Spotify may have intended its 20th anniversary campaign to be a sentimental scroll through users’ listening habits, but the internet had other plans. While some users obsessed over their first streamed song and all-time favourite artists, others fixated on something far shinier: Spotify’s temporary disco ball logo makeover. From limited-edition mascots to seasonal redesigns and nostalgia-fuelled rebrands, brands have long treated their logos as social media profile pictures – swapping them out to signal cultural moments, spark conversation, or simply remind consumers they still know how to have fun. Whether loved, memed, or mildly roasted, these temporary logo revamps often do exactly what they are designed to do: get people talking. Here are some of the brands that gave their logos a fresh coat of sparkle, and got the internet staring right back. Don’t miss: Sorry millennials, Gen Z isn’t reading all that copy 1. American Eagle 2. ChatGPT 3. Dutch Lady Malaysia 4. Facetune 5. FOX One 6. Grammarly 7. Hello Fresh 8. LSKD 9. Rokeby Nutrition 10. SIXT 11. Subway Malaysia  12. Tealive Mart 13. YouTrip Singapore  Related articles: Here are the brands strutting The Devil Wears Prada 2 runway  April Fool’s Day pranks that had us doing double takes this year   Why marketing leaders are ditching polished headshots for AI caricatures source

Ian A. Wright, Amy-Marie Gilpin, & Katherine Warwick, Western Sydney University / The Conversation The fresh air, picturesque vistas, and pristine bush of the Blue Mountains west of Sydney draw millions of visitors a year. Unfortunately, the Blue Mountains are also the site of a controversial investigation into water contamination with “forever chemicals”, also called PFAS. Our recent study investigated long-term PFAS contamination from two incidents, both involving petrol tanker crashes and fires. Both accidents occurred in drinking water catchments, and our study found contamination was present but undetected for 24 and 33 years, respectively. We have searched the international literature and could not find similar examples. PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a broad category of thousands of synthetic chemicals used in numerous consumer and industry products. Exposure to PFAS is associated with a greater risk of several illnesses. Our research shows how vulnerable drinking water supplies are to long-term PFAS contamination. It also shows how contamination can remain hidden due to an absence of PFAS monitoring. Two historical accidents The 1992 petrol tanker accident in the Blue Mountains at Medlow Bath caused PFAS contamination of the local drinking water supply. And 32 years later, it forced the closure of two storage reservoirs. Despite limited data, we identified the source of contamination as a type of foaming material used globally by firefighters to help extinguish burning fuel fires. This foaming substance was mixed with water using perfluorooctane sulfonate, a type of PFAS. Firefighters used this substance to form a foam “blanket” and coat burning materials and extinguish liquid fires. The PFAS foams were used for decades before their harmful human health and environmental impacts were understood. Nine years after the first petrol tanker accident, another fuel tanker crash and fire linked to PFAS contamination occurred in 2000, near Ourimbah on the NSW Central Coast. The fuel tanker was carrying 40,000 litres of fuel, and the crash and fire were triggered by a collision with a car. This resulted in the tragic death of two people. Similar to the Medlow Bath accident, news footage showed water and foam were used to control the blaze. It also showed a foamy runoff draining from the accident. Why are PFAS a problem? PFAS, often called “forever chemicals”, are a broad category of thousands of synthetic chemicals. They are used in numerous products, such as non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, takeaway food packaging and even cosmetics. PFAS molecules don’t easily break down and readily accumulate in the tissues of wildlife across the globe. Exposure to small amounts of PFAS sees the chemicals build up in the vital organs of animals and people. Analysis of human autopsy tissue revealed accumulation of PFAS in the brain, lungs, liver, kidney, and bones. In 2025, an Australian Bureau of Statistics report revealed nearly all Australians have PFAS chemicals accumulating in their bodies. Should we be worried? Exposure to PFAS is associated with a greater risk of several illnesses. These include decreased fertility, higher blood pressure, increased risk of cancer (particularly prostate, kidney and testicular cancers), liver disease, higher cholesterol, and obesity. One of the ways humans are likely to consume PFAS is through eating foods containing PFAS and drinking water. The Upper Blue Mountains water supply serves about 40,000 people, and is operated by Sydney Water Corporation. It reported that one of the most hazardous forms of PFAS, PFOS, reached 16.4 nanograms per litre in the local drinking water on June 25 2024. This is double the safe amount, according to the recently revised Australian drinking water guidelines. Discovery of PFAS triggered the closure of two drinking water reservoirs downstream of the Medlow Bath petrol tanker crash and fire. Although a lack of testing data creates uncertainty, it is likely PFAS contamination was undetected in the Blue Mountains drinking water supply for more than 30 years. What our study showed Our study showed contaminated creek water contained 2,000–2,400ng/L of PFOS in October 2025. This is 250–300 times the maximum safe concentration (less than 8ng/L) recommended by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The Blue Mountains contamination plume extended downstream into Greaves Creek in the upper Blue Mountains. This creek is part of the UNESCO Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, where PFOS levels exceeded aquatic ecosystem guidelines by 100 times. The safe level of PFOS concentration for protection of freshwater species is 0.23ng/L. As far as we know, the PFAS contamination identified in this study has not received any remediation to remove contaminated soil or water. Most PFAS contamination across Australia has occurred at sites where PFAS foam was used in repeated firefighting training activities. Our work shows even single incidents involving PFAS can have long-lasting environmental impacts. Ian A. Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University; Amy-Marie Gilpin, Senior Lecturer in Invertebrate Ecology, Western Sydney University, and Katherine Warwick, PhD Candidate, Western Sydney University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. source

Is life really out there? The Fermi Paradox famously presents a compelling statistical argument as to why life should be abundant throughout the cosmos. Now, a team of scientists from the University of California, Riverside, has devised a new statistical method that could serve as more than a cosmic thought experiment, potentially providing answers to the age-old question. The team discovered that life depends not only on specific molecules, but also on a hidden order that links them. They claim they can statistically detect this organizational principle, potentially allowing them to sniff out signs of alien life from samples of organic chemicals. “Our work demonstrates that life produces molecular mixtures with characteristic patterns that differ from non-life,” Fabian Klenner, UC Riverside assistant professor of planetary sciences and co-author of the study, told Refractor in an interview. “These patterns can clearly be detected using our statistical approach.” Crucially, the UC Riverside team’s method can even be applied to existing datasets, meaning scientists may already be sitting on a treasure trove of existing information that could reveal we are not alone. Narrowing the search parameters for alien life For decades, scientists have looked for biosignatures in the form of molecules that could provide hints regarding the existence of extraterrestrial life. On Mars, for example, NASA’s Perseverance and Curiosity rovers are analyzing rock samples and atmospheric data for organic compounds and other potential signs of ancient microbial life. A new method recently published in Nature Astronomy highlights the significance of molecule order. Specifically, the researchers found that amino acids are consistently more diverse and more evenly distributed when created by a living thing. For fatty acids, the reverse was true. They are less diverse and less evenly distributed when created by life. This “molecular diversity” could serve as a detectable biosignature, the scientists argue. To pinpoint the organizational principle underpinning life, the team “analyzed the diversity of molecular mixtures,” Klenner explained. “Essentially, we asked how many different molecules are present and how evenly they were distributed. “We found that biological systems (life) organize molecules differently than abiotic systems (non-life),” he continued. “The patterns that biological systems produce reflect fundamental principles of life.” Importantly, detecting this molecular order doesn’t require any special instruments. According to Klenner, the team’s findings “could be applied to existing or upcoming missions, providing that these missions detect meaningful relative abundances of related organic molecules.” One mission with the potential to provide such data is NASA’s Europa Clipper, which is bound for Jupiter’s moon Europa. The Europa Clipper spacecraft is due to perform the first of several flybys of Europa in 2031. Once there, it could shed light on Europa’s vast subsurface ocean, which could harbor alien life. “The Surface Dust Analyzer (SUDA) instrument aboard Europa Clipper is capable of detecting abundances of organic molecules,” Klenner told Refractor. “If this instrument detects sufficiently rich suites of organic molecules and their relative abundances, then our approach could test whether those molecular patterns look more consistent with biological or abiotic organization.” Detecting ‘unfamiliar forms of biology’ It’s worth noting that the UC Riverside team’s approach won’t single-handedly confirm the existence of alien life. “Our approach is part of a broader biosignature framework,” Klenner said. “No single signature is likely to be definite proof on its own when it comes to the detection of potential life beyond Earth.” Still, the method could allow scientists to cast a wider net, enabling the discovery of forms of alien life that may have otherwise remained undetected. This is down to the fact that the method focuses on the order of molecules, rather than the specific types of molecules typically associated with life. “Our approach focuses on the organizational structure of molecules,” Klenner said. “In principle, this could make the method more sensitive to unfamiliar forms of biology, providing that they also organize molecules in ways that differ from abiotic processes.” As it takes a statistical approach, the method could also be applied to vast amounts of archival data. As Klenner noted, the approach is “computational and does not require a dedicated new instrument. If existing datasets contain sufficient molecular abundance information, then our diversity-based approach could be applied.” This in itself greatly increases the likelihood of the method successfully detecting life, as it can draw from a wealth of existing data. With the UC Riverside team’s new method, the chances of making a seismic discovery – whether through James Webb, SETI, or Europa Clipper data – are now incrementally higher. We may be one important step closer to finally proving we are not alone. This research was published in Nature Astronomy. Source: University of California, Riverside Fact-checked by Mike McRae source

So this is what a Harley-Davidson Bagger would look like if BMW Motorrad made it. Not too shabby! BMW recently took to the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como to unveil the Vision K18 concept motorcycle, and it’s got the motorcycle industry on notice. First off, I have to mention this with an aching heart: the Vision K18 is not a production model. It’s a concept motorcycle. “With the BMW Motorrad Vision K18,” Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW Motorrad, says, “we show how we interpret performance, luxury, and emotion in a new, very confident way.” All of that’s basically gibberish for “we’re only building one, and you can’t have it.” But scratch the surface, and there’s a very real possibility BMW may be hinting at something here… Possibly a new styling direction for the future? The Vision K18 sports six exhaust pipesBMW As with many concepts, official details are slim. All BMW has revealed with its press release is the 1,800cc engine, which BMW says is at the core of the entire concept – and “hydraulically lowerable suspension.” The first of these is far more significant in a production-bike sense than the latter. That’s because BMW’s current six-cylinder engine displaces a paltry 1,649cc. That motor produces 91 horsepower and 116 lb-ft (157 Nm) of torque and comes only on BMW’s touring motorcycles as of now. A bigger, badder bagger based on a beefed-up engine from that platform? That captures the imagination! Next up, the suspension, which honestly already does an awful lot on production Beemers like the R 1300 GS and GSA. These run an optional ‘adaptive ride height’ system that automatically dials off preload to effectively lower the seat height and make it simpler for riders to reach the ground. A very handy addition, as anyone who’s sat on one of these skyscrapers with regular-length legs can attest. But as CycleWorld points out, the Vision K18 concept might instead use something similar to BMW’s Dynamic Chassis Adjustment. This setup, found on the R 1300 RT, serves the opposite purpose of adaptive ride height. The Vision K18 also sports hydraulically lowerable suspensionBMW Yeah, that’s right – the preload adjusters raise the motorcycle’s rear, increasing ride height to change the geometry and improve cornering clearance when you’re moving. Why? Because Baggers are awfully low to begin with. It’s the look. Checking out the photos, you’ll almost instantly notice the gaping (six!) exhaust pipes showing off its ribald cylinder count. It also has an equal number of intake ducts that feed the air via a clearly noticeable air filter placed where a petrol tank would typically be. Aviation serves as a big inspiration for the design. The concept is based on BMW’s emphasis on long-distance travel, drawing inspiration from high-speed aircraft like the Concorde supersonic airliner. Its low slung style is meant to resemble an arrow. Here’s another gallery of extra Vision K18 images, click to scroll through. The Vision K18 is a one-off concept by BMW BMW 1/6 The Vision K18 is a one-off concept by BMW BMW 2/6 The Vision K18 sports six exhaust pipes BMW 3/6 The Vision K18 is powered by an 1,800cc motor BMW 4/6 It’s finished in aluminium and carbon fibre BMW 5/6 Does the Vision K18 hint at future BMW styling? BMW 6/6 The Vision K18 also sports hydraulically lowerable suspension BMW Of course, there’s extensive use of aluminum and forged carbon in the bodywork, giving the bike a nice metallic appearance that is intended to resemble a vintage Formula 1 exhaust header. And don’t forget, it’s based on the R18. So, a production Bagger model isn’t entirely impossible… Just highly improbable at this stage. It’s likely just BMW saying it could always do something like this if it wanted to. And who knows, maybe one day it might! Source: BMW source

Guinness is tapping into football fandom this summer with a new campaign titled The world’s cup, celebrating the rituals, pubs and people that turn match days into communal experiences. Timed to coincide with a summer packed with football action in the US, the campaign pays homage to Guinness’ 1990 ad “The world’s cup… well in hand”, which debuted during Ireland’s first appearance on the world football stage. The campaign tagline has also been paired with a new film remixing another iconic Guinness creative moment, “Guinness singing pints”. The original 2023 campaign promoted Guinness 0.0 for St Patrick’s Day and featured pints singing along to Bonnie Tyler’s classic Holding Out for a Hero. In the latest iteration, the creamy pint heads swap singing for football fever, shouting “goooooal” instead. The brand said the campaign aims to spotlight how football brings people together, from local pubs and living rooms to packed bars filled with strangers turned teammates by the final whistle. Don’t miss: How adidas turned backyard football into World Cup mythology As the official beer partner of the Premier League, Guinness is rolling out a series of activations across the US as part of the campaign. Among them is a collaboration with Art of Football, which will see the launch of a limited-edition football jersey available exclusively in North America from 8 June. The jersey is priced at US$81 and will be sold through Art of Football. The campaign will also include out-of-home and social content highlighting bartenders and pub staff across cities including Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and San Francisco. The individuals featured will appear wearing the limited-edition jerseys while sharing their personal game-day rituals. In tandem, Guinness has unveiled limited-edition football-themed packaging for its Guinness Draught Stout. The packaging was designed by graphic designer Sophia Yeshi and features the brand’s signature black-and-cream colour palette accented with green and blue touches. The packs are now available nationwide in four-pack and eight-pack formats for a limited time. Guinness added that more football-related activations and limited-edition innovations tied to the campaign will be unveiled in the coming weeks through its social channels. “Soccer is at its best when everyone feels part of it, and Guinness has always stood for that same spirit of togetherness. Whether you’re an avid supporter or simply here for a good time, Guinness makes game day feel more welcoming, more connected and more memorable” said Karissa Downer, director of Guinness. She added, “With ‘The world’s cup,’ we are celebrating the pubs, pints and bartenders who turn every match into a moment worth sharing. The beautiful game deserves a beautiful pint and a room full of fans to enjoy it with.” The latest push also builds on Guinness’ wider football marketing efforts locally. Last year, Guinness Malaysia launched Guinness Clubhouse in Kuala Lumpur, a football-themed stay experience designed around Premier League match nights. Spanning three storeys, the activation featured live match screenings on a giant projector with surround sound alongside branded fan experiences aimed at turning football viewing into a more immersive community event. Prior to that, Guinness kicked off the 2025/26 Premier League season in Singapore through a local-first collaboration with Singaporean illustrator Tobyato. The campaign saw the launch of limited-edition jerseys and merchandise distributed across coffee shops, bars, supermarkets, online platforms and delivery apps. Speaking to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE at the time, Gerald Yeo said the collaboration reflected Guinness’ ambition to connect more meaningfully with local football fans and the wider culture surrounding the sport. Related articles: Coca-Cola pops the lid on fan emotions in high-drama World Cup film  Get paid to watch the World Cup? Yes, it’s a real job  LEGO builds its own World Cup lineup of football heavyweights  source

If you’re a fan of Buster Keaton’s 1928 silent film The Cameraman, and are intrigued by his portrayal of a street photographer who processes his own film, then you might want to check out the Alfie BOXX camera currently on Kickstarter. The BOXX, a retro-inspired handcrafted wooden camera, combines the spirit of slow methodical 19th-century photography and 21st-century accessibility with an in-camera process that enables black and white 6 x 9-cm (2.36 x 3.54-in) prints to be developed entirely inside the camera body while out in the field. Created by British product designer Dave Faulkner, whose Alfie Tych half-frame camera we previously covered, the BOXX is described by Faulkner as being able to “go from photo composition to printmaking,” and to put a “complete analogue experience in the palm of your hand.” The BOXX, lookin’ dapperAlfie Cameras When fitted with a 100-mm lens, the device measures 139 x 98 x 118 mm (5.47 x 3.86 x 4.65 in). It’s constructed of stained and lacquered hardwood with brass attachments and a sprung back mechanism with a traditional ground glass viewing screen. An interchangeable modular lens system allows for a range of three types of lenses that fit the 75-mm square lens board, which include: Wollaston – a 100-mm f/8-f/32 portrait lens with 1-meter to infinity manual focus based on an 1812 design by William Hyde Wollaston Steinheil Periscopic – a 55-mm f/16 wide-angle lens based an 1865 Steinheil of Germany design that was popular in folding cameras that is manually adjustable from 50 cm to infinity Pinhole – a 65-mm f/190 pinhole lens with a magnetic shutter and preview aperture for that experimental soft focus camera obscura effect There are also standard sized 1/4-inch tripod mounts on the side and bottom of the BOXX camera, allowing the user to shoot in portrait or landscape format if desired. A photo of Dave Faulkner, taken with the BOXXAlfie Cameras Exposure is done manually by way of the lens cap for the 55-mm and 100-mm lenses (as there is no shutter) to enable an accurate distance for focussing, just like how the early photo pioneers did. Once the composition is ready for capture, users attach the magnetic Pocket Darkroom film holder onto the BOXX to expose the image directly onto the black and white photo paper and then develop the prints with a four-step black and white reversal process that uses about 10 ml of chemicals to create positive 6 x 9-cm prints without the need of a darkroom. To ease the novice mind, an in-depth guide book with videos is available with all the steps needed to achieve the best results for those inexperienced with darkroom processing. The complete BOXX packageAlfie Cameras Included with each BOXX camera reward is a 25-pack of pre-cut photo paper and a four-pack of 10-ml labeled syringes to hold the photo chemicals. The Adox Black and White Reversal Kits for film development have adapted instructions for use with photographic paper and are an add-on purchase, though other brands are compatible according to Faulkner. Additional paper packs can be ordered after Kickstarter fulfillment, but you can cut down your own large sheets of photographic paper to fit the holder. The Alfie BOXX camera with included pinhole lens goes for a pledge of £176 (about US$237). Manufacturing is planned for summer 2026 (Northern Hemisphere) with expected delivery this fall if Kickstarter funding goals are achieved. Source: Kickstarter source

Advances in understanding of neuron activity and adaptation during squirrel hibernation could help inform stroke treatment and recovery. Ground squirrels have an impressive ability to bounce back from brain damage incurred during winter hibernation, and a new study shows that this neuroplasticity appears to be a “brain-wide phenomenon” – a discovery researchers say could be a positive step toward understanding how to aid stroke recovery in humans. The study, published today in the Society for Neuroscience’s JNeurosci journal, demonstrates for the first time that structural changes to neurons in the squirrel’s primary visual cortex during hibernation may be reversible. Study author Hendrikje Nienborg, from the National Eye Institute, said that studies on neuroplasticity in touch-processing areas of the squirrel brain – including the hippocampus, somatosensory cortex, and thalamus – suggest that a similar mechanism might be at work in the part of the brain linked to visual information-processing. When a ground squirrel powers down for the winter, its body temperature plummets, its heart rate drops to just a few beats per minute, its metabolism slows, and breathing becomes almost imperceptible. What’s more, its brain activity goes very quiet. In short, hibernation puts the squirrel in airplane mode. Neurologically speaking, a hibernating squirrel’s brain has something in common with that of a stroke victim: oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain cells are greatly reduced. The difference is that the squirrel’s brain cells are able to recover. Understanding how squirrels rebound from a state of prolonged torpor could yield important new insights into treatment for conditions linked to neuron damage or impairment in humans, such as strokes. It could also go some way toward unlocking the holy grail of stroke research: endogenous repair of damaged neurons in human brains. Researchers dissected squirrel brains to establish how two types of neurons react to the torpor (deep sleep) phase of hibernation, as well as during the 12- to 24-hour inter-torpor arousal periods, in which the squirrel’s deep-sleep state is disrupted. One neuron type showed structural changes during deep hibernation. These were resolved within 90 minutes of the squirrel being roused from its slumber, however. Six months on, it was not even possible to tell the squirrel had hibernated. Earlier studies have shown hibernating squirrels undergo a massive increase in Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) protein binding – a process referred to as SUMOylation – which protects their brain cells from damage. “We know these structural changes have implications for neural communication, learning, and recovery after conditions like stroke,” Nienborg said. “To see that there is a mechanism in the brains of these hibernating animals that [is so quick to change] is exciting because if we can figure out how to leverage this mechanism, we can potentially help human adult brains be more [adaptable] too, especially during recovery after stroke.” Globally, strokes are the third leading cause of death, and a key driver of long-term disability. Around 80% of these are ischemic strokes, which are caused by a clot cutting off blood flow and preventing critical oxygen from reaching other parts of the brain, bringing about cell death. Stroke recovery in humans largely requires new neural connections and the reorganization of existing neurons. This allows patients to regain critical functions such as swallowing, speech, and walking. Nienborg says now that they have more information about the structural changes neurons undergo, scientists have a better idea of what to explore in future studies. “We know a lot about how brain areas support visual processing,” she said. “So exploring functional changes in the visual brains of squirrels is a very likely next step.” This research was published in JNeurosci. Fact-checked by Mike McRae source

Weber Shandwick’s senior vice president, head of communications and business development, APAC, Farah Zuber (pictured), is stepping down from the role, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE understands. In her role, Zuber led the agency’s communications and business growth strategy across Asia Pacific, working closely with market leaders to strengthen Weber Shandwick’s positioning, drive new business opportunities and accelerate client growth across the region. She reported directly to Tyler Kim, formerly APAC CEO of the agency. Zuber first joined Weber Shandwick in 2024 as vice president, head of communications, APAC. According to her LinkedIn, she brought with her more than 15 years of experience in integrated marketing and strategic communications across the region, including a decade spent working across sectors such as oil and gas, technology, digital, energy and property. Don’t miss: Omnicom PR announces new leadership structure with Joanne Wong as APAC CEO Prior to Weber Shandwick, she held roles at Redhill, SPAG, Edelman and ARC Worldwide in Malaysia. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for a statement.  Her departure comes amid a regional restructuring at Omnicom PR Group, which recently unveiled a new leadership structure across Asia Pacific, EMEA and Canada as part of a broader effort to streamline operations across its agency portfolio outside the US and UK. Under the new structure, FleishmanHillard’s Joanne Wong has been elevated to the role of APAC CEO at Omnicom PR, effective 1 July. Weber Shandwick EMEA CEO Hugh Taggart will become Omnicom PR’s EMEA CEO, while Weber Shandwick Canada CEO Greg Power has been appointed Canada CEO for Omnicom PR. The three executives will report directly to Omnicom PR global CEO Chris Foster and oversee all agency brands within their respective regions. At the market level, Omnicom PR is also consolidating leadership responsibilities across several countries. According to media reports, Weber Shandwick Singapore leader Carolyn Devanayagam and Weber Shandwick Korea leader Elizabeth Bae are among those taking on expanded Omnicom PR leadership roles. The restructuring is also expected to result in several senior regional roles being eliminated. This includes the Weber Shandwick Asia Pacific CEO role previously held by Kim, as well as the Golin regional president role held by Darren Burns. Related articles:  Omnicom PR reportedly restructures agency portfolio  Omnicom PR Group SG names new SVP and managing director Omnicom Advertising Asia unveils regional leadership team  source

The British Army is packing a lot of firepower into a very small chassis by placing an order for 72 Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH 155) systems mounted on alarmingly compact Boxer armored vehicles that are practically dwarfed by the remotely operated guns sitting on top of them. Even good intentions can have unavoidable consequences, as the British government has learned. To help combat the Russian invasion, the British Army sent its entire inventory of 68 AS90 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. That was all very noble in the eyes of some, but it produced the obvious result – when you give all your artillery away, you don’t have any left for yourself. That isn’t quite as lacking in foresight as it might seem at first glance, however, as the AS90 howitzers were Cold War relics already slated for decommissioning by 2030. However, Whitehall does have an annoying tendency to dispose of vital military equipment at the drop of a hat – or worse, before a replacement has been secured. As a result, the British Armed Forces in the 21st century have had to spend years at a stretch without aircraft carriers, command and reconnaissance planes, STOVL fighter jets, assault ships and more because No. 10 was in an almighty hurry to scrap the present ones before the new ones were even ordered. RCH 155 Since 2024, a similar situation has faced the Army when it comes to artillery. Giving the AS90s to Ukraine has produced an uncomfortable gap that needs filling, so the call went out to vendors to come up with a proper replacement. The one opted for is the RCH 155. Built as a joint venture between KNDS and Rheinmetall, it’s not only a replacement but a significant shift in mobile artillery to meet the challenges of the changing geopolitical situation. The first thing that comes to mind when looking at the new gun is that the whole setup seems completely out of proportion. The RCH 155 looks ridiculously large compared to the Boxer 8×8 Armoured Vehicle that it sits on top of. It resembles nothing so much as a deck gun off a frigate with too long a barrel sitting on the back of a pickup truck. However, there is a definite logic behind this seemingly mad design. The turret is completely unmanned and remote controlledARTEC The departure from conventional design is based on discarding the traditional self-propelled artillery philosophy where the vehicle is a single, heavily armored, tank-like platform. In contrast, the RCH 155 is modular, with the vehicle chassis and autonomous gun system designed independently of one another. That allows for much greater flexibility in the final configuration and a more mobile and agile end product. Traditional tracked vehicles require heavy equipment transporters or rail infrastructure to move long distances without wearing out their tracks and transmissions. In contrast, the Boxer can self-deploy over roads exceeding 435 miles (700 km) at speeds of up to 60 mph (100 km/h). This allows the gun to be shifted at a moment’s notice. Using the Boxer platform also means the vehicle can effectively be transformed into an artillery system simply by installing the appropriate module. The Boxer’s chassis, engine, and drivetrain are standardized and can be repaired or replaced relatively quickly. Meanwhile, the RCH 155’s Autonomous Artillery Gun Module (AGM) is fully automated and can be operated by the crew of two without them having to leave the Boxer’s cab. Shell fuses can be programmed automatically, while a robotic loading arm handles both projectiles and propellant charges. Impressively, the system can even load and fire while the vehicle is moving. The turret can rotate 360°ARTEC By incorporating a new hydro-pneumatic recoil system and a structural interface that absorbs and dissipates the firing energy across the entire 8×8 wheel platform, the Boxer can absorb the shock of firing while driving and there’s no need for the hydraulic stabilizing spades that must be lowered into the ground before firing on conventional guns. This also allows the turret to turn 360° and fire at any angle of elevation, even on sloping terrain. All of this adds up to an artillery system purpose-built for “shoot-and-scoot” warfare. Upon receiving target coordinates, the RCH 155 can aim and fire up to nine rounds in rapid succession before speeding away in around 30 seconds, before enemy artillery has time to return fire. Since it can fire on the move, it’s even more annoying for enemy gunners to deal with. In addition, the system is capable of Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI), where varying barrel elevation and propellant charges allow up to five rounds to follow different ballistic trajectories yet strike the target simultaneously, which tends to be a bit alarming for those on the receiving end. The first vehicles are expected by 2028, with operational deployment by about 2030. “This major investment is defense delivery for the battlefield and for Britain’s economy,” said Defence Secretary John Healey MP. By securing next-generation artillery with Germany, not only are we rearming to strengthen NATO against growing Russian aggression but also creating highly skilled jobs here in Britain. This is what we mean when we say defense is an engine for growth – investment in our security that powers new jobs across the country.” Source: Ministry of Defence source

Mercedes-AMG has pulled out all the stops for its latest performance vehicle. The all-electric GT 4-Door sprints from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 2 seconds, and it even emulates the sound of a thundering V8 while it’s at it. Rather than being a souped-up Mercedes EV, this is built from the ground up on the new AMG.EA architecture that’s intended to burn serious rubber on track asphalt and hit an electronically limited top speed of 186-mph (300 km/h). It’ll take the fight to the Porsche Taycan and other performance-oriented electrics, and will be available in two variants: the GT55 4-Door with 805 hp and 1,328 lb.ft (1,800 Nm) of torque coming later this year, and the beefier GT63 with 1,153 hp and 1,475 lb.ft (2,000 Nm) of torque arriving early in 2027. Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé | Walkaround with Chief Engineer Oliver Wiech There’s a lot going on under the hood to hit those numbers. Crucially, it features three compact and light axial flux motors from British engineering firm Yasa, which Mercedes acquired in 2021. They’ve previously featured in hybrids from Koenigsegg, Ferrari and Lamborghini; this is the first time they’ll power an all-electric production car. With two of these on the rear axle and one at the front, there’s a lot of scope for precise torque vectoring across seven drive modes, and delivering nine different levels of traction control. This electric 4-door coupe is all business, with a 0-60 mph time of just 2 secondsMercedes-Benz The AMG.EA platform features a novel battery developed with inputs from its Formula 1 program. It uses a nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum chemistry, along with an oil-based cooling system that cools the cells. That allows it to sustain high output over extended periods, rather than fizzling out when the batteries get too hot. This 106-kWh battery can dish out 800 volts, promises a maximum range of 432 miles (696 km), and can charge from 10-to-80% in as little as 11 minutes if you can track down a 600-kW charger. The 4-Door’s sleek body styling makes for a remarkably low drag coefficient of 0.22, and you’ll find a large active rear spoiler taking up a lot of the hatch lid. An optional rear diffuser and aerodynamic elements beneath the body help with downforce as the car picks up speed. The 4-Door’s hatch lid features an 8-inch active rear spoilerMercedes-Benz I’m really into the brash styling on this one. The three-pointed star daytime running lights feature prominently in the front fascia, along with illuminated vertical bars in the big frowny grille. The inside is decidedly driver-focused, with an AMG Performance steering wheel, a 10.2-inch driver display and 14-inch central infotainment display taking up most of the dashboard. The center console features three rotary controls for quickly adjusting the car’s throttle response, traction and handling characteristics. The driver-focused cockpit includes an AMG Performance steering wheel and rotary controls for response, handling, and tractionMercedes-Benz Lastly, this is an EV you’ll hear coming. It can deliver the sound of an AMG V8 as you shift through gears and put the pedal to the metal, along with haptic feedback that you’ll feel rumbling in your seat. You’ll want to strap into those sporty seats and hold on to your hat once the motor’s warmed upMercedes-Benz We don’t yet know exactly how much this will cost, but Car and Driver estimates it’ll start at about US$150,000. I imagine the more powerful GT63 will command a higher price, at which point it could give the top-end Taycans a run for their money. Check out the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe here. Source: Mercedes-Benz source