Palantir, the controversy, the contracts and the campaign against the FDP - The Lowdown
Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, is a data analytics firm specializing in AI technologies and software, commonly used by countries for surveillance, border enforcement, policing and warfare. Palantir is providing AI investigation tools to 11 police forces and was awarded a £240 million deal for “data analytics capabilities supporting critical strategic, tactical and live operational decision making across classifications” by the MoD.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai may have just 'warned' every AI company across the globe, says
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has weighed in on the ongoing debate in the industry on the AI bubble, issuing a stark warning regarding the current wave of AI investment. He stated that the tech giant sees “elements of irrationality” in the booming market and that “no company is going to be immune” if an AI bubble were to burst. Pichai expressed confidence in Alphabet's ability to weather potential turbulence due to its “full stack” model, with necessary infrastructure for training of AI models.
The AI Pulse: Pichai's Pay Linked to AI, Pentagon Deals & India's Sovereign AI Push | N18V
Alphabet has awarded CEO Sundar Pichai a pay package worth up to $692 million, with a large portion tied to whether its autonomous ventures Waymo and Wing increase in value over the next 3 years.
Putin hands over more power to FSB with new surveillance law - Dagens.com
A law coming into force on April 1 grants the FSB authority to obtain copies of organizational databases without a court order. Foreign companies still operating in Russia, including major banks, must ensure their systems can comply with such requests. The FSB is gaining broader access to data across multiple sectors, including corporate databases, telecom networks, and financial systems.
Hikvision introduces LinkVu: An integrated IoT & networking solution for SMB installers
Hikvision has launched LinkVu, an integrated IoT and networking solution for SMB installers, managed through the Hik-Partner Pro (HPP) platform. The solution includes cloud-managed networking products and uses AI for features like automatic wall recognition from floor plans, AP heatmap viewing, and camera coverage. The AR Port feature allows installers to scan a switch's QR code and view connected device information in augmented reality.
3 Men Charged With Conspiring to Smuggle US Artificial Intelligence to China - SecurityWeek
Three men were charged with conspiring to smuggle billions of dollars worth of computer servers containing advanced Nvidia chips to China, violating U.S. export control laws. The scheme involved diverting high-performance servers assembled in the United States to China between 2024 and 2025. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated that such schemes pose a direct threat to U.S. national security.
Chinese National and Two U.S. Citizens Charged with Conspiring to Smuggle Artificial Intelligence Technology to China - Department of Justice
Stanley Yi Zheng, along with two U.S. citizens, has been charged with conspiring to smuggle millions of dollars worth of export-controlled computer chips to China through Thailand. The scheme involved using Thailand-based companies as purported purchasers when the intent was to divert the AI chips to China. The charges include conspiring to commit smuggling and export control violations.
Planning to buy a CCTV camera? India is banning some Chinese companies starting April 1. Here's what you should know - The Economic Times
India is implementing new certification rules targeting global surveillance leaders Hikvision and Dahua. Dahua's business has contracted significantly, with the brand now restricted to selling obsolete analog cameras.
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.
Panregions Reborn: Macro-Geopolitics and the Path to Hegemony - Modern Diplomacy
This article discusses the reassertion of panregional consolidation, where large, self-contained spaces project political power, potentially leading to instability and hegemonic ambition. Each bloc seeks security through consolidation, generating insecurity elsewhere.
Military Quote of the Day: Sun Tzu Wrote 'Know Your Enemy' 2,500 Years Ago — Here Is How China Is Using It Against America Right Now - 19FortyFive
Rather than confronting the U.S. military head-on, Beijing is aggressively exploiting political divides and economic dependencies to subdue its greatest rival from the inside out. This Sun Tzu quote from The Art of War highlights that China can exploit U.S. political, economic, and technical vulnerabilities to win without direct conflict.
Interfaith Alliance Applauds Court Ruling Protecting Houses of Worship from Partisan Politics
Interfaith Alliance, advocating for multi-faith democracy, opposed a settlement that would have exempted religious organizations from the Johnson Amendment, which prevents them from endorsing political candidates. The court's dismissal of the case protects the separation of church and state, countering potential 'false prophet partnership' scenarios.
Stack 3/31/26 - John Dickerson
The Knesset voted and Defense Minister Katz announced a "Litani" plan, marking the first time Israel has mandated the death penalty (hanging) for a specific demographic and the first explicit declaration of long-term territorial annexation in Lebanon since 2000.
Texas judge rejects push to let churches make political endorsements
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to allow churches to endorse political candidates without losing tax-exempt status, impacting efforts to eliminate the Johnson Amendment. This ruling prevents pastors from more aggressively pushing politics through the church, maintaining the requirement that has been a mainstay of the U.S. tax code since 1954.
Trump renews threat to Iran's power plants as war sends oil prices soaring again
U.S. officials have invoked their Christian faith in support of the war, especially Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who recently prayed to have "every round find its mark".
IRGC takes de facto control of Iran government amid deepening power struggle
Rising tensions between the Pezeshkian administration and Iran's military leadership have pushed the president into a “complete political deadlock,” with the Revolutionary Guard effectively assuming control over key state functions. The IRGC has blocked presidential appointments and decisions while erecting a security perimeter around the core of power, effectively sidelining the government from executive control.
Gulf allies privately make case to keep fighting until Iran is decisively defeated
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. and its Gulf Arab allies are in sync about Iran, describing them as "religious zealots who can never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon because they have an apocalyptic vision of the future". Gulf allies, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are urging President Trump to continue the war against Iran, arguing that Tehran hasn't been weakened enough.