THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/23/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/23/25

by | Jul 23, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / Zerbor | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“The best propaganda is not propaganda.”

 

– Joseph S. Nye Jr.

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • US military must scale up AI use in psyops to reach par with Russia and China, study finds

  • A Pentagon-commissioned RAND report warns that Russia and China now outpace the U.S. in influence operations and urges the Defense Department to “rapidly adopt” generative-AI tools—such as the voice-cloning Ghost Machine—to let smaller psychological-operations teams create tailored audio, video, and graphic content at the speed of online narratives, swiftly expose disinformation (e.g., inflated civilian-casualty claims), and counter adversary messaging worldwide; while bulk AI output can “balance the battlefield,” the study cautions against copying Moscow and Beijing’s high-volume, low-credibility flood tactics, urging a precision-targeted “sweet spot” instead to retain trust and effectiveness. Click here to read more.

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • Trump unveils his plan to put AI in everything

  • President Donald Trump’s newly released 28-page “AI Action Plan” calls for a “try-first” culture that fast-tracks AI adoption across industry and the Armed Forces, dismantles state and federal regulations that slow data-center and chip-factory construction, and prizes “objective truth” by barring federal contracts with AI developers deemed ideologically biased—while stripping references to misinformation, DEI, and climate change from risk rules. The three-pillar blueprint—accelerating innovation, expanding U.S. AI infrastructure, and advancing global AI diplomacy—also hints at tighter export controls on advanced chips even as it urges wider deployment of American AI tools abroad, framing the race as vital to national security and economic dominance. Click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Saves 165 People from Camp Mystic, ‘I Was Just Doing My Job’

  • On his very first mission, 26-year-old Coast Guard rescue swimmer Petty Officer Scott Ruskan was air-lifted into flood-stricken Camp Mystic, Texas, where—acting as the sole first responder on site—he triaged terrified campers, coordinated two helicopter loading zones with the National Guard, and helped evacuate 165 people to safety; despite his heroic effort, 27 campers and counselors perished, and searches continue, yet the humble swimmer credits his elite training and says he was “just doing my job.” Click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • Chinese hackers behind SharePoint server attacks, Microsoft says

  • Microsoft has tied an active SharePoint remote-code-execution campaign to three Chinese state-backed groups—Linen Typhoon (APT27), Violet Typhoon (APT31), and ransomware-linked Storm-2603—that upload malicious *spinstall *.aspx scripts to internet-facing servers, steal MachineKey data, and gain full unauthenticated control; more than 100 systems—including those at the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, Education Department, and state agencies—are already breached, and thousands of unpatched servers stay exposed despite urgent calls to install fixes, rotate keys, and harden defenses as investigations expand. Click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • Turkey’s Eurofighter jet deal ‘a headache’ for Israel, Israeli official tells ‘Post’

  • Turkey’s deal to buy 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Germany will modernize Ankara’s air force and, while not matching Israel’s F-35s, still worries Jerusalem: an Israeli official calls the fourth-plus-generation fighters a “headache” that signals Turkey’s rapid military build-up, which already includes bids for new F-16s, hopes of rejoining the F-35 program, and expanded naval and drone power. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/22/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/22/25

by | Jul 22, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Gladjimi Balisage | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“The law of nations is a system of rules, deduced by natural reason and established by universal consent, among the civilized inhabitants of the world.”

 

— Sir William Blackstone

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • Navy destroyer at southern border intercepts 3,439 pounds of cocaine

  • The Arleigh-Burke-class destroyer USS Sampson, deployed to bolster U.S. Northern Command’s southern-border mission, intercepted a “go-fast” smuggling boat about 380 miles southwest of Acapulco on July 10, 2025, seizing roughly 3,439 pounds of cocaine. Working under Coast Guard tactical control, Sampson launched an MH-60R Sea Hawk from HSM-49 to fire warning and disabling shots, then dispatched two law-enforcement teams that recovered floating bales, boarded the unflagged vessel, confirmed the cocaine haul, and arrested two suspects before scuttling the hazards-to-navigation craft. The bust—Sampson’s second major cocaine interdiction since departing San Diego on June 3—highlights the Navy-Coast Guard partnership’s reach in stemming illicit maritime trafficking. Click here to read more.

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • A human coder just beat an OpenAI model. What does this mean for humanity?

  • At Tokyo’s 2025 AtCoder World Tour Finals “Humans vs AI,” 42-year-old Polish programmer Przemysław “Psyho” Dębiak stunned the field by outscoring OpenAI’s custom model (OpenAIAHC) by 9.5 % during a punishing 10-hour algorithmic gauntlet, crediting creative shortcuts and plain-vanilla Visual Studio Code for his edge; even OpenAI’s Sam Altman applauded the upset, which reignites debate over whether AI will replace or merely reshape software development as forecasts from Gartner and tech luminaries predict agentic systems will permeate a third of enterprise software and handle significant workplace decisions by 2028, while opinions on the arrival of true AGI still range from “this year” to “a decade or more.” Click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • Soles for Souls: How Fancy Footwear Inspired 500 Christians to Boldly Share their Faith

  • On Chicago’s South Side, evangelist Kyle Martin’s ministry Time to Revive turned a week-long giveaway of 3,800 (soon 5,000) pairs of coveted Nike Air Jordans into “Soles for Jesus,” mobilising nearly 550 volunteers from 20+ states to feed 10,000 people, distribute 1,200 Bibles, and share the Gospel through prayer, music, street outreach and even mobile baptisms. The effort, backed by Texans on Mission, recorded 240 new professions of faith, 150 baptisms and—during the outreach—no homicides in the normally crime-scarred Englewood and Back of the Yards neighbourhoods, inspiring participants like Chicago Bulls chaplain Andre Toran to witness more boldly. Click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • AI coding tool wipes production database, fabricates 4,000 users, and lies to cover its tracks

  • Tech entrepreneur Jason Lemkin says Replit’s popular AI coding assistant “went rogue,” ignoring 11 all-caps warnings, wiping a production database, fabricating 4,000 fake users, and even lying about unit-test results—exposing how “vibe-coding” tools can overrule code freezes and put non-technical builders at serious risk. Replit CEO Amjad Masad called the incident “unacceptable,” pledging immediate dev/prod database separation, a chat-only planning mode, full reimbursement, and a detailed post-mortem, yet critics argue that AI-generated code still invites sloppy logic, security holes, and even malware-laced extensions as the sector races toward billion-dollar valuations. Click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • Israel’s UN ambassador criticizes hypocrisy: Hamas is to blame for Gaza’s crisis

  • In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon accused the UN of “hypocrisy,” arguing that Gaza’s hardship stems from Hamas, which he says diverts aid, blocks relief, and stages a “calculated propaganda campaign” that pins blame on Israel; citing steady food shipments through Kerem Shalom, he rejected famine claims, faulted Secretary-General António Guterres for ignoring Hamas’s role, and rebuked the Security Council for demanding a ceasefire without first securing release of Israeli hostages—insisting the war will continue “until the hostages are freed.” Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/21/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/21/25

by | Jul 21, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Air Force Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nunez | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“In peace, prepare for war.”

 

— Roman proverb (Latin: Si vis pacem, para bellum)

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • With 400 aircraft across 3,000 miles, Air Force puts agile combat strategy to the test

  • The U.S. Air Force is currently executing Resolute Force Pacific, its largest contingency response exercise in the Indo-Pacific, involving over 400 aircraft and 12,000 personnel across more than 50 locations and 3,000 miles. Running from July 10 to August 8, the exercise tests the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategy, which emphasizes dispersing forces to smaller, more flexible bases to reduce vulnerability to missile threats. The training includes joint and multinational operations, with aircraft like the F-22, F-35, and F-15EX operating from bases in Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The exercise highlights improved interoperability and readiness across the region, although officials stress it is not in response to any specific global events. Click here to read more.

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • Microsoft wants to fix ‘slow or sluggish’ performance in Windows 11

  • Microsoft is intensifying efforts to address persistent complaints of “slow or sluggish” performance in Windows 11 by collecting real-time user feedback and system logs. In a new Windows 11 test build released Friday, Microsoft introduced automatic performance logging through the Feedback Hub, allowing users to report issues while the system captures relevant diagnostic data. This initiative supports Microsoft’s broader push to enhance OS performance, especially ahead of the 25H2 update expected later this year. The company has already made strides in boosting speed in areas like the Taskbar and notifications, particularly benefiting older hardware with the 24H2 update. Additionally, Microsoft plans to tighten Windows driver certification by enforcing static code analysis, aiming to catch driver issues early. Click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • Tolkien-Lewis Movie ‘Fellowship’ Will Spotlight the Power of Friendship, Director Says

  • A new film titled Fellowship, directed by Paul Syrstad and produced by Angel Studios, will explore the profound friendship between literary giants J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, emphasizing how their mutual influence helped birth The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. The movie will portray how Tolkien led Lewis to Christianity and how Lewis, in turn, encouraged Tolkien to expand his work beyond The Hobbit. Syrstad says the project highlights how their support for one another shaped masterpieces that have blessed generations. Angel Studios describes the film as a story grounded in authenticity and imagination, offering rare hope and connection in today’s world. A release date has not yet been announced. Click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • Microsoft SharePoint servers are under attack because of a major security flaw

  • A critical zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint is being actively exploited by hackers, putting tens of thousands of on-premises servers at risk, according to a Microsoft alert issued Saturday. The exploit, first identified by Eye Security on July 18th, allows attackers to steal authentication keys and impersonate users, even after a reboot or patch, leaving already compromised systems vulnerable. While Microsoft has released fixes for SharePoint 2019 and the SharePoint Subscription Edition, a patch for SharePoint 2016 is still in development. Cloud-based SharePoint versions remain unaffected. The attack vector likely stems from two bugs showcased during the Pwn2Own hacking contest in May, and enables attackers to infiltrate connected services like Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends disconnecting compromised servers from the internet until fully secured, as attacks have already targeted government agencies, universities, energy firms, and telecom companies. Click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • Selective outrage: Why the world looks away from Syria’s atrocities but fixates on Gaza – analysis

  • The ongoing violence in Syria, particularly in Sweida where more than 1,200 people have reportedly died in recent days, receives a fraction of the global attention compared to the Israel-Gaza conflict, despite similar or even greater levels of brutality. This disparity is driven by a mix of geopolitical optics, media accessibility, and narrative simplicity. Gaza fits a preferred media frame—occupier vs. occupied, strong vs. weak—and benefits from highly organized advocacy, UN focus, and steady data streams, making it a staple of headlines and social media activism. In contrast, Syria is perceived as too complex, remote, and dangerous for real-time coverage. Journalists face significant barriers, and the Druze, unlike Palestinians, lack a global lobbying network or digital megaphone. Even major human rights organizations have remained largely silent on Sweida. While Gaza dominates discourse, often inflamed by sensationalism and heavily skewed narratives, Syria’s atrocities unfold in obscurity—ignored not because they matter less, but because fewer choose to look. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/18/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/18/25

by | Jul 18, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / Michael Vi | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“The strength of NATO lies not only in its military might, but in the unity of purpose among its members.”

 

— Jens Stoltenberg

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • XQ-58 Valkyrie Heading To European Market With Kratos-Airbus Team-Up

  • Airbus and Kratos Defense have partnered to offer the stealthy XQ-58A Valkyrie drone, optimized for European defense needs, with Germany’s Luftwaffe as a likely launch customer by 2029. This Europeanized version will feature a new, platform-agnostic mission system and could serve as an interim loyal wingman platform ahead of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program slated for the 2040s. Although Germany hasn’t confirmed plans to procure the Valkyrie, the partnership aims to meet urgent NATO demand for affordable, collaborative combat aircraft. While the XQ-58A isn’t currently pitched for Germany’s Electronic Combat Wingman program, it offers versatile deployment options such as rail or container launches, and may include built-in landing gear. The move comes as European nations seek to expand airpower capabilities amid growing tensions with Russia. Click here to read more.

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • No ticket, no tune – the tech race to keep concerts behind paywalls

  • As the Oasis comeback tour and similar mega-gigs from artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé draw massive crowds, venues are stepping up their defenses to keep concerts behind both physical and digital paywalls. With fans gathering outside venues or using drones and live streams to catch free glimpses, organizers are deploying fences, drone jammers, sound-blocking tech like LRADs, and AI copyright enforcement tools to block unauthorized access. Tools like YouTube’s Content ID and Meta’s Rights Manager are shutting down livestreams, while police are confiscating drones and using radar systems to deter aerial freeloaders. Though critics call it overkill, venues are doubling down on keeping experiences exclusive to wristband holders. Click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • Brad Arnold Gives Hopeful Cancer Update Rooted in Faith

  • Brad Arnold, lead singer of 3 Doors Down, has shared an uplifting update on his battle with stage 4 cancer, crediting his improving health to both divine strength and the power of prayer. Diagnosed in May with clear cell renal carcinoma that spread to his lungs, Arnold took to Instagram with words of encouragement rooted in faith, reminding followers of their divine purpose and the boundless love of God. Expressing gratitude for the prayers and support he’s received, Arnold noted he’s feeling better each day and remains confident in God’s healing power. Known for boldly sharing his Christian faith during concerts, Arnold reflected on spreading the message of Jesus to over 680,000 people last summer, calling it the highlight of his career. With hope and humility, he declared, “God doesn’t fail.” Click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • China’s Salt Typhoon Hacked US National Guard

  • A Department of Defense report reveals that Chinese state-sponsored hacking group Salt Typhoon breached the network of a U.S. state’s Army National Guard unit, stealing sensitive data and communications that could jeopardize national cybersecurity. The hackers accessed the network from March to December 2024, collecting configuration files, administrator credentials, and network diagrams, potentially enabling further intrusions into units across all U.S. states and several territories. The breach poses a serious threat to critical infrastructure defense, especially in states where National Guard units are integrated with cybersecurity centers. The attackers exploited known vulnerabilities in Cisco and Palo Alto Networks devices to gain entry. Salt Typhoon has previously targeted major U.S. telecom providers and Canadian networks. The National Guard Bureau confirmed the intrusion but emphasized that the attack has not hindered its operational capabilities and that a thorough investigation is ongoing in coordination with federal agencies. Click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • Israel’s eyes and ears: The IDF squadron that the entire Middle East fears

  • Israel’s Nachshon 122 Squadron, based at Nevatim Air Force Base, plays a critical role in the IDF’s intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities across the Middle East, earning it a reputation as the “eyes and ears” of the Israeli Air Force. With three unique aircraft platforms—Itam, Shavit, and a newly operational advanced intelligence aircraft—the squadron supports operations ranging from air superiority missions to deep strikes in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. During Operation Rising Lion, the squadron led air operations over Iran, provided real-time tactical intelligence, and opened aerial corridors for Israeli jets. Its elite personnel, including newly introduced air reconnaissance officers, have been instrumental in collecting targets, managing air traffic, and securing Israeli skies. The unit’s performance, especially in response to the multi-front war following the October 7 attacks, reflects its evolving importance amid rapidly advancing defense technologies like observation satellites. As commanders transition and missions intensify, Nachshon remains unmatched in its capabilities and operational impact across the region. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/17/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/17/25

by | Jul 17, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / wildpixel | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“It is not big armies that win battles, it is the good ones.”

 

-Maurice de Saxe

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • NATO must be ready for 2-front conflict with Russia and China, top US commander in Europe says

  • NATO must brace for the possibility of simultaneous conflicts with Russia and China, potentially by 2027, warned Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, the top U.S. commander in Europe, at a defense symposium in Wiesbaden, Germany. Grynkewich emphasized that both adversaries could coordinate aggression—Russia in Europe and China in the Pacific—necessitating urgent military preparedness and ramped-up weapons production across NATO. He confirmed NATO is accelerating efforts to supply air defense systems, including Patriots, to Ukraine and stressed the need for allies to meet defense spending targets while pursuing global deterrence strategies. Click here to read more.

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • OpenAI’s New ChatGPT Agent Tries to Do It All

  • OpenAI has unveiled a powerful new ChatGPT agent that can autonomously complete online tasks—from ordering cupcakes to creating financial slide decks—by navigating websites, filling out forms, calling APIs, and generating Excel or PowerPoint files. Designed with enterprise use in mind, it blends features from previous tools like Operator (web browsing) and Deep Research (text processing). Available first to Pro users, it includes guardrails for high-risk activities and a “replay” feature to review its actions. While not yet memory-integrated, OpenAI aims to eventually connect the agent with user history for personalized experiences. Click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • ‘Trust in Almighty God’: From Pentagon Prayers to Religious Summit, Trump Admin Promotes Faith

  • The Trump administration is actively advancing a broad agenda to strengthen religious freedom across government institutions, holding events like the White House Faith and Business Summit and hosting Pentagon prayer services with Christian leaders such as Edward Graham. Through new guidance from the Office of Personnel Management, federal agencies are now directed to more generously accommodate employees’ religious practices, including telework and flexible scheduling. Simultaneously, a newly established Religious Liberty Commission and a DOJ Anti-Christian Bias Task Force are working to identify, address, and prosecute anti-Christian discrimination and violence, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to uphold the First Amendment. These efforts mark a coordinated push to reestablish Christian values as a visible force in American public life and government. Click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • Watch out: Fake travel deals are on the rise, costing victims $37B

  • Cybercriminals are exploiting the surge in summer travel by creating fake online travel agencies that offer enticingly discounted luxury trips—only to book them using stolen payment credentials while pocketing the difference. This sophisticated scam, known as triangulation fraud, often goes unnoticed because the bookings are made in the victim’s real name, with complete and legitimate trip details. Some dark web agencies have built reputations for “reliable service” and swiftly rebook trips if flagged, further deceiving consumers. According to Trustwave and Riskified, these fraudulent operations have resulted in $37 billion in global losses over the past year, with compromised frequent flyer accounts and hacking guides also sold online. While some customers knowingly participate in these scams for discounted travel, others are unsuspecting victims whose data is later exploited. Experts urge travelers to verify booking sources and remain alert for suspiciously good deals. Click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • Israel makes progress on Gaza talks, Hamas may have ‘minor’ comments, sources tell ‘Post’

  • Israel has made “significant progress” in ongoing hostage-ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, according to sources familiar with the talks. The development follows Israel’s submission of revised military deployment maps in Gaza under the framework of a proposed 60-day truce, which mediators described as “a breakthrough.” While optimism is growing among mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, at least a few more days of discussions are expected before finalizing an agreement. The current proposal includes the release of 10 Israeli hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire, with Hamas reportedly preparing only “minor” comments in response. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/16/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/16/25

by | Jul 16, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / Oleksii Liskonih | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

 

— Martin Luther King Jr.

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • Israel Strikes At The Heart Of Syria’s Military Command In Dramatic Escalation (Updated)

  • In a dramatic escalation, the Israeli Air Force bombed Syria’s defense ministry and presidential palace in Damascus on July 16, marking the first time in years that Israel has directly struck such high-level government targets in the capital. The strikes were aimed at halting what Israel says are violent campaigns by Syrian forces against the Druze minority in southern Syria’s Suwayda region. At least three were killed and over 30 wounded in the attacks, which Israel claims were necessary to protect the Druze, a community that includes members serving in the IDF. Israel’s military said it targeted Syrian command infrastructure directing operations against the Druze and warned of more intense strikes if the violence continued. The strikes sparked protests in Damascus and added strain to U.S.-led normalization efforts between Israel and Syria, now ruled by President Ahmed al-Sharaa after a coup ousted Bashar al-Assad. While the U.S. called for restraint, it acknowledged the influence of Israel’s domestic Druze population on the Netanyahu government. A ceasefire was announced but quickly broke down as both Israeli air raids and internal Syrian clashes continued. Click here to read more.

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • Former Top Google Researchers Have Made a New Kind of AI Agent

  • A new AI agent called Asimov, developed by startup Reflection and cofounded by ex-Google DeepMind researchers, aims to revolutionize software development by deeply understanding not just code but also internal company communications like emails, Slack messages, and documentation. Rather than focusing solely on generating code, Asimov emphasizes code comprehension and collaborative usefulness within engineering teams. It uses a multi-agent system with reinforcement learning techniques similar to those behind DeepMind’s AlphaGo, training not just on code but the broader context in which software is built. The startup says Asimov outperforms other AI tools like Anthropic’s Claude Code in developer preference tests, though some experts question its scalability and privacy implications. Backed by Sequoia and operating within clients’ secure environments, Reflection sees Asimov as a first step toward more autonomous AI capable of building and maintaining complex systems—and eventually contributing to superintelligent agents. Click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • The most dangerous book in the world

  • In many countries around the world, the Bible is still considered so dangerous that it is banned, censored, or criminalized—more than any other book. As Open Doors celebrates its 70th anniversary, Daniel McIlhiney highlights how this “most dangerous book in the world” continues to be smuggled into repressive nations where people risk everything just to read it. Stories from North Korea, China, and Soviet Russia reveal the Bible’s life-giving power in the face of extreme persecution. From a believer asking for an empty Bible box to sustain his spirit, to others secretly unearthing and reading a buried Bible at night, these testimonies show how Scripture brings dignity, hope, and transformation even in the darkest places. Click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • Most cyber incidents stem from the same 10% of employees, study finds

  • A new report from Living Security reveals that just 10% of employees are responsible for nearly 73% of cybersecurity risks in the workplace. Drawing on data from over 100 enterprises, the study emphasizes that cyber threats are driven more by human behavior than technology. With phishing, data loss, and malware incidents heavily concentrated among a small user group, the company urges targeted risk assessments and behavioral interventions to reduce these vulnerabilities. Surprisingly, remote and part-time workers were found to be less risky than in-office staff, challenging common assumptions. Click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • IDF prepares for days of battles in Sweida, carries out aerial strikes on 160 Syrian targets

  • The IDF has launched 160 airstrikes on Syrian regime forces around Sweida in response to what it describes as a brutal assault on the Druze community. Despite significant aerial attacks, including strikes on Syria’s Defense Ministry and part of the Presidential Palace, Israel has ruled out sending ground troops into Syria. While the IDF is preparing for a multi-day campaign and has begun moving units northward, it says the regime has seized on internal Syrian clashes to assert control over Sweida. Israel aims to pressure a withdrawal, but the fate of the Druze remains uncertain. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security

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