Federal government unveils new measures to combat extortion – February 19, 2026
FINTRAC will mobilize resources to combat extortion activities and improve information sharing with financial institutions and law enforcement. This signifies increased financial surveillance and enforcement against illicit activities.
Xi Jinping wants a powerful currency. America's war has helped
Xi Jinping aims for a "powerful" currency, promoting the yuan for international transactions and building digital payment rails. This aims to reduce dependence on the US dollar and strengthen financial control.
Xi Jinping Issues Key Directive to Further Consolidate and Apply "Yiwu Development Experience" AASTOCKS Financial News
Xi Jinping issued instructions to consolidate the "Yiwu Development Experience," a successful practice of developing county-level economies in line with local conditions, guiding regions to explore high-quality development paths. This directive emphasizes economic control and planning.
Xi Jinping Issues Key Directive to Further Consolidate and Apply "Yiwu Development Experience"Financial News
Xi Jinping issued instructions to consolidate the "Yiwu Development Experience," a successful practice of developing county-level economies in line with local conditions, guiding regions to explore high-quality development paths. This directive emphasizes economic control and planning.
Met police in talks to buy Palantir AI tech for use in criminal investigations
The Metropolitan police are in talks to buy Palantir's AI technology to automate intelligence analysis for criminal investigations, representing a significant expansion of Palantir's involvement in UK law enforcement. Palantir already supplies experimental AI to Scotland Yard for detecting rogue officers, and this new contract could be worth millions.
Xi Jinping carries out record-breaking punishments inside CCP amid purge of generals: Taiwan intel | Just The News
Xi Jinping carried out a record number of disciplinary actions against CCP members and government officials in 2025, removing top military commanders as he prepares the PLA for war. This indicates increased internal enforcement and control over the military.
Tech magnate Peter Thiel strengthens ties with Milei in Buenos Aires
Peter Thiel met with Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, continuing their relationship. Palantir's technology has been central to tracking and monitoring individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants in the United States, facilitating operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Canada's FINTRAC to Hike Anti-Money Laundering Fines in 2026
Administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) for non-compliance will sharply increase in 2026, aligning Canada's sanctions regime with those in other G7 countries. This aims to encourage robust internal controls and timely reporting of suspicious transactions.
White House Reporter: Put the Temple Mount on the Table as Leverage Against Hamas
White House reporter Jake Turx proposes using the Temple Mount as leverage to disarm Hamas, suggesting that if Hamas refuses to disarm, control of the Temple Mount should be transferred solely to the Jews - potentially paving the way for Third Temple construction. Turx argues this is the one thing Hamas will not sacrifice, making it the ultimate negotiating tool for Trump.
Biblical Prophecy? Video of Red Heifer Ceremony in Israel; A Texan shares his story
For the first time in 2000 years, a Red Heifer was slaughtered and burned in Israel on July 1, 2025, with its ashes gathered, potentially fulfilling prophecy related to rebuilding the Third Temple.
2025 Global Scripture Access
As of August 1, 2025, just 544 of the world's 7,396 living languages remain on the waiting list for Bible translation to begin, with the focus on people in all language communities engaging with God's Word.
Israel signals readiness to escalate in Lebanon as Iran tensions rise
Amid rising tensions with Iran, Israel is signaling its readiness to escalate in Lebanon. The head of the Israeli army's Manpower Directorate stated that Israel is currently facing seven fronts and that Iran, along with its proxies, plans to eliminate the Jewish state.
America Needs a National Digital Identity Strategy
A national digital identity strategy is needed in the US to standardize and govern online trust, enhance privacy, mitigate fraud, and make services easier and fairer, without centralizing identity.
Going Cashless: Central Banks and Digital Currencies
Central banks are grappling with the implications of digital currencies and cashless societies, including the need for regulation and the potential impact on financial access and the role of central banks.
Security Council Reform
Intergovernmental negotiations are ongoing in the General Assembly regarding equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council.
Abraham Accords and their impact on Chinese national security - Modern Diplomacy
The Abraham Accords, starting in 2020, are expanding Israeli influence in Asia, impacting China's strategic interests and national security, especially with Kazakhstan joining in November 2025.
Ray Dalio Warns CBDCs Could Erase Financial Privacy
Investor Ray Dalio warns that CBDCs could eliminate financial privacy, enabling governments to monitor transactions in real-time, apply instant taxes, enforce capital controls, and restrict access for politically disfavored individuals. He raised concerns about the potential for systemic government control over personal finances and the exclusion of certain individuals from the CBDC system.
Kenyan authorities used Israeli tech to crack activist's phone, report claims
Report claims Kenyan authorities utilized Israeli technology to compromise an activist's phone, highlighting the increasing use of sophisticated surveillance tools against dissent.
Blackwater Founder Erik Prince Joins Ukrainian Startup to Unleash AI Drone Swarms
Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, has joined Swarmer, a Ukrainian startup specializing in AI-driven autonomous drone swarms, as non-executive chairman. Swarmer's platform has executed over 100,000 real-world combat missions since April 2024, using machine learning to coordinate drone swarms. Prince aims to leverage his connections to sell Swarmer's technology to the US Department of Defense and NATO allies.
Gujarat Launches India's First CBDC-Based Public Distribution System
The government of Gujarat has launched India's first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS). This system uses digital currency tokens authorized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to improve transparency, reduce corruption, ensure traceability of transactions, and strengthen accountability in subsidy delivery. The CBDC platform was developed by Punjab National Bank under the RBI framework.
Meta Reportedly Set to Launch Divisive 'Facial Recognition' Feature
Meta is reportedly planning to introduce a new facial recognition feature within its smart glasses, enabling wearers to identify people using AI and access their information, raising privacy concerns. The feature, called 'Name Tag,' could potentially identify anyone connected to a Meta platform, making their information readily available.
'Orwellian': Sainsbury's staff using facial recognition tech eject innocent shopper
A shopper was wrongly identified and ejected from a Sainsbury's store due to facial recognition technology, raising concerns about the potential for misidentification and the erosion of privacy.
Data sovereignty: Why East Africa must build its own AI future
Sovereign AI, the ability to build AI using a nation's own infrastructure and governed data is becoming a necessity. It ensures legal compliance with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner while reducing latency. For East Africa's vision of the Silicon Savannah to be realised, their digital intelligence must be built on local foundations.
China's Digital Yuan to Pay Interest in 2026, Defying Global CBDC Norms
China's digital yuan will begin paying interest in 2026, a move that diverges from the global consensus that retail CBDCs should function purely as digital cash. Wallet balances will accrue interest at demand deposit rates and will be covered by China's deposit insurance scheme, similar to bank deposits. This decision aims to encourage wider adoption while limiting risks to commercial banks.
Ten Day Cessation of Hostilities to Enable Peace Negotiations Between Israel and Lebanon
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ten-day cessation of hostilities starting April 16, 2026, to allow for direct negotiations facilitated by the United States, aiming for a comprehensive agreement ensuring lasting security and peace. Both countries affirm they are not at war and commit to good-faith negotiations.
IRS says churches can now endorse political candidates. Miami faith leaders weigh in
The IRS is reversing its policy to allow religious institutions to endorse political candidates without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status, a move that is dividing faith leaders. The IRS sided with the National Religious Broadcasters and two Texas churches in a court filing.
Hezbollah, Israel accuse each other of ceasefire violations ahead of expected new talks in Washington
Hezbollah and Israel are accusing each other of violating the fragile 10-day ceasefire, as ambassadors from both countries prepare for a new round of peace talks in Washington. The IDF accused Hezbollah of launching an attack drone, while Hezbollah claimed to have struck an Israeli artillery position.
Live Updates: Iran attacks ships in Strait of Hormuz as thousands more U.S. forces head for Middle East - CBS News
Hezbollah and Israel accuse each other of ceasefire violations as new peace talks are expected in Washington. President Trump indicated that a second round of peace talks with Iran is possible soon and extended the ceasefire indefinitely.
US Israel Iran War Ceasefire News Live Updates: 'Not to be open-ended':US issues security alert in Lebanon; urges American citizens to leave as risk escalate - The Times of India
The US continues its economic pressure on Iran despite the ceasefire, framing it as a battle between pragmatists and hardliners within Iran. The US military reports directing 31 vessels to turn around as part of the blockade against Iran.
US and Iran in blockade stalemate; Erdogan says war 'starting to weaken Europe'
The US and Iran are in a blockade stalemate, and Turkey's Erdogan says the war is weakening Europe. Lebanon is set to request a truce extension during upcoming talks with Israel.
Trump, other top Republicans read passages in a marathon Bible event
President Donald Trump and many of his leading Christian supporters and top Republicans are taking part in a marathon reading of the Bible in an America 250-themed event. The event is billed as encouraging a “return to the spiritual foundation that has shaped our country.”
Trump encouraged Christians to get political. Now his allies are telling them to stop.
President Donald Trump and his political allies have worked to blur the line between church and state, encouraging Christian faith leaders to speak out on political matters. However, now that some of those leaders are saying things the president doesn't like, the Trump regime apparently wants them to quiet down.