Palantir 'AI director' to join NHSE/DHSC board | News | Health Service Journal
Palantir's technology will be used for a new AI-driven decision support tool for NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to improve policymaking. The tool is being trained on an evidence base of successful health policy interventions and will provide context for discussions and identify where decisions need to be made.
Putin orders sweeping security clampdown after attacks on Russian infrastructure
President Vladimir Putin is implementing a security clampdown in Russia, ordering expanded surveillance, stronger defenses, and tighter security at transport hubs and public venues. This follows attacks on Russian infrastructure, with Putin blaming Ukraine and its Western partners. The directive reflects growing concern in Moscow that attacks deep inside Russian territory could intensify, raising the risk of further escalation.
PBOC head urges fintech to secure data - China Daily
Yi Gang, governor of the People's Bank of China, urged better international coordination to protect personal data, especially in areas like antitrust, data regulation, and consumer protection. The PBOC is cracking down on excessive consumer data collection and unfair clauses by fintech companies. Financial institutions must collect, use, and store information following the principle of "minimum necessity" and protect individual privacy.
The Iran war shoots up Peter Thiel and Palantir: AI already rules in the new world order
Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, is at the center of the American offensive in Iran, with its technology forming part of the operational core of the military strategy. Palantir's system integrates information from multiple sources into a single platform, allowing for the identification of targets, evaluation of scenarios, and execution of operations with unprecedented speed. The entire process from target detection to strike execution is increasingly assisted by algorithms, reducing human intervention and resulting in a faster and more efficient war.
Federal government unveils new measures to combat extortion โ February 19, 2026
Finance Minister Franรงois-Philippe Champagne announced new measures to protect individuals and businesses from extortion, with FINTRAC mobilizing resources to combat extortion activities and improve information sharing with financial institutions and law enforcement. The government is establishing a new Canada Financial Crimes Agency and strengthening laws and enforcement tools to hold criminals accountable. The government is also strengthening consequences for serious offenses like extortion with tougher sentences.
Palantir extends reach into British state as it gets access to sensitive FCA data
Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, has been awarded a contract by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to analyze its internal intelligence data using Palantir's AI system, Foundry, to help tackle financial crime. This has raised concerns about the US AI company's deepening reach into the British state and potential privacy violations, as the data includes sensitive case intelligence, reports on problem firms, and data about the public. Palantir already has numerous UK public deals, including with the NHS, military, and police.
China's central bank governor vows more fintech crackdown - The Straits Times
Yi Gang, China's central bank governor, said China will continue curbing monopolistic behavior among Internet platform companies and strengthen consumer privacy and data security. The PBOC will strengthen regulation of the payments sector and require all financial services companies, including personal information businesses, to be licensed. He also stated that financial institutions should collect, use, and store information in strict accordance with the law.
Xi urges promoting healthy, orderly development of AI
Xi Jinping urged efforts to promote the healthy and orderly development of AI in a beneficial, safe, and fair direction. He emphasized leveraging the strengths of the system to achieve self-reliance and prioritize application-oriented development. Xi also noted the unprecedented risks and challenges AI introduces, calling for improved laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines to ensure AI is safe, reliable, and controllable.
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.
Leadership Lessons from a Life in Diplomacy | Quarterdeck
Diplomatic leaders influence others without formal authority by understanding stakeholder motivations, aligning interests with desired outcomes, and building credibility through consistency and expertise. This involves creating value for others, developing genuine relationships, and using persuasion rather than coercion to achieve objectives.
4 Strategies for Shifting the Power Balance in Your Business - HBS Online
The article discusses how leaders consolidate power by controlling resources and reducing dependence on other powerful entities. Companies consolidate market power by acquiring firms that offer similar services and products, creating dependence and increasing influence.
2025 DRCโRwanda peace agreement
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity on June 27, 2025, mediated by the U.S. The agreement aims to end the conflict between the two countries by calling for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the eastern DRC and for the Congolese government to end its support for the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia.
JUST IN: Carney Moves to Unite 40 Nations Against Trump's Trade War - YouTube
Mark Carney is reportedly building a trade alliance between the EU and CPTPP, potentially uniting 40 countries and 1.5 billion people. This is framed as a counter to Trump's trade policies, with Canada acting as a bridge power.
Is Israel a regional power or is its military prowess overhyped?
The article discusses the growing political discourse among Israeli leaders framing Israel as a regional power, alongside increasing regional recognition of its role in shaping security arrangements, particularly in response to shared threats like Iran. It also mentions Netanyahu's declaration on March 7, 2026: โWe have turned Israel into a regional power; all of this requires boldness, initiative, and the willingness to take risks.โ
'Let the man cook': Donald Trump praised for 'achieving peace' on the global stage
This article discusses Pakistan's nomination of US President Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his diplomatic intervention during the India-Pakistan crisis. It also mentions the Trump administration confirming a peace deal between Rwanda and the Congo, highlighting Trump's focus on achieving peace deals on the global stage.
The 10 Most Infamous Megalomaniacs Ever | Articles on WatchMojo.com
This article lists historical figures considered megalomaniacs, including Alexander the Great, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and leaders of the Kim Dynasty. These leaders exhibited extreme self-centeredness, a grandiose sense of their own importance, and a craving for excessive admiration, often demanding worship and controlling every aspect of their societies.
Faith, Power, and Politics: How Religious Fundamentalism is Fuelling Political Extremism
This article discusses the strategic alliance between fundamentalist religious leaders and political actors, particularly within the Republican Party, to advance a religious nationalist agenda. It highlights the Seven Mountains Mandate, which calls for taking control of key societal sectors to establish a society based on their biblical interpretation, blurring the line between church and state.