Russian President Vladimir Putin approved legislation to create a research agency similar to the Pentagon’s DARPA, reported Russia’s state-owned RIA Novosti. The organization, called the Future Research Fund, will fall under the defense ministry and will “sponsor high-risk scientific research and development for defense-related studies which could lead to breakthroughs in defense technology for Russia,” states the new service’s Oct. 17 report. The agency will initially employ about 100 staff members to oversee some 150 research efforts. Putin signed the bill into law on Oct. 16, according to the news service.
The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness revised the Defense Department’s COVID-19 guidelines. The new rules clarify what’s meant by being “up to date” on vaccinations and when personnel must wear masks in vehicles, among other changes.