Your pension, Palantir's war machine - The Nerve
The UK's largest private pension scheme is facing calls to divest from Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, due to its controversial work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the US and its provision of targeting software to the US military. The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has a £45m stake in Palantir, and concerns have been raised about the company's products being used in the US military's war on Iran. Palantir's technology has been linked to violations of human rights and humanitarian law.
Exclusive: Ransomware newcomer claims breach of security camera firm Hikvision
Security camera firm Hikvision, partly state-owned and headquartered in China, is claimed to have been breached by a ransomware group. Hikvision devices are heavily used in state-run internment camps and have been linked to mass surveillance of China's Uyghur population.
Cyber Command, NSA nominee now double-blocked - Therecord.media
Sen. Ron Wyden is blocking a vote to confirm Timothy Haugh as head of U.S. Cyber Command and National Security Agency until the Defense Department acknowledges if the spy agency is buying the location data and web browsing records of U.S. citizens from data brokers. Wyden is a lead sponsor of a reform-minded FISA renewal bill that would close loopholes that allow data brokers to sell consumer data to law enforcement and federal agencies.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP): A Quest for Data Control
In 2015, President Xi Jinping identified the control of data as a key to the nation's ambitions. The CCP has implemented economic development initiatives, including the Digital Silk Road (DSR) plan, to increase China's exportation of surveillance technologies and digital infrastructure to developing countries. PRC laws grant the CCP the authority to collect data from Chinese companies.
Canada's financial intelligence agency aiming to provide crucial info in real time
Fintrac director Sarah Paquet says the agency aims to harness modern skills, tools and technologies to analyze data and produce intelligence in real time. Fintrac's digital strategy includes advancing automation, analytics and the use of artificial intelligence.
Canadian banks, pension funds have poured billions into ICE contractors - 570 News
Palantir, owned by Peter Thiel, supplies technology to ICE that helps it track individuals for detention and deportation. Stand.earth is calling on the Canadian federal government to launch hearings on corporate financial ethics in Canada, citing ICE's human rights record.
NSA, Cyber Command nominee says Section 702 is 'irreplaceable,' weighs in on other topics - Therecord.media
Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, the nominee to lead U.S. Cyber Command and the NSA, said Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is an irreplaceable authority for the intelligence community. Haugh vowed that the electronic spying agency would not weaken encryption technology.
Palmer Luckey Warns Silicon Valley Controls Democracy | Let's Data Science
Palmer Luckey, founder of defense contractor Anduril, stated that Google's 2018 exit from Project Maven and similar corporate refusals have concentrated power in Silicon Valley executives rather than elected officials. He highlights Anduril's growth and the deployment of autonomous systems in Ukraine and border operations, urging greater political oversight of private military influence.
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.
US-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'Can't expect pre-war rules …'- Iran plans to 'monitor' Hormuz with Oman as tensions continue to soar - The Times of India
Tensions are surging across the Middle East as the US-Iran conflict escalates, with the US Embassy in Baghdad warning of imminent attacks and urging American citizens to leave Iraq. Trump announced that American forces would intensify strikes on Iran, claiming that US operations had already severely weakened Iran's military infrastructure and that victory was near.
Christian Nationalists in US Government Push Attacks on Iran as Holy War | Truthout
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth used the phrase “Christ is King” at a convention of the National Religious Broadcasters, galvanizing Christian nationalists' thirst for authoritarian rulers. With Hegseth leading the Department of Defense, the line separating church and state is increasingly blurred, and he has been holding monthly prayer services since last May.
The Latest: Iran and Israel keep up attacks as Trump insists US will hit even harder
Trump stated “IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF WHAT STILL COULD BECOME A GREAT COUNTRY”. The Arab representative on the U.N.'s most powerful body, accused Iran of threatening the global economy by closing the Strait of Hormuz and restricting international navigation through the waterway.
Live Updates: As Iran war rages on and oil prices rise, Trump says U.S. "hasn't even started destroying what's left" - CBS News
The UN Secretary-General warned that the Middle East conflict risked spiraling into a wider war and called for an immediate halt to US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian attacks on its neighbors. The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council called for the U.N. Security Council to authorize the use of force to protect the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks.
FM endorses peace efforts in Middle East as Trump claims victories while threatening escalation - Global Times
China is seeking to advance its own diplomatic track for peace talks between the US, Israel and Iran, calling for an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilians. This comes as Trump claims military gains but offers little clarity on how the conflict will end, escalating the conflict does not serve any party's interest.
The Orbanisation of America: Hungary's lessons for Donald Trump
Viktor Orban has consolidated power in Hungary by seizing control of state institutions and the media, effectively creating an electoral autocracy. Republicans in the US have taken notice of Orban's success and are considering adapting his techniques to consolidate power in the US, potentially impacting European foreign policy and democracy.
Allies, Not Bedfellows: The Global Imperative of Political-Religious Boundaries
This article emphasizes the importance of maintaining boundaries between religious institutions and political structures to prevent corruption and ensure societal health. It highlights the need for collaboration without either becoming an instrument of the other, referencing Indonesia's Pancasila as a case study.
From Pariah to Power Broker: Pakistan's Rise as a Key Mediator in the Iran War
Pakistan's military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is credited with restoring the country's credibility on the global stage, leading to its emergence as a key mediator between the U.S. and Iran. Munir's direct engagement with global leaders, including meetings with Donald Trump, and Pakistan's assistance in capturing a suspect linked to the Kabul airport bombing have been pivotal. Pakistan has also signed a mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, further solidifying its regional influence.