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Treasury Announces the Quantum-Readiness Task Force
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:
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Treasury Announces the Quantum-Readiness Task Force
The U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced the launch of the Quantum-Readiness Task Force, following President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order 14412 establishing guidelines to strengthen cryptographic protections for America's sensitive data, critical infrastructure, and digital economy. The Task Force supports the Administration's efforts to secure American innovation; strengthen supply chains; and ensure U.S. leadership
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:
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Treasury Announces the Quantum-Readiness Task Force
The U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced the launch of the Quantum-Readiness Task Force, following President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order 14412 establishing guidelines to strengthen cryptographic protections for America's sensitive data, critical infrastructure, and digital economy. The Task Force supports the Administration's efforts to secure American innovation; strengthen supply chains; and ensure U.S. leadershipin critical and emerging technologies.
"America must lead in securing the technologies that power our economy," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "This Task Force will help ensure our financial system remains strong, secure, and competitive as new technologies reshape the global landscape."
The Quantum-Readiness Task Force is a public-private initiative to help accelerate the U.S. financial sector's transition to quantum-safe technology in an orderly and operationally resilient manner, building on the G7 Cyber Expert Group roadmap for the transition to post-quantum cryptography. It advances President Trump's cyber agenda by supporting the adoption of post-quantum cryptography and strengthening protections for critical financial infrastructure.
The Task Force will operate through three workstreams: Sector Alignment & PQC Transition; Third-Party & Vendor Readiness; and Digital Assets and Emerging Technology Risk.
Quantum computing has the potential to transform science and technology, but it also poses a long-term cybersecurity challenge because future quantum systems could break many of the cryptographic tools that protect financial data, payment systems, digital identities, and market infrastructure. Transitioning to post-quantum cryptography is essential to protecting U.S. economic security and strengthening the resilience of the financial system.
The Task Force will bring together government, financial institutions, financial market infrastructures, technology providers, and other private-sector leaders to support coordinated preparation for quantum-related cyber risks. It will focus on practical, risk-based approaches to quantum readiness, including identifying critical dependencies, improving cryptographic agility, promoting interoperability, strengthening operational resilience, and addressing implementation challenges related to third-party dependencies and digital assets.
"Quantum computing holds significant promise, but it also presents a serious long-term challenge to the cryptographic tools that underpin the U.S. financial system," said Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Luke Pettit. "The Financial Sector Quantum Readiness Task Force will help ensure that the transition to quantum-safe technology is coordinated, risk-based, and operationally resilient. By bringing together government and industry to lead the transition to quantum-safe finance, the U.S. will strengthen trust in its financial system and reinforce its economic and national security."
"Post-quantum cryptography readiness is no longer a future-proofing exercise--it is a present-day risk control," said Deborah Guild, chair of the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council and head of Technology at PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. "The transition requires organizations to prioritize critical systems and processes, manage dependencies across the financial ecosystem, and address implementation challenges. This task force sets the conditions for industry and government to align priorities and accelerate the transition to post-quantum cryptography."
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Original text here: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0615/
State Dept. Issues Readout of Secretary Rubio Call With German Foreign Minister Wadephul
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following readout by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Secretary Marco Rubio's call with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul:
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
They discussed the importance of a lasting and durable peace between Russia and Ukraine.
They also reiterated the shared U.S.-German commitment to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring Iran never develops or acquires a nuclear weapon.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/08/secretary-rubios-call-with-german-foreign-minister-wadephul-8/
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following readout by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Secretary Marco Rubio's call with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul:
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
They discussed the importance of a lasting and durable peace between Russia and Ukraine.
They also reiterated the shared U.S.-German commitment to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring Iran never develops or acquires a nuclear weapon.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/08/secretary-rubios-call-with-german-foreign-minister-wadephul-8/
Secretary of State Rubio Issues Statement on Ukraine National Day
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following statement by Secretary Marco Rubio on Ukraine National Day:
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On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Ukraine on the 35th anniversary of your independence.
Today, 35 years after Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991, the United States reaffirms the enduring cooperation between our two countries. The United States is committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and continues to work to support a negotiated settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war that establishes a
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following statement by Secretary Marco Rubio on Ukraine National Day:
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On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Ukraine on the 35th anniversary of your independence.
Today, 35 years after Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991, the United States reaffirms the enduring cooperation between our two countries. The United States is committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and continues to work to support a negotiated settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war that establishes alasting and durable peace.
On this Independence Day, as Ukrainians honor their nation's history and celebrate their courage, innovation, and resilience, the United States reinforces its strong commitment to advancing our economic and security ties and forging a path towards peace and prosperity for both of our nations.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/08/ukraine-national-day-2/
Remarks From Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent on Operation Economic Outcast Against Iran
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following remarks on Aug. 24, 2026, by Secretary Bessent on Operation Economic Outcast against Iran:
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As prepared for delivery.
Good afternoon.
Today, at President Trump's direction, the United States Treasury has begun Operation Economic Outcast - an unprecedented campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its enablers.
In the Second World War, D-Day marked the historic beginning of a campaign with our allies to target and drive the enemy from its positions, including those in third countries.
Today, in that
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following remarks on Aug. 24, 2026, by Secretary Bessent on Operation Economic Outcast against Iran:
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As prepared for delivery.
Good afternoon.
Today, at President Trump's direction, the United States Treasury has begun Operation Economic Outcast - an unprecedented campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its enablers.
In the Second World War, D-Day marked the historic beginning of a campaign with our allies to target and drive the enemy from its positions, including those in third countries.
Today, in thatsame spirit, we are launching an economic onslaught against Iran's financial connections around the globe. Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone.
Iran's fanatics devote themselves to "Death to America" and seek nuclear weapons to do just that. They have murdered and maimed more of our citizens and service members than any other terrorist regime on Earth. And they have been at war against America, their neighbors in the Gulf, and much of the world for 47 years.
President Trump has taken action that his predecessors have long deferred. And under his leadership, America is no longer managing the Iranian threat. We are ending it.
Our great armed forces have laid the groundwork for achieving the President's objective of preventing Iran from ever obtaining nuclear weapons. They have shown America's resolve to finally end this threat. And the strength of America's economy under President Trump allows us to wage this sustained financial operation alongside the might of our military.
Iran now faces a very clear choice, with only two paths before them: complete global isolation and a subsistence economy, or a path back to normalcy, with an opportunity to rejoin the global economy.
Today, we are launching Operation Economic Outcast to foreclose every other option available to the Iranian regime.
Treasury has mapped every node, every facilitator, and every network that Iran has used to smuggle oil and evade sanctions.
Beginning today, the actions of Treasury and other agencies will tighten the noose and block every potential source of revenue that funds the IRGC and the Iranian regime. We are enforcing a zero-leakage approach. There will be no minimal breathing space for the regime to rebuild its capacity to inflict terror against America and the world.
The final refuge of this regime is in the mistaken conclusion of nations that still finance the Iranian threat in the hopes of evading it.
It is no longer acceptable to operate in the gray spaces of this conflict. Countries cannot claim that they are blind to enabling this activity.
Iran's enablers purchase and transport its petroleum. They facilitate the flow of its finances through exchange houses and free trade zones.
They welcome Iran's flights and maintain registries on its behalf. They turn a blind eye to seaborne fuel transfers and to overland transits. And they condone the illicit use of their banks, all while concealing the extent of their complicity.
The President is making phone calls to world leaders with specific requests to cease their interactions with the regime.
We are already seeing results.
Over the weekend, comments from Iranian leadership clearly acknowledge the effect of this campaign. And nations that facilitate any interactions with the regime should quickly heed our message. Those who stand with the United States will reap the rewards of our partnership.
Those who tether themselves to Tehran should expect to share in the isolation of a withering regime.
Teams from the Treasury, State Department, and the U.S. military are now meeting with their global counterparts to tell them that the United States expects action. Every country has a defined timeline to shut down activities we have identified. If they do not take action, we will do so unilaterally through Treasury authorities.
For example, every Bank Melli branch must be shuttered.
And let me be clear: any entity that facilitates money laundering on behalf of Iran will be removed from the U.S. dollar system. The clock is ticking.
The new sectoral sanctions determinations issued today target five of Iran's most vital lifelines that it exploits in other countries: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping.
These measures broaden secondary sanctions risk for anyone foolish enough to continue conducting business with this regime--and accelerate the speed with which we pursue them.
As I speak, Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control is also sanctioning over 60 entities, individuals, and vessels across the world that enable the Iranian regime to procure illicit nuclear and missile technology, conduct cyber operations, and generate oil revenue.
This is a sustained campaign to collapse every last option for Iran. Let there be no ambiguity as to the position of the United States: An economic engagement of any kind with this murderous regime will expose those responsible to the full reach of American power.
For decades, this regime has drawn strength from a calculus that regards Iranian retaliation as certain and American enforcement as negotiable. Under President Trump, that era is over.
To the ordinary soldiers supporting this regime: as more and more of your paychecks stop or are supposedly "just delayed," ask whether your commanders are leading your country to triumph or to ruin. And recall that the Berlin Wall fell when ordinary soldiers decided not to shoot.
And to those who enable Tehran: Do not discount the cost of testing Washington. No nation should expect to enjoy the rewards of our system while helping those who seek to destroy it.
It is now time for world leaders to make a decision. Between prosperity and isolation. Peace and terror. America and Iran.
The campaign we begin today will gather force with every day that follows. And it will not end until this regime stands alone.
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Original text here: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0614/
FRCE Earns Eighth CNO Aviation Safety Award
PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command posted the following news release:
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FRCE earns eighth CNO Aviation Safety Award
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C.--A commitment to flight line safety and efficiency has earned Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recognition from the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) with the CNO Aviation Safety Award for fiscal year 2025.
The award, also known as the Navy's Safety "S," is presented annually to Navy and Marine Corps aviation units to honor superior operational performance and mishap prevention efforts throughout
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PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command posted the following news release:
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FRCE earns eighth CNO Aviation Safety Award
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C.--A commitment to flight line safety and efficiency has earned Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recognition from the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) with the CNO Aviation Safety Award for fiscal year 2025.
The award, also known as the Navy's Safety "S," is presented annually to Navy and Marine Corps aviation units to honor superior operational performance and mishap prevention efforts throughoutthe fiscal year. Unlike single-winner awards, this recognition is given to multiple commands across the Navy enterprise that meet the rigorous safety and operational standards set by the Naval Safety Command. FRCE became one of just 48 organizations within the Navy chain of command to receive the accolade for 2025, and one of only two within Naval Air Systems Command.
FRCE Commanding Officer Capt. Randy Berti said this accomplishment was made possible by the hard work and dedication of the depot's workforce coming together in support of the warfighter.
"FRC East's primary mission is to ensure that our nation's Marines, Sailors and Airmen are equipped with the safest, most reliable products," said Berti. "We are committed to maintaining our record of zero flight mishaps and further enhancing our operations through safe practices. Our success is driven by a workforce that has fully embraced our safety management systems, knowing the vital role they play in our nation's defense. This deep-rooted culture of safety not only protects our people but also guarantees that every aircraft, engine and component we deliver is fully mission-ready, every time."
This achievement represents the FRCE's eighth CNO Aviation Safety Award, and the second time since 2013, adding to the command's previous wins in 1984, 1991, 1996, 2004, 2010 and 2023.
In fiscal year 2025, FRCE logged nearly 200 flight hours and returned 81 mission-capable aircraft back to the fleet. This flight line support was delivered across five types of aircraft for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force: the F-35 Lightning II, MV-22B Osprey, MH-53E Sea Stallion, CH-53E Super Stallion and UH-1N Huey.
With a team of only six pilots - four military and two civilian - and five enlisted military aircrew members completed nearly 140 flights in fiscal year 2025. These flights included functional check flights that check the aircraft's systems and performance and ferry deliveries of aircraft as they return to their home squadrons. FRCE H-53 Military Branch Head Marine Capt. Robert McGuire, who serves as the command's aviation safety officer, said of the 140 flights and 200 flight hours, the team experienced no mishaps. McGuire credits this success to the depot's highly effective safety management systems and dedicated workforce.
"As a command, especially one that performs such in-depth maintenance, we do a really good job maintaining the safety of our people and products," said McGuire. "We haven't had a Class A mishap in 28 years, and it's been about 47 years since our last Class B or C mishap. I believe our excellent record is a result of our safety management systems; our employees and leadership continue to work hand-in-hand to foster a safety-first culture that ensures hazards are identified, mitigated and resolved. These efforts are critical in maintaining both a safe working environment and a continued high standard of flight safety once aircraft leave our hangars."
As part of the depot's safety management system, every aircraft, component and part is subjected to rigorous quality and assurance inspections, foreign object debris checks, and general safety inspections. McGuire said he believes these checks, some of which go above and beyond the naval aviation standard, are how FRCE maintains such an excellent aviation safety record.
"Because we do such in-depth maintenance - completely tearing every aircraft, engine and component down to the bolts for overhaul - we also have many mandatory safety checks embedded throughout the maintenance process to ensure everything is working accordingly before it goes back out to the fleet," McGuire said. "Not only do we have our safety team focused on employee safety, but we also have our quality assurance team, logs and records professionals and maintenance controllers who are constantly checking and rechecking the safety of our aircraft and components."
In addition to verifying the safety and quality of the products FRCE maintains, the command has also implemented daily foreign object debris inspections, according to McGuire. He said these inspections are conducted on the flight line, in aircraft hangars and in back shops to ensure workspaces remain free of hazards.
In 2025, FRCE updated its aviation safety management system to further enhance the command's safety policies and procedures, McGuire said.
"Safety is an ongoing thing; changes are always happening to keep up with the best and safest way of doing things," said McGuire. "As of last year, the aviation safety management system was completely overhauled, which included many audits. We have made sure to incorporate all those changes and new information into our local instruction to ensure we have the best system in place to protect our people and the fleet's products."
The command also made upgrades to its facilities, improving lighting and adding freshly painted pavement markings on the depot's flight line to allow for a safer and more efficient working environment, McGuire said.
"In 2025, we installed advanced lighting systems to improve visibility and safety during nighttime operations," said McGuire. "We also repainted all of our taxiway lines and parking spots. They're now easy to see and organized in a way to limit congestion when we have multiple aircraft on our flight line. We also audited our aircraft pickup and drop-off procedures. Because we have a non-standard flight line, we established clear instructions - complete with visual guides and updated wingtip clearances. These improvements are extremely valuable for non-local pilots who have not been here before because they eliminate confusion and drastically lower the risk of a mishap."
Through proactive safety measures, FRCE is able to lower risk and mitigate delays, saving time and maximizing fleet support, McGuire said.
"If we are doing things the safe way the first time, then we are able to avoid having to repeat processes or use extra time to fix mistakes," McGuire said. "Aircraft get back to the fleet sooner, giving them the products they need to enhance readiness even faster. We ensure the maintenance is done properly throughout every step here and because of that, the fleet knows when they get a product from FRC East, they can trust that it's safe to use and is working properly."
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Original text here: https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/FRCE-earns-eighth-CNO-Aviation-Safety-Award/Mon-08242026-0818
DOE and SBA Launch SBIC-E Initiative to Unleash Private Capital for American Innovation and Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Energy issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:
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DOE and SBA Launch SBIC-E Initiative to Unleash Private Capital for American Innovation and Small Businesses
New strategic partnership expands private investment in American small businesses advancing American energy dominance.
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today signed a Memorandum of Agreement establishing the Small Business Investment Company-Energy (SBIC-E) Initiative, a new strategic partnership advancing President Trump's
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Energy issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:
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DOE and SBA Launch SBIC-E Initiative to Unleash Private Capital for American Innovation and Small Businesses
New strategic partnership expands private investment in American small businesses advancing American energy dominance.
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today signed a Memorandum of Agreement establishing the Small Business Investment Company-Energy (SBIC-E) Initiative, a new strategic partnership advancing President Trump'scommitment to supporting America's small businesses, strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chains, and ensuring the United States leads in the technologies critical to our national and economic security.
The new SBIC-E Initiative brings together DOE's scientific and technical expertise with SBA's proven Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program, which currently has $58 billion in combined portfolio value. Since 1958, the SBIC Program has invested $147 billion in American small businesses, and since 1995, SBIC-backed businesses have created or supported 10.6 million jobs.
"America's small businesses drive American innovation and affordable, reliable energy access," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. "By partnering with the Small Business Administration, the Energy Department is committing to invest its resources in American small businesses that will create jobs, strengthen our domestic manufacturing base, and unleash American energy production."
Through DOE's Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC), the Department will identify strategic technology priorities, provide technical and commercialization expertise, and help engage the investment community. SBA, through its Office of Investment and Innovation, will administer the initiative and encourage the formation and growth of investment funds focused on those priorities. SBIC-E adds another tool to that effort by connecting innovators with private capital to help promising technologies grow, scale, and build here at home.
"President Trump is establishing American energy dominance, ending the Green New Scam, and putting our nations' producers and innovators back in control at the dawn of a new era of energy reliability and abundance," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "Through this partnership, the SBA and Department of Energy are strengthening access to capital in the private sector to ensure America's fossil fuels, nuclear, and electric power technology and infrastructure are the most advanced and plentiful in the world. By aligning investment from the proven Small Business Investment Company Program with the DOE's strategic priorities, this Administration will fuel the producers that deliver secure, affordable energy to families and small businesses across our great nation."
Initial investment priorities for the SBIC-E Initiative include technologies supporting:
* American energy production and energy security
* Critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, and advanced materials
* Artificial intelligence, quantum information science, semiconductors, and future computing
* Advanced communications, biotechnology, and other critical and emerging technologies
The initiative also supports investment opportunities involving companies participating in DOE's commercialization and innovation ecosystem, including the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs, ARPA-E, the Technology Commercialization Fund, the Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program, and companies commercializing technologies developed through the Department's National Laboratories.
DOE and SBA will continue engaging with investors, entrepreneurs, and commercialization partners as the initiative develops. Additional information about investment priorities, participation opportunities, and future engagement activities will be available on the SBIC-E Initiative webpage here (https://www.energy.gov/technologycommercialization/small-business-investment-company-energy-sbic-e-initiative).
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Original text here: https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-and-sba-launch-sbic-e-initiative-unleash-private-capital-american-innovation-and-small
BTS Updates Transportation Economic Trends, 3rd Quarter 2026
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics issued the following news:
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BTS Updates Transportation Economic Trends, 3rd Quarter 2026
The U.S. Department of Transportation's, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), released its third quarter 2026 update to the Transportation Economic Trends (TET). TET highlights transportation's role in the economy and explores changes (trends) over time through a series of interactive charts and downloadable data. TET also explains related concepts and data sources for a general audience.
With this
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics issued the following news:
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BTS Updates Transportation Economic Trends, 3rd Quarter 2026
The U.S. Department of Transportation's, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), released its third quarter 2026 update to the Transportation Economic Trends (TET). TET highlights transportation's role in the economy and explores changes (trends) over time through a series of interactive charts and downloadable data. TET also explains related concepts and data sources for a general audience.
With thisdata release, BTS updated the following topics in TET:
* Employment in Transportation: Employment in Transportation and Related Industries
- Total Annual Employment in Transportation and Related Industries by Type of Occupation
- Total Annual Employment in Transportation and Related Industries
- Annual Employment in Transportation and Warehousing by Industry
* Employment in Transportation: Employment in Transportation Related Occupations
- Employment and Wages for Select Transportation Occupations
* Relationship Between the Transportation and Warehousing Sector and Transportation-Related Occupations
* Employment in Transportation: Employment in Transportation Related Occupations by Industry
- Total Transportation and Transportation-related Employment by Industry and Occupation
* Government Transportation Revenues and Expenditures
- Airport and Airway Trust Fund
- Harbor Maintenance Tax and Inland Waterways Trust Fund
* Cost of Transportation: Costs Faced by Households
- Average Commuter Rail Fare
- Fare of all Transit Modes (per unlinked trip)
About the Transportation Economic Trends Database
BTS makes TET data available for download in comma-separated values (CSV), Resource Description Framework (RDF), Really Simple Syndication (RSS), Extensible Markup Language (XML), and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) formats through the BTS Transportation Economic Trends.
Follow BTS on X, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or subscribe to email updates for announcements of additional dataset releases throughout the year.
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Original text here: https://www.bts.gov/newsroom/bts-updates-transportation-economic-trends-3rd-quarter-2026
