Exclusive: DHS could use AI everywhere, Mayorkas says - Axios
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that there is "not a domain" in the work of the Department of Homeland Security that couldn't be aided by AI. The agency's work at the border has become central to the 2024 campaign, and AI could bring it more efficiency, but also potentially more controversy.
Palantir CEO defends surveillance tech as contracts with US govt, including ICE, boost sales
Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp defended the company's surveillance technology, stating it has safeguards to prevent government overreach, as the company reported a significant increase in sales due to government contracts, including those with ICE. Palantir won a contract to develop surveillance systems for immigration enforcement and is marketing military-grade AI tools to businesses.
US government ramps up mass surveillance with help of AI tech, data brokers – and your apps and devices - Seattle PI
The U.S. government is ramping up mass surveillance with the help of AI tech and data brokers, purchasing massive amounts of commercially available data, including location histories, to track American citizens. Social media companies may have sent identifying data to DHS in response to subpoenas. The Trump administration's national policy framework for artificial intelligence urges Congress to fund “wider deployment of AI tools across American industry” and to allow industry and academia to use federal datasets to train AI.
DHS Announces New Artificial Intelligence Task Force - Security Today
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced the Department's first-ever AI Task Force and a Department-wide 90-day sprint to counter PRC threats. The AI Task Force will explore how AI could help with improving supply chain integrity, curbing the spread of fentanyl, protecting abused children, and defending critical infrastructure.
Former Palantir workers condemn company's work with Trump administration
Former employees of Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, are condemning the company's work with the Trump administration, particularly its contracts with ICE to provide "near real-time visibility" into the movement of migrants in the U.S.. They argue that Palantir's software, which uses AI to analyze data from various sources, is being misused in ways that violate the company's code of conduct.
Exchange Bank of Canada fined $2.46M by Fintrac for anti-money laundering failures
FINTRAC fined Exchange Bank of Canada $2.46M for anti-money laundering failures, with CEO Sarah Paquet stating the organization will be firm in ensuring compliance. The bank has filed a notice of appeal.
Federal government unveils new measures to combat extortion – February 19, 2026
FINTRAC, led by Sarah Paquet, will mobilize resources to combat extortion activities and improve information sharing with financial institutions and law enforcement. The government is investing to strengthen the RCMP and combat organized crime and financial crime.
Surveillance tech giant Palantir posts manifesto on X dealing with national service, post-World War II attitudes and diversity | The Independent
Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, posted a manifesto on X (Twitter) outlining its positions on various topics, drawing criticism and raising concerns about its role in government surveillance. Thiel also delivered a lecture series attacking the "woke" Pope and outlining theories on the Antichrist.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trump, Pope Leo XIV clash draws reaction from religious leaders
Tensions are escalating between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV after the president criticized the Chicago-born pope's stance on global conflict and shared a controversial AI image of himself as a religious figure. Religious leaders are reacting to the clash.
Is Anyone Really Loyal to Donald Trump Anymore? | by Lauren Elizabeth - Medium
President Donald Trump demands absolute loyalty from those around him and is not interested in bright minds that will challenge him and make him better, or improve his leadership abilities. Tucker Carlson decided to literally compare the President to the antichrist.