Stephen Schneck, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, warns that oppressive regimes like China and Iran are increasingly using AI tools, such as facial recognition, to monitor and repress Christians and other religious groups. This development has created new ways for these governments to control religious practices. Schneck described this technology as “Orwellian” and urged faith communities to prepare mechanisms to counter it. His comments came ahead of the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion, which focuses on AI’s role in religious repression, highlighting the growing concern over global religious persecution.

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The U.S. Space Force has announced that one of its X-37B spaceplanes will conduct a series of aerobraking maneuvers, a first for the mini-shuttle, as part of its current Orbital Test Vehicle 7 (OTV-7) mission. These maneuvers will allow the spaceplane to adjust its orbit using minimal fuel by taking advantage of Earth’s atmosphere. The X-37B has been involved in advanced testing, including space domain awareness experiments, during this mission, which began in December 2023. This innovative maneuver showcases the Space Force’s commitment to enhancing space operations capabilities.

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More than 5,000 National Guard troops have been mobilized in preparation for Hurricane Milton, expected to make landfall near Tampa Bay as a high Category 3 or low Category 4 storm. The Florida National Guard, along with nearly 100 active-duty troops, are on standby to assist with storm response and recovery. The hurricane is predicted to bring destructive winds, storm surges, and flooding, with officials urging residents in evacuation zones to leave immediately. The military is closely coordinating with FEMA, and MacDill Air Force Base has also ordered evacuations.

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An Iran-backed website called “Not Our War” has been targeting U.S. veterans and active-duty service members with disinformation as part of a broader campaign to influence the upcoming U.S. elections, according to a report by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. The site, one of a network of about 20, presents itself as a legitimate news outlet while spreading pro-Iran propaganda and attempting to sow distrust in the U.S. election process and foreign policy. The campaign is reportedly part of a larger effort by foreign actors to undermine confidence in American democracy.

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Comcast has notified over 237,000 customers that their personal data may have been stolen following a breach of its former service provider, Financial Business and Consumer Solutions (FBCS). The breach, originating from a February 2024 ransomware attack, exposed names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information related to delinquent payment accounts. Initially, FBCS told Comcast that its customers were unaffected, but later investigations revealed otherwise. Comcast is offering affected individuals a year of free identity theft protection services.

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One year after the October 7th massacre, Israel continues to fight a multi-front war against Iran’s proxy armies, while commemorating the lives lost. At 6:29 a.m., the moment terrorists breached the border a year ago, President Isaac Herzog observed a moment of silence and called the attack a “scar on humanity.” Memorial ceremonies, led by bereaved families and local communities, are taking place across Israel. As pro-Israel demonstrations mark the anniversary, Prime Minister Netanyahu reminded the world of Israel’s ongoing fight against Hamas, Hezbollah, and other threats.

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Chinese government hackers have reportedly breached the networks of major U.S. Internet service providers, including Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen, potentially gaining access to systems used for court-authorized wiretaps of communication networks. According to The Wall Street Journal, the attack, attributed to the Chinese hacking group Salt Typhoon, may have also provided hackers with access to broader internet traffic. U.S. government agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security, are investigating the breach, which is suspected to involve China’s Ministry of State Security. Verizon has set up a war room in collaboration with the FBI, Microsoft, and Mandiant to address the situation.

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In the future, U.S. troops may control advanced military systems using devices similar to Xbox or PlayStation controllers. The Department of Defense has integrated these game-like handsets, including the Freedom of Movement Control Unit (FMCU), into several weapons systems. These include anti-ship missile platforms and laser weapons. Designed to be ergonomic and familiar to younger generations, these controllers leverage skills many service members already have from gaming. The shift underscores how gaming tech is shaping modern warfare.

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The U.S. Navy destroyers Bulkeley and Cole played a key role in defending Israel from Iran’s massive ballistic missile attack on Tuesday. Utilizing AEGIS weapons systems designed for missile defense, both warships successfully intercepted several missiles. Video footage released by the Navy highlights Bulkeley’s involvement as the ship operated in the Eastern Mediterranean. Pentagon officials confirmed that Israel intercepted the majority of the approximately 200 missiles, resulting in minimal damage and no casualties on the ground.

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In this article, escalating tensions between Israel and Iran come to the forefront as Israel prepares to retaliate for a major missile barrage launched by Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi have vowed retribution, emphasizing Israel’s capability to strike any target in the Middle East. Iranian leaders, in turn, warn of a more devastating response if Israel retaliates. The U.S. has urged restraint, but Israel appears set on a decisive military response, with potential consequences for the broader region, including U.S. involvement.

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In this article, CBN News reports on Iran’s launch of a major ballistic missile attack on Israel, with over 100 missiles targeting key cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The strikes come after Israel began a ground incursion into southern Lebanon, aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s terror infrastructure. While some missiles were intercepted, several made impact, escalating tensions further. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) clarified that the invasion is aimed solely at Hezbollah, not the Lebanese people. Despite calls for a ceasefire from President Biden, Israel continues its efforts to neutralize the threat.

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