US government ramps up mass surveillance with help of AI tech, data brokers – and your apps and devices - CTPost
The Trump administration's national policy framework for artificial intelligence, released on March 20, 2026, urges Congress to use grants and tax incentives to fund “wider deployment of AI tools across American industry” and to allow industry and academia to use federal datasets to train AI. Congressional funding is supercharging huge government investments in surveillance tech and data analytics driven by AI, which automates analysis of very large amounts of data.
Decoding the Technofascist Tendency in Palantir's Manifesto - Byline Times
Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, is criticized for its anti-democratic agenda and influence across global governments. Palantir's manifesto is interpreted as a technofascist argument, aiming to convert the private tech sector into a political class with civic authority and promoting the normalization of dangerous AI technology.
NSA appoints Timothy Kosiba as deputy director amid evolving national security priorities
Timothy Kosiba has been appointed as the NSA's Deputy Director, overseeing strategy execution, policy establishment, operations guidance, and senior civilian leadership management. Kosiba's appointment comes as national security priorities evolve, and he is expected to drive and guide critical foreign signals intelligence and cybersecurity missions.
Google CEO Meets Trump Officials on AI Capacity Concerns | Intellectia.AI
Google CEO Sundar Pichai met with Trump administration officials to address Washington's growing concerns about insufficient AI computing power, particularly as cybersecurity threats escalate. The restricted access to Anthropic's Claude Mythos Preview model has raised alarms, with officials worried that in a crisis, the government might lack the necessary tools to patch its software systems. Google's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) cannot be utilized in certain classified contexts, prompting the government to seek ways to expedite the security clearance for TPUs.
US government ramps up mass surveillance with help of AI tech, data brokers – and your apps and devices - Midland Daily News
Congressional funding is supercharging government investments in AI-driven surveillance tech and data analytics, with the Department of Homeland Security receiving $165 billion in yearly funding and Immigration and Customs Enforcement getting about $86 billion. Documents allegedly hacked from Homeland Security reveal a surveillance web that encompasses all Americans, with DHS expanding AI surveillance capabilities through private company contracts. The FBI is buying Americans' data from data brokers, including location histories, to track citizens.
Hangzhou Hik-Vision Digital Technology Co Ltd | AFSC Investigate
Hangzhou Hikvision manufactures surveillance cameras, software, AI systems, and access control technology. Hikvision sells surveillance cameras to the Israeli military, police, and security agencies, including in illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Many Hikvision cameras are equipped with facial and vehicle recognition capabilities, allowing for simultaneous detection of persons, faces, and vehicles.
Inside Palantir's Manifesto: Controversial Ideas on AI, Surveillance & Autonomous Weapons
Data giant Palantir, founded by Peter Thiel and Alex Karp, has shared its vision for the future of US tech, sparking controversy around the world. Palantir's software analyzes data from several US federal agencies, processing biometric and surveillance data, social media posts, and border entry logs to track people in near real-time and even predict crimes.
Is Palantir fit for UK consumption? - The Week
Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, faces opposition due to its rumored use in the Iran conflict and confirmed use in ICE immigration crackdown. The company's aggressive political stance and contracts with the NHS and Ministry of Defence in the UK are also under scrutiny.
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.
Trump is 'surrounded by people who are telling him that he is God' amid feud with Pope Leo
President Trump is reportedly surrounded by right-wing Christian figures who reinforce a perception that he is divinely appointed, contributing to his conflict with Pope Leo XIV. This environment may encourage Trump to view actions perceived as risky by some as consistent with his base's expectations.
Why brands should ignore Trump's latest loyalty test - Fast Company
President Trump signaled that companies forfeiting legally recoverable tariff refunds as a show of loyalty would be 'remembered,' implying potential repercussions for those asserting their rights. This is viewed as a demand for loyalty that companies should resist, as it betrays shareholders and customers.
Hundreds of Christian and Jewish leaders to press faith-based diplomacy on Capitol Hill
Christian and Jewish leaders are gathering in Washington to advocate for stronger ties with Israel and to combat global antisemitism. This interfaith event occurs amidst increasing criticism of Israel and rising antisemitism.
Kazakhstan, Israel Deepen Ties as Astana Moves Toward Abraham Accords
Kazakhstan is deepening ties with Israel and moving towards joining the Abraham Accords, a U.S.-backed initiative to normalize relations between Israel and Muslim-majority countries. President Tokayev affirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to joining the Accords during discussions with his Israeli counterpart.
A REWARD FOR LOYALTY - THISDAYLIVE
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Governor Uba Sani as Renewed Hope Ambassador Deputy Director-General, a move seen as a reward for Sani's tested loyalty and leadership. This appointment highlights the importance of loyalty in Nigeria's political environment.
Texas judge rejects push to let churches make political endorsements - AP News
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to allow churches to endorse political candidates, thwarting efforts by the Trump administration and conservatives to eliminate the Johnson Amendment. The lawsuit, brought by Texas churches and Christian groups, argued that their religious beliefs compelled them to speak about electoral politics.
Artemis Accords: Morocco Strengthens its Presence in Space Diplomacy - Capmad.com
Morocco has officially joined the Artemis Accords, a US-led initiative establishing common principles for peaceful and sustainable space exploration. By becoming the 64th signatory, Morocco affirms its ambition to participate in international space cooperation.
Abraham Accords Continue to Shape Middle East
The Abraham Accords, initiated in 2020, continue to foster normalized relations between Israel and several Muslim states, with Kazakhstan recently joining. While facing challenges due to regional conflicts, the accords have largely remained intact, promoting economic and strategic realignment in the Middle East. Discussions for further expansion, potentially including Saudi Arabia, are ongoing.