by NETPRAETOR | Jul 4, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN
Image Credit: iStock / RomoloTavani | Imagery Disclaimer
Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.
“Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”
-John Adams
I. Independence Day on the Eve of the Semiquincentennial
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On the eve of America’s semiquincentennial, National Review reflects on the nation’s extraordinary 249-year journey from its declaration of independence to its current “middle age.” The editors praise the founding ideals that remain timeless: equality, unalienable rights, and government by consent of the governed. Drawing on the wisdom of Calvin Coolidge, they argue these truths cannot be discarded, no matter how modern society becomes. As America approaches its 250th birthday, they encourage pride and confidence in the enduring values that have guided its progress and resilience. Click here to read more.
by NETPRAETOR | Jul 3, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN
Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.
“We must be the great arsenal of democracy.”
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.
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House passes Trump megabill with $150 billion in military funding
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The House has narrowly passed President Trump’s sweeping megabill by a vote of 218-214, combining tax cuts, health care reforms, immigration measures, and $150 billion in defense funding. The package includes $113 billion in mandatory military funding, pushing the Pentagon’s total budget close to $1 trillion for the first time. The bill funds priorities like shipbuilding, homeland defense, and precision weapons replenishment. Despite criticism over splitting the defense budget into two parts, lawmakers advanced it, though a continuing resolution is still expected for the next fiscal year. Click here to read more.
II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.
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Here are the letters that convinced Google and Apple to keep TikTok online
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A Freedom of Information Act request revealed letters from the US Department of Justice to tech giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon, reassuring them they wouldn’t face penalties for keeping TikTok online despite a law banning US web services from supporting it. These letters, signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi and her predecessor, promised legal protection and intervention against any enforcement attempts. The communications aimed to calm fears of massive fines under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which seeks to force a TikTok sale. Trump has since extended enforcement delays through mid-September. Click here to read more.
III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.
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Did you know: The Declaration of Independence is a deeply religious document?
- As America celebrates another July 4th, Jerry Newcombe reminds us that the Declaration of Independence is deeply rooted in faith, mentioning God four times and reflecting a profound sense of dependence on divine providence. Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and other Founders saw God as the source of our rights and freedoms, rejecting totalitarian ideologies that denied them. From natural law to an appeal to the “Supreme Judge of the World,” the Declaration not only declared independence from Britain but also affirmed trust in God’s sovereignty. Click here to read more.
IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.
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Putin’s keyboard warriors are waging war on Europe
- Pro-Russian hacktivist groups like NoName057(16), Dark Storm Team, and the newly emerged IT Army of Russia are intensifying cyberattacks on Europe, forming new alliances and targeting NATO allies in a digital front of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. These hackers deploy DDoS attacks, deface websites, and steal data, often suspected of operating with Russian state backing. As European rearmament and geopolitical tensions grow, experts warn these cyber operations could become even more aggressive, further destabilizing critical infrastructure. Click here to read more.
V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.
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Hamas expected to respond to hostage deal within coming hours, sources tell ‘Post’ – exclusive
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Hamas is expected to respond within hours to a Qatar-mediated hostage deal proposal based on the Witkoff framework, sources told The Jerusalem Post. The plan includes a 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies, and the freeing of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Talks to end the war would continue during the ceasefire. Israeli officials say that even if Hamas agrees, proximity negotiations over details will be difficult. Click here to read more.
by NETPRAETOR | Jul 2, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN
Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.
“The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemy’s.”
-Napoleon Bonaparte
I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.
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Pentagon assesses Iran’s nuclear program set back up to 2 years by US airstrike
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The Pentagon says recent U.S. airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites have set Iran’s program back by up to two years, according to spokesman Sean Parnell. Operation Midnight Hammer, carried out June 20–21, involved seven B-2 bombers dropping bunker-busting bombs on Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. Parnell described the strikes as “completely obliterating” key sites, though intelligence suggests Iran preserved some enriched uranium by moving it beforehand. The International Atomic Energy Agency estimates Iran could resume enrichment within months, despite severe damage. The Pentagon, however, maintains the strikes severely degraded Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Click here to read more.
II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.
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Meta launches AI app, Zuckerberg chats with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at developer conference
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Meta has launched a new standalone AI app, built on its Llama 4 system, aimed at competing with OpenAI’s ChatGPT while incorporating social media features like a “discover” feed to share user interactions. The app also connects to Facebook and Instagram accounts to offer personalized experiences. At Meta’s LlamaCon developer conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg spoke with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about the rapid growth of AI and its long-term impacts on productivity, drawing parallels to past technological shifts like electricity. Meta continues to offer its AI products open source, used by more than a billion people each month. Click here to read more.
III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.
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Thomas Jefferson’s ‘Declaration of War’ Resonates with Hope as America Celebrates Independence
- As America celebrates another Independence Day, Colonial Williamsburg brings Thomas Jefferson’s revolutionary spirit to life through powerful reenactments and storytelling. Actor Kurt Smith, who has portrayed Jefferson for a decade, highlights how the Declaration of Independence was both a declaration of war and an expression of hope. Visitors in Williamsburg are reminded that liberty comes with responsibility and that Jefferson’s complex legacy — from championing freedom to grappling with the contradiction of slavery — still resonates today. With authentic buildings, artifacts, and passionate interpreters, Colonial Williamsburg helps modern Americans reflect on what it truly means to be free and self-governing. Click here to read more.
IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.
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A Group of Young Cybercriminals Poses the ‘Most Imminent Threat’ of Cyberattacks Right Now
- A group of mostly young cybercriminals known as Scattered Spider is now seen as the “most imminent threat” to critical infrastructure, experts warn. These English-speaking hackers, linked to the wider Com network, specialize in social engineering — tricking help desks or creating fake sites to breach networks — then deploy ransomware or extort data. After a quiet period following arrests last year, Scattered Spider has surged back, hitting UK retailers, North American insurers, and airlines in recent weeks. Analysts say the group’s fluid structure and ties to underground communities make it hard to deter, calling their marketplace-like operations highly resilient. Click here to read more.
V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.
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It is time to end the war and defeat Hamas for good – opinion
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In a powerful opinion piece, the author argues that now is the moment to end the war and finally defeat Hamas for good. After enduring renewed terror from Iran and living with the trauma of the October 7 attacks, Israelis cannot accept a fragile ceasefire while Hamas still holds power and 50 hostages remain in captivity. The writer highlights Israel’s recent military successes against Hamas and Iran but insists true peace is impossible as long as Hamas controls Gaza. With signs of Hamas losing its grip, a Western-backed humanitarian foundation breaking its extortion-based rule, and Arab states possibly moving toward normalization with Israel, the author urges bold leadership to force Hamas to disarm. Only then, they argue, can Palestinians and Israelis alike hope to rebuild their lives and pursue a real, lasting peace. Click here to read more.
by NETPRAETOR | Jul 1, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN
Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.
“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”
-Mark Twain
I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.
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Squid-Inspired Camouflage May Help Soldiers Evade Sight and Sensors
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Remember Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak? Turns out Mother Nature patented it first: squid skin. UC Irvine and the Marine Biological Laboratory copied the long-fin inshore squid’s disco-ball “iridophores” to make a stretchy, mood-ring fabric that flips colors
and hides heat signatures—so future soldiers can play intergalactic hide-and-seek with both eyeballs
and thermal cameras. Funded by DARPA (which apparently watched too much
Finding Nemo), the proto-poncho works while flexing, sweating, or doing burpees, meaning you could soon rock cephalopod couture that changes camouflage faster than you can say “calamari.”
Click here to read more.
II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.
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Can the music industry make AI the next Napster?
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AI-generated music could be headed for its own Napster moment: armed with decades of iron-clad case law on sampling, a tight licensing regime, and just a few powerhouse labels, the record industry is suing song-making startups Suno and Udio for training their models on copyrighted tracks without permission—arguing that the practice robs artists of licensing revenue, floods Spotify-style platforms with low-grade “background” noise, and threatens the everyday musicians who score ads, YouTube videos, and chill-beats playlists; with courts already hinting that unlicensed training and sound-alike outputs can’t hide behind fair-use, and some AI firms quietly inking pricey music deals while others scramble, the fight may decide whether generative-AI companies pay up or go the way of Napster…click here to read more.
III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.
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Messianic Jews in Jerusalem Return to Worship Together After Weeks of Iranian Missiles
- After a tense 12-day stretch spent sheltering from Iranian missiles, Jerusalem’s King of Kings Community joyfully reopened its doors on July 1, gathering Messianic Jews and Gentile believers (plus worshippers from 17 nations online) to thank God for the ceasefire, salute the IDF, pray for traumatized civilians, persecuted Iranian Christians, hostages still in Gaza, and a coming “great Aliyah,” while vowing to shine as “lights” amid uncertainty—and even reviving plans for a mid-July kids’ camp so young hearts can swap sirens for songs of hope. Click here to read more.
IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.
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US Storms 29 Laptop Farms in Crackdown on North Korean IT Worker Schemes
- The US Department of Justice just mounted a coast-to-coast sweep against North Korean “laptop farms,” raiding 29 sites in 16 states, freezing 29 money-laundering accounts and 21 websites, and unsealing indictments that link $88 million in illicit earnings—and even stolen US defense tech—to remote IT contractors posing as Americans; one New Jersey man, Danny Wang, allegedly raked in $5 million for Pyongyang via 80 stolen identities, while separate charges say North Korean coders pocketed $900 k in crypto from a Georgia blockchain firm before washing it through Tornado Cash, underscoring how fake résumés, AI masks, and unwitting US facilitators have turned Fortune 500 payrolls into a secret funding stream for the DPRK. Click here to read more.
V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.
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Huckabee thanks God at Western Wall for ‘miracles granted’ to Israel during Iran war
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On July 1 2025, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited Jerusalem’s Western Wall to offer a prayer of thanks for what he called the “miracles granted” to Israel during Operation Rising Lion, meeting privately with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz and Western Wall Heritage Foundation director Mordechai Eliav to express America’s steadfast support; Huckabee also delivered a personal letter of appreciation for President Donald Trump and extended an invitation for the president to visit the sacred site, before touring the Western Wall Tunnels and reflecting on the enduring historical and spiritual bonds that unite the United States and Israel—
click here to read more.
by NETPRAETOR | Jun 30, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN
Image Credit: iStock / Carmen K Sisson | Imagery Disclaimer
Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.
“Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous patience.”
-Admiral Hyman Rickover
I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.
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Pentagon awards $5 billion contract to speed up ship manufacturing
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The Pentagon has awarded a $5 billion contract to six companies under the Maritime Acquisition Advancement Contract (MAAC), aiming to accelerate ship manufacturing for the U.S. Navy. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, with five one-year $1 billion options, could total up to $10 billion. The deal will support building and supplying parts for ships such as Virginia-class submarines, carriers, destroyers, and unmanned systems. The Navy is under pressure to modernize and speed up shipbuilding, adopting new tools like augmented reality systems and 3D printing to boost efficiency. Click here to read more.
II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.
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Apple CarPlay Ultra hands-on: more continuity, less disruption
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In a hands-on look at Apple’s new CarPlay Ultra, drivers can expect a more seamless, integrated experience that goes beyond mirroring their phones. Available on iPhone 12 and newer with iOS 18.5, CarPlay Ultra supports multiple in-vehicle displays and even controls like climate settings and drive modes, marking a major leap from the original 2014 CarPlay. Launching first in Aston Martin’s DBX707 SUV, the system shows how carmakers are embracing deeper tech partnerships to deliver premium, connected experiences. Click here to read more.
III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.
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Peace in turbulent times: 12 Bible verses to anchor your soul
- In a world shaken by war, disaster, and fear, believers are reminded that God’s peace is greater than any crisis. Drawing on 12 Bible verses, this reflection encourages Christians to anchor their hearts in the unchanging promises of God, whose presence brings calm even in the fiercest storms. From John 14:27 to Philippians 4:6–7, these verses remind us that peace is not the absence of hardship but the assurance of God’s nearness and care. Though the world trembles, God’s peace stands firm for all who trust Him. Click here to read more.
IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.
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Microsoft kicks antivirus out of Kernel to stop next tech apocalypse
- Microsoft is launching the Windows Resiliency Initiative to prevent another meltdown like last summer’s CrowdStrike fiasco, which crashed 8.5 million Windows devices and disrupted critical sectors worldwide. The initiative will move antivirus and endpoint protection software out of the operating system kernel to user mode, reducing the risk of a single point of failure taking down the entire OS. The changes roll out in July to select security partners. Microsoft also plans to retire the traditional “blue screen of death,” replacing it with a streamlined black error screen for easier recovery. Click here to read more.
V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.
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Netanyahu to visit Washington on Monday, source tells ‘Post’
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington on Monday, following Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer’s meetings there, as Israel weighs further action in Gaza. The visit comes after President Trump urged a hostage deal with Hamas and criticized Netanyahu’s corruption trial, saying it disrupts crucial negotiations. Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support, adding, “Together, we will make the Middle East Great Again.” Netanyahu last met Trump in April to discuss Gaza, hostages, and new U.S. tariffs on Israel. Click here to read more.
by NETPRAETOR | Jun 26, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN
Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Army Capt. Frank Spatt | Imagery Disclaimer
Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.
“Those troops… stood between a salvo of Iranian missiles and the safety of Al Udeid. They are the unsung heroes of the 21st-century United States Army.”
-Gen. Dan Caine
I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.
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Largest Patriot Missile Salvo In U.S. Military History Launched Defending Al Udeid Air Base Against Iranian Attack
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In the wake of Iran’s retaliatory missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base, U.S. forces launched the largest Patriot missile salvo in American military history to defend the site, which had been largely evacuated in anticipation of the strike. Just 44 Army soldiers, supported by Qatari crews and backed by cutting-edge interceptors from Korea and Japan, remained to operate the Patriot batteries. According to Gen. Dan Caine, the coordinated defense neutralized multiple incoming ballistic missiles, demonstrating the system’s evolution thanks to battlefield data from Ukraine and Saudi Arabia. Despite the success and zero casualties, the event underscored both the valor of air defenders and the limits of U.S. air defense capacity amid rising threats. Click here to read more.
II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.
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Poaching spree: Meta hires three OpenAI researchers
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In a bold move to revive its faltering AI strategy, Meta has poached three top researchers—Lucas Beyer, Alexander Kolesnikov, and Ziaohua Zhai—from OpenAI’s Zurich office, all formerly of Google DeepMind. This follows CEO Sam Altman’s earlier claim that OpenAI’s top talent had rejected Meta’s massive $100 million signing bonuses—now contradicted by this high-profile defection. As Meta scrambles to regain footing after the underwhelming release of its latest language model, Mark Zuckerberg is personally assembling a “superintelligence” team, reshaping headquarters, investing billions, and even attempting to recruit AI luminaries like Ilya Sutskever and Nat Friedman. Click here to read more.
III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.
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Mac Powell Says Third Day’s 30th Anniversary Tour Is a Celebration of God’s Faithfulness
- In a heartfelt reunion after more than a decade apart, Christian rock pioneers Third Day are reuniting for a 30th Anniversary Tour that frontman Mac Powell calls a celebration of “God’s faithfulness.” Powell, alongside original members Mark Lee, David Carr, and Tai Anderson, says the tour isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a spiritual milestone honoring the band’s journey from a Georgia youth group to Grammy-winning success. With a two-hour set list spanning their entire discography, and Zach Williams opening, Powell promises fans both beloved hits and deep cuts. Tickets go on sale June 27. Click here to read more.
IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.
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Hawaiian Airlines hit by cyber attack
- Hawaiian Airlines confirmed it was hit by a cyberattack that disrupted some of its IT systems, though flights remain unaffected and are operating as scheduled. The airline, now owned by Alaska Air Group, referred to the incident as a “cybersecurity event”—a term often linked to ransomware attacks—without disclosing specifics. The Federal Aviation Administration stated there was no impact on flight safety and that it is closely monitoring the situation. A company rep responded to media inquiries via a Gmail address, raising further questions about internal disruptions. Click here to read more.
V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.
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‘Tehran is beautiful from above, I hope to visit one day’ Israeli pilot says after strike on Iran
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In a powerful post-operation reflection, an Israeli Air Force navigator—known only as A.—recounted his experience during Operation Rising Lion, a campaign Israel says struck key elements of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Called to action on a moment’s notice, A. described the emotional weight of secrecy, the precision required for deep penetration strikes, and the surreal beauty of flying over Tehran. Despite the mission’s intensity, he voiced hope for peace, closing with a heartfelt message in Farsi to the Iranian people. “We are not at war with you,” he said. Click here to read more.
