather than a general consumer service. The service Samsung is introducing is OpenAI's ChatGPT Enterprise, which will be provided through a direct corporate contract rather than utilizing a self-developed language model. ChatGPT Enterprise offers enhanced organizational account security and data management features compared to standard generative AI for general users. Samsung expects it to be more effective than existing AI tools in handling large documents, attachments, technical data searches, summaries, and software development support. Previous services reportedly experienced slow processing speeds or operational difficulties when handling large volumes of data simultaneously. With the introduction of ChatGPT Enterprise, semiconductor engineers are likely to utilize it for searching, analyzing, and extracting necessary information from extensive technical documents, research materials, and software code. The semiconductor industry accumulates vast amounts of technical data across various process stages and product lines, with related information dispersed across personal computers, internal servers, shared folders, and databases. This creates a significant demand for integrated search and analysis using generative AI. Choi Byung-ho, a professor at Korea University’s AI Research Institute, explained, "In the past, information could only be searched within databases, but now it can be aggregated from personal PCs, cloud storage, shared folders, and databases, summarized, and linked back to original sources." He added, "Generative AI can perform not only simple searches and summaries but also a certain level of inference, analysis, and prediction based on accumulated information." However, Samsung has not disclosed the extent to which employees can input semiconductor-related data into ChatGPT Enterprise. Sensitive information designated as national core technology or related to semiconductor design, processes, equipment, and yield is likely to be restricted under internal security regulations. Details regarding the operational structure, such as where the service processes and stores data, how external and internal networks are connected, and whether a separate system for accessing internal data will be established, have also not been revealed. The key to implementing enterprise generative AI lies in controlling how information is processed and stored after being input. For semiconductor companies, even a single piece of technical data can directly impact competitiveness, necessitating stricter requirements for server location, data encryption, access rights, and usage record management compared to general businesses. Professor Choi emphasized, "To protect data sovereignty, the first step is to verify where the servers are located. Whether the servers are internal or external, how the data is encrypted, and who can access it are critical security factors." He noted, "Building servers internally and blocking external communications may be the safest approach, but no security technology is 100% foolproof. Ultimately, how well access rights, usage procedures, and post-incident checks are managed determines a company's capabilities." This initiative highlights a shift in Samsung's strategy regarding the use of generative AI. After it was confirmed that some employees in the DS division had input semiconductor equipment-related data, source code, and meeting notes into external ChatGPT, Samsung significantly restricted the use of external generative AI. Subsequently, a separate approval process was established for using external ChatGPT, and the company has also been developing its own AI services to mitigate the risk of internal information leaks. The incident served as a notable example of the security risks associated with generative AI in the global manufacturing sector. As concerns grew that information entered for convenience could be transmitted to external AI providers, Samsung prioritized information protection over generative AI utilization. However, as generative AI rapidly becomes a core tool for software development, document creation, data analysis, and research and development, it appears that a complete ban on its use may hinder operational efficiency and technological competitiveness. Samsung's push to implement enterprise generative AI is interpreted as a strategy to move away from a blanket prohibition on external services and instead combine enhanced security paid services with internal controls to broaden its application scope. Samsung is also expanding its AI-related training. The company is conducting AI transformation (AX) training for key executives, and all employees are required to complete online security training before using external generative AI. To effectively apply AI tools in actual work, it is essential to clearly distinguish between permissible and prohibited information and to verify the accuracy of the results produced. However, there are concerns that simply implementing enterprise AI will not automatically enhance productivity. Without organizing internal data in a format that AI can utilize and removing outdated or duplicate materials, it may be challenging to expect accurate responses. Professor Choi stated, "To apply generative AI in actual work, the process of adequately organizing and processing internal data must occur first. Internal company data often varies in format and version, and even the same information can differ based on the time of writing and department, making it difficult for AI to understand accurately." He added, "What companies want is not a plausible answer but an accurate one. If even one error occurs, it can take considerable time and manpower to verify the results again." The issue of 'hallucination,' where generative AI presents false information as if it were factual, remains a challenge. In semiconductor design or production, the use of incorrect information can impact not just document errors but also development schedules, productivity, and quality control. Professor Choi noted, "Hallucination arises from the structure of generative AI generating responses based on probabilities, making it difficult to eliminate entirely. It is crucial to provide AI with sufficient knowledge about the company and its operations and to ensure it only responds within a reliable data framework to minimize errors." He further suggested, "If AI cannot find sufficient information, it should be programmed to respond with 'I don't know' or to halt operations. A system that also presents the original source and references for the answers provided is necessary." Samsung is also gradually introducing other generative AI services alongside ChatGPT. The coding support service 'Claude Code' was opened to software development personnel in May. Internal notices from Samsung indicate plans to introduce Google's generative AI service 'Gemini' in November. However, this schedule may change based on internal security reviews and system readiness. Industry observers are paying attention to the possibility that Samsung will establish a system to selectively utilize multiple generative AIs, such as ChatGPT Enterprise, Claude Code, and Gemini, based on the characteristics of different tasks. Since each service has different strengths for document search and analysis, software development, and research and development, it may be more effective to apply services according to their intended use rather than relying on a single AI. The introduction of ChatGPT Enterprise by Samsung's DS division is expected to be a test case in finding a balance between the use of generative AI and semiconductor technology security. For this initiative to lead to actual productivity improvements, it is crucial to establish sophisticated operational standards that encompass the scope of input data, access rights, response verification, and accountability in the event of incidents. 2026-07-23 09:28:00
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NH Nonghyup Insurance Introduces Quantum-Resistant Encryption to Enhance Digital Security 농협손해보험이 양자컴퓨터 시대에 대비해 디지털 채널 전반에 차세대 암호기술인 '양자내성암호(PQC)'를 도입했다. 고객 인증부터 전자서명, 거래 승인까지 주요 서비스에 적용해 미래 보안 위협에 선제 대응한다는 전략이다.농협손해보험은 디지털채널 전환사업의 일환으로 양자내성암호 기반 보안체계를 도입했다고 23일 밝혔다.양자내성암호는 초고속 연산 능력을 갖춘 양자컴퓨터로도 해독하기 어려운 수학적 알고리즘을 기반으로 한 차세대 암호 기술이다.최근 금융권에서는 암호화된 데이터를 미리 확보한 뒤 향후 양자컴퓨터로 해독하는 이른바 '선 수집 후 해독' 공격이 새로운 보안 위협으로 부상하고 있다.농협손보는 고객 인증과 전자서명, 중요 정보 입력, 거래 승인 등 디지털 채널 전반의 주요 구간에 해당 기술을 적용했다. 이를 통해 고객정보 보호 수준을 높이고 미래 위협에 대응할 수 있는 보안 환경을 마련했다는 설명이다.농협손보는 이번 사업을 시작으로 향후에는 제로트러스트와 인공지능(AI) 기반 보안체계를 연계해 미래형 디지털 보안 아키텍처를 구축한다는 방침이다.송춘수 농협손해보험 정보보호최고책임자는 "이번 사업을 시작으로 향후 디지털채널 전반과 주요 업무시스템까지 양자내성암호 적용범위를 단계적으로 확대해 고객정보 보호 수준을 지속적으로 강화할 계획"이라고 밝혔다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:20:00
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U.S. House Passes $1.7 Trillion NDAA, Approves Additional Funding for Iran War The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027, which outlines U.S. defense policy and budget expenditures, passed the House of Representatives on July 22. The House also approved a separate budget of $95 billion to cover defense costs incurred from the war in Iran.According to reports from The Washington Post and others, the NDAA, which authorizes $1.15 trillion in defense spending, was approved by a vote of 216 to 212. The vote largely followed party lines, with all but seven Republicans supporting it and all but six Democrats opposing it.This sharp division over the NDAA is unusual, as it has typically received bipartisan support. Democrats criticized the Trump administration for significantly increasing defense spending while cutting social welfare budgets and failing to adequately check the administration's military actions amid the prolonged Iran conflict.In contrast, Republicans argue that substantial defense spending is necessary to support military operations in Iran, improve defense systems, procure military equipment, and increase service members' pay.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee, estimating that costs related to the Iran war could reach approximately $37.5 billion by the end of September. He warned that without prompt additional funding, some military training might need to be scaled back.The NDAA is an annual bill that authorizes the budget and key defense policies for the Department of Defense. However, a separate appropriations bill is required for actual budget execution.The NDAA passed by the House includes provisions that prevent the use of funds to reduce U.S. troop levels in South Korea below 28,500. Notably, it expands restrictions to ensure that budgets allocated under the NDAA and other laws for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 cannot be used for troop reductions. This measure is seen as a response to President Trump's previously mentioned potential troop reductions in South Korea.While the Senate is also considering its own version of the NDAA, progress has been delayed due to Democratic opposition, citing insufficient controls over the Iran war. Both chambers will need to reconcile their respective bills before final approval through a vote and presidential signature.On the same day, the House also passed a $95 billion budget package that includes funding for the Iran war and key policies of the Trump administration, with a vote of 216 to 214. All Democrats opposed the package.The budget includes $60 billion for the Department of Defense and $13 billion for other national security areas, as well as $12 billion for farmer assistance and $10 billion in state grants to implement voter ID verification systems.Republicans are utilizing budget reconciliation procedures to advance the package without Democratic support. This serves as a bridge to cover budget shortfalls resulting from the Iran war until the regular defense budget for fiscal year 2027 is finalized.However, fiscally conservative Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about the lack of budget cuts to offset new spending, and some Republican senators oppose increasing defense spending through the reconciliation process, leaving the final passage uncertain.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:16:00