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.
Met police in talks to buy Palantir AI tech for use in criminal investigations - The Guardian
The Metropolitan police in London are in talks with Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, to purchase AI technology for criminal investigations. The potential deal raises concerns about sensitive data processing by a controversial US company, as Palantir already supplies AI to Scotland Yard for detecting rogue officers.
Xi Jinping says economic growth plans must focus on manufacturing and technology | South China Morning Post
Xi Jinping emphasized that China should focus on advanced manufacturing and technology, avoiding sectors like finance and property to prevent economic bubbles. He also highlighted the importance of talent to upgrade the economy.
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.
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.
Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd.
More than 300 people from Hikvision—including the company's top executives, senior R&D leaders, and technical staff—have been taken away by Chinese authorities. The alleged reason is linked to incidents in which vulnerabilities in Hikvision's surveillance systems were exploited by the United States and Israel, leading to the elimination of Iranian officials. All Hikvision surveillance systems in China are now reportedly being replaced.
FinCEN Director Gacki encourages transparency in the US system - AML Intelligence
FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki discussed regulatory expectations and best practices to prevent financial crimes at the Financial and International Business Association's (FIBA) annual anti-money laundering conference. Gacki highlighted several FinCEN initiatives to enhance transparency in the U.S. financial system.
FBI Director Lays Out Bureau's Stance on Artificial Intelligence at Cyber Threat Summit
FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that cybercriminals are weaponizing AI and that the threat will worsen as machine-learning models become more sophisticated. Wray mentioned the FBI is examining ways to use AI to support its mission, such as triaging and prioritizing data collected in investigations, but also noted the risks of AI being used to generate deepfakes or malicious code.
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, 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, 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.
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's IRS Hands Churches and Preachers Major New Political Power - The Daily Beast
The Internal Revenue Service says pastors and churches endorsing political candidates should not lose their tax-exempt status. It comes amid a lawsuit brought against the IRS by two churches in Texas that have been pushing to overturn a ban, otherwise in place for decades, on religious and secular tax-exempt nonprofits.
US President Donald Trump has announced a historic 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as peace talks continue to end the conflict
US President Donald Trump has announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as peace talks continue. Trump invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House following the ceasefire announcement.
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.
Trump extends ceasefire as uncertainty over U.S.-Iran peace talks remains
President Trump extended the ceasefire in the war with Iran, despite earlier saying he wouldn't, and anticipates a 'great deal' with Iran. Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the U.S. negotiating team if talks resume in Pakistan.
Trump extends ceasefire, Iran says it won't go to Pakistan talks
Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran to allow for continued peace talks, following a request from Pakistan. This reverses his previous threats to bomb Iranian infrastructure.